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If I get a flat tire in UK what’s my options?

Discussion in 'The UK and Ireland' started by Sixer, Jan 16, 2020.

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  1. Jason71

    Jason71 Active Member

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    I went for this one (stop and go) since it seemed the system for actually inserting the plug was the most practical. Also had very good reviews

     
  2. Rajanm1

    Rajanm1 Member

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    Safer to go like for like as you don't know what the wires would be able to handle or get something like this which would be much easier :p
    12V Li-Ion Mini Air Compressor
     
  3. Rajanm1

    Rajanm1 Member

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    Where was that just out of interest?
     
  4. Generator

    Generator Member

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    I’ve used this type (mushroom plugs - as shown above) twice now. Very effective, and can be installed without taking the wheel off the car, but only just.

    On both occasions the rear tyres picked up the punctures, and on both occasions the hardest part was getting the offending penetrant out of the tyre. The first was a wood screw, which refused to budge with pliers so I borrowed a screwdriver to unscrew it. The second puncture was a piece of metal that I think used to be a clip for holding on a wheel balancing weight (oh the irony). That took twenty minutes to remove with a pair of pliers, mainly due to the very restricted amount of space in which to work when the wheel is still on the car.

    Once the items are removed plugging the holes takes seconds. They hold air reasonably well too.

    The only downside to these plugs is that they will only accommodate a certain size of hole. The alternative kits with part cured rubber strings can be used to plug up enormous holes and tears to get you out of a bind that the mushrooms cannot.

    If you’ve fitted mudguards, beware. With a flat tyre on 20”rims the amount of room to work in is tiny. On 18”s the car will be sat an inch lower down on a flat tyre, so keep a tool in the car to remove the mud flap as well.
     
  5. Rajanm1

    Rajanm1 Member

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    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Slime-20464-Tyre-Plug-Kit/dp/B00C5TJ1MM/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=tyre+plug&qid=1601978912&sr=8-6

    That's the one I used to plug mine
    Also have flaps and top tip is move the car or roll the wheel so you can easily work on the puncture from the back without taking the wheel off if you can!
    Never done this before but managed to fix the puncture and was fully air tight in about 15 mins or so! Very impressed by the £5 kit, someone else's video I watched to see how to do it
     
    • Like x 1
  6. Alistairuk

    Alistairuk Member

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    From what I can see from the few times it’s mentioned in this thread the issue with the Tesla tyre repair kit isn’t so much that it doesn’t work - but more that it will f**k up your tyre...

    This doesn’t seem any different to the kit that my previous car had - use as a last resort of your in the middle of nowhere with no phone coverage as it will allow you to get to your destination or at least a garage but will require replacement of the tyre...

    Assuming my assumption here is correct and given that Tesla are selling the thing for the model 3 - all variations of which have various sizes of acoustic foam tyres - that if you find yourself with a puncture in a random road in the middle of nowhere and your breakdown / Tesla roadside can’t get to you for whatever reason at least you have a backup to allow you to drive to somewhere you can get it fixed properly. Even if that will require a completely new tyre.
     
  7. exlatccatsa

    exlatccatsa Supporting Member

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    Whilst despatching on my trusty BMW K100 RT in the '80s and '90s I always used to carry some self tapper screws to put in the, mostly rear tyre, to hold pressure whilst I rode slowly home.
     
  8. Js1977

    Js1977 Member

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    Thats the one!

    I actually had a tyre repaired with an identical kit many years ago (20 or so) by a tyre shop and was impressed by how easy. Never had a problem with that tyre since.

    Had the same sort of plug on my first bike(rear tyre) when i bought it ( a bandit 650 ) ten years ago but from previous experience it did not concern me and I went on to ride it (sometime like I stole it) for a full year and no problems there either.

    Thanks for the link. Bought! :)
     
    • Like x 1
  9. AndyS3

    AndyS3 Member

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    Borrow a multi meter or dc clamp and measure the start up current and running current. Fit fuse with 20% greater of the max current. You could also fit a time delay (T) fuse if there is a large starr current but lowish running current
     
  10. Generator

    Generator Member

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    Gunk based repair kits also tend to have a deleterious effect on tyre pressure monitoring sensors....
     
  11. kuruma

    kuruma Member

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    I assume that was for me! Thanks.

    I've just ordered a set of 10A T glass fuses. I have got a multimeter but not sure how to go about measuring the start up and running current. Got a link vid to show me how to do that? I couldn't find one. Cheers.
     
  12. AndyS3

    AndyS3 Member

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    If the air compressor has crocodile clips for direct battery connection. Its easy to add the meter in series with the positive feed.

    Usually multi meters, you place the control in DC amps, move the black lead to Amps connection. If your meter has peak hold feature it will store the maximum current flow.

    Its a little more difficult if there is only a cigarette lighter connector. The circuit has to be broken for the meter to fit inline- thats why DC clamps are so convenient for easy measurements
     
  13. Neilman

    Neilman Member

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    Problem with a lot of digital multimeters is those that do have a high-DC-current range may be limited to 10A max anyway and may or may not have its own internal 10A protection fuse.
    You may also find that measuring high currents is only allowed for a very short time duration because the current shunt in the multimeter gets hot. I have a meter with an unfused 20A range which is marked 10-second max in 15 minute period (to allow cooling).
    If your tyre inflater gizmo is blowing 10A fuses then there may be more current pulled than the meter can handle and measure so a bit of a suck-it-and-see situation.

    Clamp meters are best at high currents though DC-Amps clamp meters are expensive. The AC clamp meters are quite cheap but no good for DC.
     
  14. kuruma

    kuruma Member

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    no clamps, but I threw another 10A T glass fuse in and it fired up and did the tyres fine. It's the first time it's blown in a year of use so hopefully just a one off.
     
  15. Sean.

    Sean. Member

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    I pack one of these Milwaukee M12 tyre inflators in the boot. Already got a bunch of Milwaukee’s finest cordless in the garage so battery etc easy. Runs for ages and is probs the fastest inflator I’ve used. Not exactly cheap, but a pleasure to use. Great for a slow leak/screw etc when you need to top off before you can repair.
     

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  16. Mr H

    Mr H Active Member

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  17. MadScientist

    MadScientist Member

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  18. Bantam

    Bantam Member

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    #118 Bantam, Oct 20, 2020
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 20, 2020
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  19. Neilda

    Neilda Member

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    Good tip - have just ordered this. Thanks.

    I have other cars that have no spare, but I think the Tesla is a bit more problematic in terms of jacking up etc. So this kit makes sense.
     
    • Like x 1
  20. Billbrown1982

    Billbrown1982 TM3 LR 2021 | Red | FSD

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    This isn't like those other "repair sprays" that ends up ruining your wheel though right?
     

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