Compact emergency flat tire sealants are fast-replacing spare tires

Automakers are eliminating spare tires to save space, weight, and cost, instead providing run-flats or just a can of sealant and an inflator for emergencies. And as we saw at the recent SEMA show, aftermarket suppliers are getting into the act with similar emergency kits for car owners.

We saw a number of new products at SEMA in Las Vegas that claim to quickly inflate a punctured tire and get you on your way, without the need to jack up the car or remove a tire. None are intended to provide a permanent fix, but all can be used temporarily or to get you to a mechanic, without damaging tires, wheels, or sensitive tire-pressure monitoring systems. Unlike the goopy sealants that have been around for decades, manufacturers claim these new products are water-soluble and can be easily cleaned out of the tire using a rag or shop vacuum.

First up was the Fix-A-Flat, the brand probably best known for aerosol tire sealants. Their Ultimate 1-Step Tire Repair Kit is similar to kits that come with some new cars, and it includes sealant and a 12V pump with pressure gauge that plugs into a car's power outlet. Claimed to be capable of inflating and sealing a car tire in 7 minutes at the push of a button, Ultimate 1-Step retails for around $35.