When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I am planning a road trip early this summer to go visit family in Arizona. I plan to put new tires on my XKR before leaving. With that being said, I remember our cars don't come with a donut size spare and leads me to ask the question, should I replace my can of tire sealant ( C2D47106) in case I get a puncture? Does the tire sealant have a shelf life? I wouldn't imagine the air compressor would go bad but will also check that.
Just get one of these kits: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stop-Go-Poc...kAAOSwa8NeWYXU
I got one a couple of years ago and so far I have used it twice, works great and is a piece of cake to use.
It should only be used for nail/screw punctures in the "meat" of the tread and not in or near the sidewall, but a can of sealant is much the same anyway.
If you are lucky the puncture is plainly visible and you can plug it without even having to remove the wheel from the car.
Then all you need is a tire inflator, I just use the OEM one that came with the tire sealant kit (plug into 12v socket), but plenty of others out there for cheap.
Or else you can get the version which comes with four CO2 canisters: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Stop-N-Go-I...sAAOxyVaBS1ohy
The sealant has an expiry date (I think it's 5 years) on the label if you are seriously considering using it. Tyre Repairers here in the UK won't touch a wheel that has had sealant used so it's effectively a new tyre required.
I carry a mushroom plug kit:
If that won't fix it, the car goes on a recovery truck.
The sealant has an expiry date (I think it's 5 years) on the label if you are seriously considering using it. Tyre Repairers here in the UK won't touch a wheel that has had sealant used so it's effectively a new tyre required.
I carry a mushroom plug kit:
If that won't fix it, the car goes on a recovery truck.
Graham
The exact same kit I linked to!
I forgot to add, you also need something to remove the offending nail or screw such as a pair of pliers.
Others have suggested a pair of sidecutters instead of pliers (easier to get under the half buried head of a screw) but I carry both.
Definitely get the plug kit, if you use the sealant the wheel is basically done as what you are left with is a wheel with a sticky goo inside. As Graham said no shop will want to deal with the mess.
A plug kit assuming you can find and/or reach the smallish hole as TO repair it.
TO???
Anyway it's not vital that you can find the nail or screw without removing the wheel, but if you can that will save you a bit of time and labour.
Easy enough to remove the wheel and then inspect the tyre to find the puncture and plug it, that's what I did the first time.
Easier again in the comfort of your garage rather than on the side of the road.
Weird as two tyre places I've asked will repair a tyre with goo in them, they just charge you three times as much as said it's a mucky/lengthy job and they prefer quick turnaround/profit scenarios. Depends if you catch them at a quiet or busy time and if they have an apprentice there that day!
I had a nail discovered in one of my rear 7mm MPS4's 295's at MOT last October by the best known/infamous tyre place in the UK, not only did they do the British Standard repair, but didn't charge me
Use a water based sealant medium and no such issues:
When most of us are 295 width tyres we're going land a few more nails and screws than the average road going user so a punctured kit on had is a good idea however not much we can do if we suffer a buckled rim on the road
I'm confused-- I have 20-inch wheels, and a spare (which I've used). I'm certain I didn't have that wheel repair kit. And I have my window sticker so I know the wheels I have came with the car.
My 2009 XKR Portfolio convertible came from the factory with the Alcon Performance Brake Package and no spare tire. Instead, it came with an emergency inflator kit and a molded carpet liner in the rear spare tire well. That carpet liner must be removed for the spare to fit - and it's a tight fit. Here's how everything fits in the trunk. The long black plastic case in the top left corner is my torque wrench, and the spacer is above it. That's the 12v inflator with the orange band. The spare fits the front without any mods, but I needed a spacer for the spare to clear the rear Alcon caliper. If you don't have Alcon brakes you might not need a spacer to clear the rear caliper. Everything is explained in the above link.
I'm confused-- I have 20-inch wheels, and a spare (which I've used). I'm certain I didn't have that wheel repair kit. And I have my window sticker so I know the wheels I have came with the car.
I'm pretty sure that the 4.2L models came with a donut spare, except for those that were equipped with the Alcon Performance Brake Package. I believe that the spare was eliminated some time during the 5.0L production to reduce weight to meet fuel mileage requirements.
I'm pretty sure that the 4.2L models came with a donut spare, except for those that were equipped with the Alcon Performance Brake Package. I believe that the spare was eliminated some time during the 5.0L production to reduce weight to meet fuel mileage requirements.
YES - my 2007 XK 4.2 had a "space saver" spare wheel and toolkit.
I had a spare in my 2012 XKR and it was listed on my window sticker as an option. It was pretty much a full size donut on a black steel rim. Tool kit on top.
Someone will come to my aid with my AAA membership. I have no interest in patching tires or changing wheels on the side of the road.
AAA will come to your aid ... eventually, just don't hold your breath waiting. Ask me how I know.
To keep my wife happy, we've been AAA members for over 25 years. We've had our share of flat tires and usually had to wait less than an hour for AAA to arrive. But it was the 3 hour wait that convinced me to buy a 12 volt tire inflator. Many flat tires can be pumped back up so you can drive to a gas station to get it fixed. And with TPMS, you know when to stop to refill it.
So, my advice is simple. Be prepared. Let AAA come to your rescue so you don't get dirty and sweaty. But if, for whatever reason, you can't get AAA when you want them, it's time for Plan B - use your 12 volt tire inflator to pump up the flat so you can get to the gas station or tire shop to get it fixed or replaced. But if that flat doesn't hold any air, it's time for Plan C - replace the flat with the spare tire. I know it's dirty work and that's why I keep a pair of work gloves, a tube of waterless hand cleaner, and some rags with the spare. Sometimes there's no other choice.
P.S. I keep a 12 volt inflator in each of our cars, and so do my kids.
Last edited by Stuart S; Apr 13, 2020 at 11:09 PM.
Reason: Added P.S.
I'm pretty sure that the 4.2L models came with a donut spare, except for those that were equipped with the Alcon Performance Brake Package. I believe that the spare was eliminated some time during the 5.0L production to reduce weight to meet fuel mileage requirements.
I've got a 2010 with a 5.0. Maybe 2010 was the last year to have it?
Calling all owners with 20 inch wheels..
