Handheld inflator?

[question everything]

My 2014 KIA Soul came without a spare tire. Standard or the toy one.

I drive it mostly around town but several years ago we did take it out of town - 400 miles each way. And, frankly, did not even consider this. KIA supposedly provides a 24 hr road service, or something, the number is on the window.

But a recent MotorMouth column suggested that an inflator that can be plugged into the old cigarette lighter, as well as a can of puncture sealer should be in many cars. This duo, he said, replaces the spare tire which took up space and added weight.

Any opinions here?

Thanks.

I am not a car head. For me it is a convenience to take me from point A to B in a reliable and safe way.

[Kali]

1. my Kia came with the inflator and foam

I keep it in the car but I bought a rim and a tire because I live off pavement and am only too familiar with ruined tires. get a star wrench and a decent jack too if you go this route.

if you are mostly in urban areas and have a phone, I wouldn't worry about it. emergency roadservice is only a couple bucks on regular car insurance. it may take an hour to get help but it will get there.

I don't know how good the Kia number is, the only time I tried it I was actually in Mexico. it didn't work. LOL

[sheshe2]

2. When you posted your OP title...

"Handheld inflator?"

My first thought was of Donnie and that he had found a way to make his hands bigger.





Sorry, my bad.

[question everything]

7. Thanks. I needed this

[sheshe2]

13. Hehehe.

Me too!

[Sneederbunk]

3. Sounds like a sex toy.

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

4. Most cars without spares come with that exact equipment

Usually an electric compressor with sealant. Or a can of combined compressed air/sealant. I'd check the trunk where a spare should be, you probably have an inflation kit there. It should look something like this: ]

[question everything]

8. Thanks. I don't remember seeing one but will check. Can always ask the dealer

[DetroitLegalBeagle]

11. No problem

It might be in the floor of the trunk, where a spare typically is. It could also located on either side of the trunk, behind a plastic cover. Your owners manual should have the location.

[TreasonousBastard]

5. I had one of those in a 2013 Chevy but the problem was when...

I got a gash too big for the FixaFlat stuff to work on. The GM 24 hour service was fine, sorta, but it was just a tow truck to take me to a tire store.

I did spend some time trying to find an actual spare tire, along with a jack and lug wrench. Jack and lug wrench were easy, but spare tire took a lot of work. Try asking at tire stores, mechanics, junkyards...

My new Chevy has a donut spare-- I guess there were too many complaints.

[Hoyt]

6. I carry foam, a plug kit, and a large bicycle pump.

I have one of those small spare tires, but hate driving on those things. I’d only use it in case of a blowout.

Fortunately, today’s tires are quite flat resistant.

[question everything]

9. They certainly are. Went to the dealer in the middle of harsh winter

to pump more air. When a car sits in a cold garage it can lose pressure, I was told. They found a nail but, thankfully, just patched it.

[3Hotdogs]

10. Buy a mounted spare.

Last edited Tue Jun 18, 2019, 12:23 PM - Edit history (1)

When it’s 1 AM and you are out with a ruptured tire from a road hazard —-

also, a breaker.bar and socket is better than cross wrench

[hlthe2b]

12. I have had tire punctures during highway construction or peak "roofing nail" season that could not

be even temporarily repaired via "fix-a-flat"... I hate the little mini spares tires, but I'll take it over nothing for sure. Maybe some don't ever even want to attempt replacing a tire. I have no qualms doing so if I am able to get well off the road. Otherwise, AAA.

But, the point is, major blow-outs often leave a tire not amenable to injectable foam solutions. Carry it just in case, I guess, but don't rely just on it (not to mention that areas with intense heat might actually make that a bit impractical/dangerous to leave in the car).

[question everything]

14. Yes, I have thought about it.

As I posted, I usually drive in the city but if we will take it to longer out of town trip we will consider this.

Thanks.