TyreWeld did not work

[Martin Simer]

I might be the first lucky Oregonian Think owner to get a flat tire and test out the can of TyreWeld that came with the car instead of a spare tire.  On my morning commute the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light came on, but I managed to get to work.  A few hours later the tire was completely flat, and I found a screw stuck in there.  So I pulled out the screw, vigorously shook the TyreWeld, connected it to the tire, turned it to the 'on' position, and.........nothing happened.  I had two other Think owners observe this operation (yes, we have multiple cars where I work), since none of us had ever used this device, and they wanted to see it in action.  This was a tad disappointing, but I briskly solved the situation by having someone drive me to a car parts store, where I picked up a can of a compatible product.  This one worked like a charm; it instantly inflated the tire and sealed the puncture.  Since the instructions said to immediately drive it to evenly distribute the sealant, I drove it, and didn't stop until I got to Les Schwab, where they repaired the tire, while also coating the entire facility in the white gook that had come out of the can.  The tire has been perfectly fine since then.  I think that the TyreWeld was old, which is why it didn't work.  My recommendation to all of you is to pick up another can the next time you are in a store, and keep two cans in the car.  I got my current one at Fred Meyer for under $7.  I also mentioned all this when I made my heater fix appointment, but I don't know if they are considering replacing the cans with fresh ones.

In related news, ever since this happened, the TPMS doesn't work.  The warning light is constantly on, even though I followed the re-set instructions in the manual multiple times.  The mechanics are supposed to take a look at it this Friday when they are fixing the heater.

Happy driving!

[Richard Samuels]

There is mention in one of the Leaf forums that the tire repair goo destroys the TPMS sensor. If that is true and the Think uses a similar sensor, that may be your problem.

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[Judith Huck]

Thanks for the heads up Martin.

 

Judith Huck

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