Tyre sealant kits: what they can and cannot do

Check what the vehicle actually supplies

Locate the kit, instructions and expiry information while the vehicle is safely parked. Confirm that the compressor and power connection are present and that the product is intended for your tyre and vehicle. A second-hand car may have an incomplete kit or an expired bottle.

Keep the instructions with the equipment. A different aerosol or bottle is not automatically an equivalent replacement for the original product. Ask the manufacturer where compatibility is uncertain.

Understand temporary mobility

Michelin describes sealant as temporary assistance and recommends professional assessment afterwards. A seal may reduce a leak in eligible circumstances, but it does not establish the tyre’s internal condition. Driving while low or flat may have caused damage that the kit cannot undo.

Follow the product’s own speed, distance, checking and stop-use instructions. Do not use a general internet allowance to extend its limits, and do not continue simply because the tyre held pressure for a few minutes.

Know when the kit is the wrong solution

Do not try to use sealant to fix a bulge, exposed reinforcement, a seriously damaged sidewall or a damaged wheel. The manufacturer’s instructions define eligible injury and use conditions. Where those conditions are not met or cannot be established, arrange suitable assistance.

A compressor is not proof that a suspect tyre should be inflated. If you are unsure about damage or the tyre has been run flat, professional assessment is the appropriate next step.

Keep roadside safety ahead of the kit

An emergency kit does not justify working beside a live motorway lane. Do not attempt repairs on a motorway, and do not walk around the traffic-facing side to identify the injury. Arrange the official response and a suitable location first.

Away from a motorway, the position still needs to be safe. Tell the assistance provider if you cannot safely reach the tyre. Missing information is better than a photograph or measurement obtained at personal risk.

Tell the tyre professional what was used

Product / kit used:
Expiry information, if known:
When it was used:
Affected tyre and original symptoms:
Any driving while low or flat:
Distance travelled since use:
Current pressure / warning, if safely known:

Keep the product packaging or a safe photograph available. Do not conceal sealant use because it appears to have worked. It can affect the assessment and preparation for tyre work.

Arrange the permanent next step

A competent repair provider can assess whether a suitable permanent repair is possible under the relevant standard and manufacturer instructions. Sealant use alone neither approves nor automatically rules out every repair. The actual tyre has to be assessed.

Fix My Tyre offers replacement only. If you choose or need a compatible replacement, disclose the kit use and vehicle history when calling. Once the incident is resolved, replace consumed kit items and check that the vehicle again has its intended puncture provision.

Common questions