What is an Anti-puncture Liquid for Tyres?

Posted on: Aug 13, 2024 | 3 mins | Written by: HDFC ERGO Team

What is an Anti-puncture Liquid for Tyres?

Tyre punctures at any point are awkward and troublesome, to say the least. However, with advanced technology, you can now minimise the effects to a certain extent by using anti-puncture liquid for cars. It is a special chemical mixture that is proven to be highly effective and safe.

In this article, we will highlight all the significant aspects of anti-puncture liquids for cars and the best manner to use them.

What is anti-puncture liquid for tube and tubeless tyres?

Anti-puncture liquid for cars is also termed a tyre sealant. This is a specific chemical liquid which remains added to the tyres of vehicles for sealing and preventing punctures. This chemical is primarily a clever compound of resins and polymers combined with several chemicals that can easily solidify, plugging tiny holes in the affected tyre(s) as they come in contact with natural air.

This sort of anti-puncture liquid is essentially most suitable for tubeless tyres. However, depending on the circumstances, you can even use this anti-puncture liquid for tube tyres.

How do the liquid for an anti-puncture work?

From the above discussion, we can have a basic idea of the actual working purpose of an anti-puncture liquid in the vehicle. It forms a thin layer of sealant on the interior of the punctured tyre and prevents the tyre air from going out so that you eventually do not get a flat tyre.

The working strategy of an anti-puncture liquid is as follows:

1. As soon as there is a puncture in any tyre, this liquid comes out automatically to act as a sealant, solidifying quickly and preventing the tyre's air from going out.

2. This either completely prevents or at least minimises the air loss, keeps the tyre inflated for a longer time and prevents a flat tyre.

The primary purpose of this anti-puncture liquid is to deliver a temporary repair for the punctured tyre and prevent air leaks and flat tyre situations. It coats the inside of the affected tyre and happens to remain in a liquid state, always prepared to seal any further punctures. One of the most convenient advancements is the anti-puncture liquid, even for tubeless tyres.

What benefits does an anti-puncture tyre liquid offer?

By now, we can understand that anti-puncture liquid is one of the most helpful car products. Some of its most significant advantages include the following:

1. Anti-puncture liquid for cars offers an immediate solution in the case of a tyre puncture. It saves you from the awkwardness and hassles of a flat tyre situation. You can drive safely to the nearest workshop for repairs.

2. This anti-puncture liquid eases the driving process to a significant extent and makes it all the more comfortable. It acts as an instant solution on the puncture and you need not have to hunt for it.

3. There is no need to detach the affected tyre for inserting this liquid chemical sealant. You can easily pump this fluid into the concerned tyre without hampering its position.

What are the cons of using an anti-puncture tyre liquid?

Although the anti-puncture liquid for cars is highly effective and helpful in emergencies, there are certain drawbacks to it, too. Some of the major disadvantages of anti-puncture liquid include:

1. This chemical liquid sealant acts as a temporary sealing solution so that the puncture does not affect you much on the road while driving. This cannot be mistaken to be a permanent solution. You need to visit the workshop and get proper repair and replacement done as necessary.

2. As this sealant comes in contact with the air, it solidifies immediately, sealing the puncture hole. However, this causes a slight wheel imbalance and undesired vibrations. It impacts the wheel's handling, too. Therefore, it is best to avoid high speeds under such circumstances as it will increase this difficulty further.

3. This sort of tyre sealant runs the risk of clogging the valve stem. This restricts proper tyre inflation and potentially affects the stem.

4. Certain types of anti-puncture liquids even affect the Tyre Pressure Monitoring System, eventually causing improper readings or failure of the entire system.

5. Tyre sealants are sticky and are difficult to clean. Incorrect application may lead to tyre leaks, running the risk of damaging other components of the vehicle.

Does the tyre get ruined with an anti-puncture liquid?

If you follow the guidelines as laid down by the respective manufacturer properly while applying the anti-puncture liquid, it is generally considered to be safe and does not cause any harm to the tyre or the vehicle whatsoever. These sealants act as a temporary sealing solution so that you can safely drive to the nearest workshop or garage to get it repaired or replaced.

However, under certain circumstances, this usage of this sealant might prove to be harmful and risky:

1. In case there is a puncture on the sidewall of the tyre or you have been driving for some time on a flat tyre, then applying this sealant is not a feasible option. Under such circumstances, the tyre gets already damaged well, and applying the sealant at that point might lead to the rise of other issues.

2. If this sealant gets improperly applied the tyre is not well inspected and the repairs are done at the right time, this may cause tyre damage.

FAQs

1. What is the usual tenure of an anti-puncture liquid for cars?

This period is determined by temperature, humidity, casing thickness of the tyre, riding frequency, road conditions, and location, along with the total number of punctures sealed so far. Under standard circumstances, a sealant lasts between 2 and 6 months.

2. Is it necessary to clean the excess sealant from the tyres?

Yes, it is best to clean the excess sealant before starting your tyres. In the case of regular sealants, a simple rag wiping is enough. However, in the case of race sealants, you need water to rinse and then wipe it off. Dry race sealant stiffens the tyre, impacting its overall performance.

Conclusion

Anti-puncture liquid for cars is a temporary solution that protects the tyres for the time being. To ensure the overall protection of your vehicle, investing in car insurance is vital and mandatory as per the legal standards. You can go for basic third-party insurance or a more extensive comprehensive insurance plan.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purposes only. For more details, please refer to the policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

How to Fix a Tubeless Tyre Puncture?

Average Life of Car Tyres: When to Change Car Tyres?

8 Car Maintenance Tips For Beginners To Save Time and Money!

Tyres 101: Everything You Need to Know about Tyres

Spruce up your car with these essentials