Getting a flat tire is dangerous and inconvenient, not to mention expensive. Thankfully, sealants are great at safeguarding your tires.
Sealants keep your tires properly protected, but you need to make certain to use the right amount. So how much sealant per tire is the right amount? We explain below.
What Is Sealant, and Why is it Important?
Sealant is a fluid that freely flows inside of a tire to prevent or fix a flat. When a puncture occurs, the fibrous liquid quickly stops the leak by drying into a flexible plug. While it is usually a temporary solution, you should be able to arrive safely at a nearby repair shop without a problem.
Finding the Perfect Balance
Once you start looking into protection for your vehicle, it is natural to ask yourself: How much sealant per tire do I need? Unfortunately, the answer is somewhat complicated and can vary quite a bit.
Adding too much can weigh down your tires and even cause them to vibrate. However, if you do not add enough, holes may not get filled correctly.
Generally speaking, the right amount depends on the height and tread width, but most brands have a particular amount they recommend.
Let’s take a look at some top-rated brands and their specifications.
Permashield
Permashield is one of the only preventative on-road sealants. The liquid gets placed inside your tires before there are any holes, and it will repair any ruptures as they happen immediately. You do not need to remove the foreign object from your tire, so there is no work on your end once you’ve installed Permashield.
Unlike many other sealants on the market, Permasheild requires a certified installer. They will calculate how much sealant per tire to use, so you do not have to worry.
Since it gets applied to all tires simultaneously, Permashield extends the life of your tires and improves their balance. Furthermore, it can withstand punctures up to ¼ inch and is compatible with tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS).
TireJect
TireJect has three categories for the use of their On-Road Sealant. For compact cars, mid-size sedans, and motorcycles, use 4 ounces per tire. Full-size sedans, crossovers, and small pickup trucks or SUVs need 6 ounces. Larger vehicles, such as full-size pickup trucks or SUVs, need 8 ounces.
TireJect is good to fix holes smaller than ¼ inch as long as they are not in the sidewall or shoulder. You should only use it to repair a leak as it is not a preventative product. However, TireJect seals are 100% permanent, so you should be good as new once you’ve applied it.
Slime
Slime offers two options for on-road vehicles. One requires removal of the valve core, and the other does not. Both work perfectly well. However, the Thru-Core line is a bit easier to work with. Either way, the type of automobile you have will determine the amount of sealant to use.
How much sealant per tire you need with slime depends on the vehicle size. Cars and trailers need 16 ounces per tire of the regular sealant and 14 ounces of Thru-Core. Larger vehicles need an additional 4 ounces per flat for both products.
Slime repairs any puncture up to ¼ inch without the need for a jack or other tools. It is only for emergencies, and therefore not something to use as a preventative measure. The Slime seal is temporary and rated for 3 days or 100 miles after application.
Fix-a-Flat
Fix-a-Flat is an all-in-one product. Unlike most other sealant options, Fix-a-Flat is aerosol-based, so it reinflates and seals your tire all at once. For a standard tire, you will need a 16-ounce can. Larger tires need 20 ounces, and compact vehicles only need 12 ounces.
Fix-a-Flat is very similar to Slime in that it is a temporary fix and only suited for 3 days or 100 miles after use. Also, it will only work for holes smaller than ¼ inch.
The main attraction to Fix-a-Flat is the aerosol base because it makes the product much simpler, which is always a bonus in an emergency.
Check more detailed guide: How To Put Slime In A Tire
Pay Attention
When selecting a sealant, be sure to use one designed for roadway vehicles. Many sealants are only suitable for bicycles or off-road equipment.
Using the wrong sealant also can cause more harm than good, and the products are not permanent solutions. Some temporary sealants also can damage tires. Pay attention to labels such as “permanent” or “temporary,” as well as applications for standard, highway, high speed, and on-road to determine compatibility with cars.
Takeaway
There is not a set amount of how much sealant per tire that you need to use. It all depends on the brand and the size of your tires. Luckily, the large majority of companies have dosage instructions on the product. However, in an emergency, we recommend checking to see if there is a way to close the container after it opens. If you can’t recap it, you will probably need to use the entire bottle.
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