What to do in case of a flat tire without a spare?

If you didn’t know, there is a very low chance that your car is equipped with a spare tire. So what should you do in the event of a flat tire?

A screw, a treacherous curb, a shard of glass, or simply a faulty valve are risks of a flat tire that you may not be ready to face. Weight reduction is an obsession for manufacturers because every kilo saved not only improves performance and fuel efficiency but also the reliability of cars. Less weight means less strain on various mechanical components, primarily the wheels and braking system. Since having a spare tire is not legally required, manufacturers have mostly decided to do without it and exploited this by removing the jack and the wrench used to loosen the bolts! That’s kilos saved, but also liters of trunk space, which is an added bonus.

While waiting for the widespread use of puncture-proof tires currently being developed by many manufacturers, you still need a way to deal with a flat tire.

There are three options:

• The puncture repair spray. It is effective for quick fixes but only in cases of minor issues such as a nail or a screw causing a small and clean hole. Enough to get you the few kilometers to the nearest gas station at a very reduced speed, but not to complete your journey peacefully.
• The plug. Very effective when properly applied, but requiring a minimum level of skill. Best reserved for seasoned DIYers who are not afraid to get their clothes dirty and cover their fingers in glue.
• The repair kit consisting of a sealing agent and a compressor. This is generally what you will find in your new car as it strikes the best balance between simplicity and safety.

It is now time to check if you are properly equipped and if the materials are not expired. To help you get equipped if necessary, we have selected for you the TYREseal OTSK4 by OSRAM on sale for 55.22 euros at the OSRAM online store. Convenient, and especially much cheaper than a towing service!

The OSRAM TYREseal kit includes a 450 ml bottle of tire sealing product, a compressor, and a storage bag. It allows you to seal punctures up to a maximum diameter of 6 mm thanks to gel technology with particles, and then reinflate your tire with the included compressor. Once your tire is repaired, you can return to the road at a reduced speed over a maximum distance of 200 km. If the tire is repairable, which allows for significant savings compared to a replacement, the gel can be removed by simple rinsing. No tools or jack are needed; the operation is ultra-simple and takes 10 minutes. The product is also compatible with tire pressure monitoring systems.

We remind you that the best way to avoid a flat tire is to regularly check tire pressures and replace them when worn. The tire is the only link between the car and the road, so don’t play with your life over rubber issues.

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