So, it finally happened. With all the road debris after the winter, I got my first flat tire of the year. That's OK, sh?t happens. So, feeling a little DIY after I break out the sealant and pump kit. The Mazda sealant requires that the tire valve be removed with the valve removal tool included in the kit. Then the sealant is poured into the tire, valve replaced and air pumped into the tire. The sealant did its job as I was able to get to the dealer to have the flat fixed properly.

The flat cost C$17.95 to patch. But I asked for another bottle of sealant. I was quoted C$156.00 for the kit. WTF??!!?? I asked if they were quoting me on the entire kit including the compressor and all. No, it was just the sealant kit - no compressor.

I can't beleive they wanted C$156.00 That's almost the price of a new tire! Anyways, I go get myself a can of off the shelf sealant for C$10 and toss that into the trunk for the next flat. Is Mazda insane??

 

So, they patched the tire and sent you on your way? I thought the tire had to be replaced either way because the sealent gunk (could) muck up the tire sensor and coat unevenly within the tire (possibly causing an unbalanced tire at high speed).

And a $130US seems excessive for a refill of the sealant!!! ouch..!!! TheDosDog pointed out a $5.00 patch kit that could be used to temporarily patch a tire until you got to a dealer. The kit can be picked-up at any automotive store.

 

I'm surprised that they sent him on his way after using the sealer. The warranty is void after using this. Most tire shops won't fix a tire that has the sealer treatment done to it.

I was going to use it one day but I broke the valve stem remover...then I read the part about the tire being a thow-a-way after using it so I didn't. Instead I replaced the nail I picked up with a larger screw and some plumbers tape. That sealed it until I got to a tire shop to have it properly repaired.

 

Yeah that sealant goo is a last resort. Flat tire in the middle of the desert, 100 miles to the next oasis, 127 in the shade, vultures circling . . .

 

Lol if your driving out there i hope u bring a full sized spare. I know I will.

 

I got my flat fixed for free from KALTIRE... the guy there just wanted a ride around the block in my sexxxy car!! :D

 

Sealant wouldn't damage the tire. It does have to be cleaned out properly tho. The issue is that most people try to drive for extended periods with sealant. Also, you are to drive at speeds below 80 kms/hr. Any use of the sealant away from its intended use may void the tire warranty.

But my mishap occurred on my way to work. I used the sealant, drove straight to the dealer and had the tire patched properly within 1 hour. Also, I figure that by going back to the dealer immediately and having them do the work, I can always pin any liability on Mazda. I was just following manufacturer instructions.

 

I drove a lot of junk cars for years on my old job. Used sealent lots of time because I worked on the railroad and there was metal all over the roads. Sometimes I drove for months with the stuff. Only problem was sometimes in real cold weather the stuff would congeal and the leak would start again. I had a lot of tires patched after using the sealent with no problems. I got a puncture fixed in my RX8 without the sealent being used. They found a screw during routine service. I was told all punctures void the tire warranty.

 

is mazda's sealant any different than regular sealant you can buy at almost any store?

 

I don't know, but here's a not from the owner's manual:

"Do not use non-genuine tire sealant. It
may damage the tire pressure sensor."

 

I wonder why they have this note in the owner's manaul?

"A tire that has been temporarily
repaired with the tire sealant cannot
be reused. Mazda recommends
replacing the tire with a new one."

 

Haha...... haha...... haha

You're joking, right?

 

There are two kinds of sealants. One kind that enters the "tube" layer in the tire and makes repairs impossible/dangerous. This is the kind of sealant the will give a very strong ammonia odor when deflating the repaired tire. The other kind is more gooey and has little odor. It will not harm the tire - BUT: If you drive, say 1/2 mile with less than .5 bar of pressure the tire will get so hot that it may just fail the next time it is heated up.

-> Never repair a tire that has been driven with too little pressuse.

 

No, have you looked at your manual?

 

Well, I just had to use the sealer kit today.

After putting it in and using the compressor I had enough air in the tire to drive to the dealership. They cleaned out the sealer and patched the tire. I also had some sticker shock with the price for a new bottle of sealer.

I am considering just getting a bottle from the local automotive store.