How does a tyre mobility kit work?

A tyre mobility kit, also known as a tyre repair kit or puncture repair kit, is a compact and convenient solution for temporarily fixing a flat tyre on the go. These kits allow drivers to quickly seal small punctures in their tyres, enabling them to continue their journey without the need for a full tyre replacement.

What is a Tyre Mobility Kit?

A tyre mobility kit typically contains a sealant canister and an air compressor. The sealant is a liquid substance that is injected into the tyre through the valve stem, while the air compressor is used to inflate the tyre to the proper pressure. This combination allows the driver to seal the puncture and reinflate the tyre, enabling them to drive to a tyre repair shop or their destination.

How to Use a Tyre Mobility Kit

• Locate the puncture in the tyre and clean the area around the valve stem.


• Attach the air compressor to the tyre's valve stem and turn it on to fully inflate the tyre.


• Attach the sealant canister to the valve stem and inject the sealant into the tyre.


• Detach the sealant canister and air compressor, then drive for a short distance to allow the sealant to spread and seal the puncture.


• Check the tyre pressure and add more air if necessary to reach the recommended level.

It's important to note that tyre mobility kits are designed for temporary use only and should not be considered a permanent solution. The sealed tyre should be inspected and repaired or replaced as soon as possible by a professional tyre technician.

Benefits of Using a Tyre Mobility Kit

Tyre mobility kits offer several advantages over traditional spare tyres or roadside assistance:

• Convenience: Tyre mobility kits are compact and easy to store in a vehicle, taking up much less space than a spare tyre.


• Faster Repair: The sealant and air compressor allow for a quick and simple tyre repair, often taking just a few minutes to complete.


• Continued Mobility: With a tyre mobility kit, drivers can continue their journey without the need to change the tyre or wait for roadside assistance.


• Cost-Effective: Tyre mobility kits are generally less expensive than the cost of a new tyre or a roadside assistance call.

While tyre mobility kits are a useful tool for addressing minor tyre punctures, it's important to remember that they are not a permanent solution. Drivers should still have their tyres inspected and repaired by a professional as soon as possible after using a tyre mobility kit.

Why is my car saying service tire mobility kit?

A "Service Tire Mobility Kit" (TMK) warning means the vehicle's built-in system is telling you to inspect or replace the components of the emergency tire repair kit, which has either expired or reached a preset service interval. This kit typically includes a sealant and an air compressor to temporarily fix a puncture, allowing you to drive to a repair shop, and the warning is often triggered by time, not mileage. To clear the message, you usually need to inspect the kit for an expiration date or reset the maintenance timer through the vehicle's settings menu. 
What the warning means

• Maintenance alert: This is a reminder to check and maintain the emergency tire repair kit. 
• Expired sealant: The sealant inside the kit has an expiration date and will need to be replaced, regardless of its actual use. 
• Timer-based: The warning may be a pre-programmed service reminder that occurs after a set period (e.g., 1, 2, 3, or 4 years) to ensure the kit's components are fresh. 

What to do when you see the warning

1. Locate the kit: Find the TMK in your vehicle, which is usually in the trunk under the floor or in a storage compartment. 
2. Inspect the components:
   • Check the expiration date on the sealant canister and replace it if it's expired. 
   • Make sure all the parts, including the compressor and hose, are present and in good condition. 
3. Reset the service reminder: 
   • Navigate to the vehicle's settings menu on the instrument panel or infotainment screen. 
   • Find the "Tire Mobility Kit" or a similar service setting and reset the timer. 
   • You may be able to change the service interval to a different time period if you wish. 

Important considerations

• Temporary fix: The kit is for temporary repairs only, allowing you to drive a short distance to a professional repair shop. Do not rely on it for long-term use. 
• TPMS sensors: Using the sealant can sometimes damage the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) sensor in your wheel. 
• Not for all damage: The kit is not effective for large punctures or damage to the tire's sidewall. 
• Purchase a spare: Many owners choose to purchase a spare wheel and tire as a more reliable alternative, especially since the kit's sealant can be messy and ineffective. 

How does a tire mobility kit work?

A tire mobility kit works by using a compressor and a sealant to temporarily repair a small puncture and reinflate a tire, allowing you to drive to a repair shop. First, you connect the sealant canister to the compressor and the compressor's hose to the flat tire's valve stem. The compressor then pumps the sealant and air into the tire simultaneously, and after a few minutes, you drive slowly to help the sealant spread, then recheck and adjust the pressure. The kit is only effective for small, tread-area punctures and provides a temporary fix, not a permanent one.
 
This video demonstrates how to use a tire mobility kit: 56sHyundai AustraliaYouTube · Dec 6, 2022
How to use a tire mobility kit

1. Locate the kit: Find the kit, typically in the trunk or under a seat, and make sure the tire warning light is off. 
2. Prepare the sealant: Shake the sealant canister and attach the compressor's hose to the sealant bottle and the bottle to the compressor housing. 
3. Connect to the tire: Screw the compressor's filling hose onto the flat tire's valve stem. 
4. Power up the compressor: Turn on the car's ignition and plug the compressor into the car's 12-volt power outlet. Turn on the compressor and let it run for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until the recommended pressure is reached on the gauge. 
5. Distribute the sealant: Drive slowly for a short distance (around 10 minutes at speeds between 20-80 km/h) to let the sealant spread inside the tire. 
6. Recheck and adjust pressure: Stop and check the tire pressure again. Adjust it as needed using the compressor, and re-inflate for a few seconds if it's too low. 
7. Drive with caution: The repair is temporary. Drive at a reduced speed (max 80 km/h) to a service center to have the tire replaced or permanently repaired. 

You can watch this video to learn how to use a tire mobility kit with a Ford vehicle: 1:30Roesch FordYouTube · Feb 18, 2025
Limitations of the kit

• Small punctures only: The kit is designed for small punctures on the tire tread, not the sidewall. 
• Temporary fix: The kit provides a temporary solution that enables you to reach a repair shop, not a permanent repair. 
• Single use: The sealant canister is for one-time use only. 
• Tire sensor replacement: The tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) sensor and the valve stem will likely need to be replaced after use, as the sealant can get inside them. 

Is tire plugging illegal?

Our research uncovered no laws in the U.S. (federal or state) that says plugging a tire is illegal. There are right ways and wrong ways to plug a flat tire -- and industry best practices for when, where and how to plug a flat, but no laws that we are aware of.

How long can you drive with a tire mobility kit?

After ensuring that the tire is properly sealed, you can drive cautiously on the tire (for a distance of up to 200 km (120 miles)) at maximum speed of 80 km/h (50 mph) in order to reach a service station or a tire dealer to have the tire replaced.