Does using Tesla Tyre Repair kit require you to pull the nail out first?

[mathewparet@gm]

I've never had a flat on my Tesla yet but my colleague was on vacation and she had a flat. She didn't have a tyre repair kit or a spare and had to wait for about 10 hours at -13°.

That got me to think about the Tesla Repair Kit I bought from the Tesla website.

I read the manual an it looks simple though I do have a question. Should I remove the nail out whatever that causes a puncture first before applying the sealant? Or is it as simple as just plugging it in and applying the sealant and then drive to a repair shop for replacement?

 

[Icey]

-13???
Not in Australia mate at this time of year.
Anyway, depending on the size, if it under 3mm you can remove it but not recommended , anything over you wouldn’t want to as the slime can’t fill it

 

[moa999]

And a small nail with a slow leak is probably best just pumping up and driving carefully to the nearest shop who might then be able to properly repair the tyre.

If you use the sealant it basically sticks to the foam and makes the tyre useless.

Imo Tesla would have been better including a classic rope and poke style kit.

 

[gaswalla]

don't overthink it mate... hole in rubber with a nail... goop goes into the hole. if nail still there, hole still there.. the goop buys you time, it's not a repair

 

[Goneincognito]

Chances are that if use the sealant, you will need a new tire regardless of if the puncture is repairable or not.|
You are better off getting a plug kit.

 

[mathewparet@gm]

Not in Australia mate at this time of year.

She's in Canada for her vacation

 

[mathewparet@gm]

Anyway, depending on the size, if it under 3mm you can remove it but not recommended , anything over you wouldn’t want to as the slime can’t fill it

That's what I thought

 

[Vostok]

You are better off getting a plug kit.

Absolutely - I am totally sold on plug kits after doing my first plug last year. I have the Tesla tyre pump and repair kit too, but I’d only use it if everything else failed. And frankly anything I couldn’t plug probably couldn’t be fixed by the goop either.

 

[paulp]

And a small nail with a slow leak is probably best just pumping up and driving carefully to the nearest shop who might then be able to properly repair the tyre.

If you use the sealant it basically sticks to the foam and makes the tyre useless.

Agree with this, and it is how I have managed 5 tesla punctures

 

[johnchidgey]

Absolutely - I am totally sold on plug kits after doing my first plug last year. I have the Tesla tyre pump and repair kit too, but I’d only use it if everything else failed. And frankly anything I couldn’t plug probably couldn’t be fixed by the goop either.

Is there a specific Plug Kit you’d recommend? Also I’m assuming you plugged them yourself?

 

[Vostok]

Is there a specific Plug Kit you’d recommend? Also I’m assuming you plugged them yourself?

Yes I plugged the tyre myself. It was a front tyre which is a bit easier, since you can turn the wheels to fully expose the puncture. The counter-intuitive bit was reaming the puncture hole to make it bigger so that I could insert the plug. Without doing that, I could not push the plug in no matter how hard I pushed.

Plug Kits are all pretty similar from what I can tell, and not very expensive. Even the “pro” or “heavy duty” ones are about $50. They usually all come with the insertion tool, reamer tool, plugs and rubber cement at a minimum. Additional to that, it’s a good idea to get cut-resistant mechanics gloves for grip/protection, long nose pliers to remove whatever caused the puncture, and a retractable knife to trim the plug after insertion.

I got the plug kit below. You can get more expensive ones where the insertion and reaming tool have metal handles and everything comes in a pretty box.

https://www.repco.com.au/4x4-adventure-escape/tyre-care/tyre-repair/slime-tyre-repair-plugger-reamer-kit-pistol-grip-2040-a/p/A9263437

 

[snellenr]

Is there a specific Plug Kit you’d recommend? Also I’m assuming you plugged them yourself?

I've done it a couple times, and would highly recommend a kit with T-handles on the reamer and plug inserter. Even after "lubricating" the tools with the repair liquid, it can take a lot of force to push the tools into and through the tread. My current kit is the Slime 1034-A repair kit - it's an old-style "standard" kit (not their fancy inflator/fluid gadget) with tools, plugs, and tire cement and the tool handles have held up very well.

 

[johnchidgey]

Thanks guys!

 

[positiv]

Is there a specific Plug Kit you’d recommend? Also I’m assuming you plugged them yourself?

I've used the cheapest one from Kings (the automotive 4WD store). It's can be a little difficult to do but the repair is damn near permanent.

 

[gm12]

100% on using a tyre plug kit, instead of goo. Those plugs are easy and will outlast the tyre.

 

[aegidius]

I don't think I'd leave any foreign object in the tyre for any length of time. It could do further damage as the wheel turns. Plug it if you can and you might save the tyre. I have driven thousands of km on a plugged tyre but did have to put up with a very slow leak.

But be careful of damage near or in the sidewall. As luck would have it my last screw puncture was at the edge of the sidewall (I had a spare so didn't have to drive on it) but the tyre place said definitely no plug for you.

 

[dronus]

I've used the cheapest one from Kings (the automotive 4WD store). It's can be a little difficult to do but the repair is damn near permanent.

Ive used the supercheap auto one on my 4wd, sedan and trailers which is probably similar. Hsndy bit of kit and easy to just put in the boot just in case.