Bike Repair Kit: Essential Tools for Emergencies

Hello everyone,
I'm currently considering buying a puncture repair kit with a compressor and sealant. It saves weight, takes up less space, and can be used to inflate various recreational items for the kids.
With a weight reduction of approximately 1.5%, the fuel savings will likely be in the same range, around 1%, which could translate to savings of about €10-20 per year with an annual mileage of 20,000 km.
Furthermore, according to the German Road Traffic Regulations (STVZO), a vehicle with a repaired tire is only allowed to travel to the nearest workshop, where you may be forced to purchase an overpriced tire if you are far from home and on a long journey.
However, I haven't had a flat tire in the last 22 years, which speaks against having a spare tire. But: Murphy's Law always applies!
What is your opinion on this topic?
haithamina

I definitely want a spare tire or a temporary spare.
These puncture repair kits are only useful if you have a hole in your tire (e.g., from a nail or screw).
If the tire is shredded, you're stuck there looking foolish.
It's a relief when you can install a new tire and continue on your way.
Usually, something like that happens when there's no help to be found anywhere nearby.
I also ordered my new Golf 5 with a spare tire.

Best regards.
Maxx.

PS: I've never actually had to change a tire, but you feel much more comfortable driving on the highway.

So, I'm definitely in favor of having a spare wheel; in my opinion, the best option is a full-size one (since it would include a replacement rim ).
As mentioned above, rep-sets are only useful for small things, and in my experience, the "compressor" feature is unfortunately not very effective.

I've only had experience with a 12V compressor once, but even that one could only manage just over 1 bar.

Okay, so I don't have a spare tire/emergency tire. I have the puncture repair kit.
I haven't had a flat tire in the last 3 years. However, I've had to use the compressor once because another vehicle had a tire that was completely flat. I inflated it, and everything was fine again!

Hi André,

The deciding factor for me is something you're implying but not explicitly stating.
the kids

If something breaks down on my car at night in the forest while it's raining, I'll just walk home. I'm old enough and fit enough (I sometimes run 25km through the forest at -2 degrees Celsius just for fun).
If that were to happen to my children...

The VW dealer told my sister when she ordered the new Passat: "When you have children, you should *always* have a spare tire with you."

Greetings.
m;

Last year, for musical reasons, I moved the spare tire to the garage, and I've been meaning to buy a can of 'Reifenpilot' ever since, but I keep forgetting.

Conclusion: It's also possible to do without a spare tire and a puncture repair kit, but you shouldn't get stranded on the highway without anything, as that will be expensive. In that case, I would rather ride the rim to the side of the road to get off the highway.

Okay, first of all, there should be something in the vehicle, not just for emergencies, but also in case something goes wrong during a routine check. They checked that last time with me . Well, they weren't very happy with me, and I even had to take a drug test at 2:00 PM (maybe because of my Dutch driver's license ).

I've had the experience before, although not on the highway. Even if you manage to patch a tire, the casing might still be damaged. Many people continue driving because the tire seems to hold air. But then, if it suddenly bursts, it's too late to regret it.

"On my previous A3, I had a full-size spare tire. I would simply change the tire and keep the patched tire as a reserve."

@ROOKIE
Since you haven't had a spare tire or a puncture repair kit in the vehicle for a year, are you really going to write a "conclusion" about it now?
Driving on gravel roads with alloy rims? My alloy rims are simply too expensive for that now.

Off-topic.
"This might not be the right place to ask, but I have a regular steel rim as a spare tire in my Passat. The tire size is registered for winter tires. It's a Continental tire with a speed index of at least V. However, there's a sticker on the wheel that says I can only drive at 80 or 100 km/h. Surely, it's not because of the wheel itself, but because of the different size used in the summer (or the different tread pattern used in winter), right?"

As far as I know, the issue with the reduced speed is related to the other dimensions of the tire and to the ABS/ESP system. Because of the different rolling circumference of the tire, the sensor provides different values than the rest of the system, and if the speed becomes too high, the ABS/ESP might start to malfunction, and possibly even intervene. This could be problematic at 140 km/h on the highway or during an emergency braking situation.

Well, depending on the car, the spare tire is also factored into the deformation process in the event of a possible rear-end collision.
I have the spare tire mounted in the back of my Golf. Our old A2 only had a puncture repair kit because there was absolutely no space in the trunk. However, the compressor that VW (or Audi...Skoda...Seat) includes is nothing like the ones you can buy at a hardware store; they are actually very good.
I would be cautious about using tire repair spray from a hardware store. First, the effectiveness isn't great. If you only have a small nail in your tire and you spray the sealant into it, you might end up needing to buy a new tire later on, so you won't actually be saving any money.


I like that quote... I haven't had a flat tire in x years. So, you should be particularly prepared for it, because, thanks to statistics, it's highly likely to happen to you, especially since you haven't had one yet (yes, I know, that's not entirely correct). Personally, I've also never had a tire problem, but I always carry a spare tire, because when it happens, it's usually in the middle of nowhere at the worst possible time.

Sure, here's the translation:

"I appreciate the effort to reduce fuel consumption, but a spare wheel typically weighs around 15kg. I doubt that any savings achieved through this method would be measurable, especially considering that the original VW emergency kit, including the compressor and sealant, also weighs around 5kg. Now, you might argue that you're also removing the jack and wheel wrench... okay. I still believe that you won't save more than 20% per year."

Okay, so much for the long explanation, short conclusion: I agree with the previous speakers. A spare tire is especially important when you have children in the car. If you're only driving alone, you can weigh the risk of being stranded in the middle of nowhere at night. The passive safety provided by having a spare tire might be a factor. Unfortunately, I'm not very familiar with the details.

'Dear Mr. Antje: To my knowledge, there is no legal requirement to carry a spare tire or other mobility aids. The only thing that could result in a penalty is being stranded on the highway without any assistance, which would then fall under the category of 'unnecessarily prolonged breakdown' or something similar.'

I could also write a conclusion after a week, which would then be based on my experiences within that week.

Driving on gravel roads with your rims? My aluminum rim is really too expensive for that now.

I have steel tires on all year round, so you can definitely do that.

I would be cautious about using puncture repair spray from a hardware store. First, the effectiveness isn't the best, and if you only have a nail in the tire and then you put that stuff in, you might end up having to buy a new tire later. So, you haven't saved anything.

For me, it's not about saving money, but about space. The Lupo unfortunately only has about 160 liters of trunk space (or should I say, glove compartment?). The spare tire well is the only way to install a subwoofer with an amplifier, and even then, it's just enough space to fit a case of water.
I would be very reluctant to drive with a repaired tire, so the repair kit would only need to get me home or to the nearest tire shop, whichever is closer, and then a new tire would be put on.

Don't trust any statistics unless you've fabricated them yourself.

R00KIE wrote:

1) "@Mr. Antje: To my knowledge, there is no obligation to carry a spare tire or other mobility aids. The only thing that can lead to penalties is if you are stranded on the highway without anything, which then falls under the category of unnecessarily prolonged immobility or something similar." 2) I could also write a conclusion after a week, but it would then be based on my experiences within that one week.

1) I have no idea, did they search for drugs there too? Discrimination!
2) Well, it's up to you .

Warning triangle, first-aid kit complying with the standard, and vest. If they wanted to see more, it was either not the police ( ), or they were only allowed to search under specific suspicion. By any chance, did you happen to have a bale of grass in the cargo area???

matthiasTDI96 wrote:

Warning triangle, a first-aid kit complying with the standard, and a vest. If they wanted to see more, it was either not the police ( ), or they were only allowed to search if there were specific reasons for suspicion. Do you happen to have a bale of grass in the cargo compartment???

"As far as I know, the safety vest is only mandatory for company cars. Everything was fine for me, even though I didn't have one with me."

I can't say why they searched everywhere. I wasn't under the influence of any drugs or alcohol (it was only midday ). Maybe it's because, based on my Dutch driver's license, they checked something in the computer. They had already searched my car at the border once (years ago, youthful recklessness...). That might be a reason for suspicion... However, I assumed they were looking for my spare tire.

It was definitely the police; there was a real blockade with many police vehicles. They also clearly identified themselves.

In the Netherlands, the spare tire (if present) is included in the annual vehicle inspection (APK), and the inspection should also verify the condition of any repair kit.

@ROOKIE
Since you haven't had a spare tire or a puncture repair kit in the vehicle for a year, are you really going to write a 'conclusion' about it now?
Driving on gravel roads? My aluminum rim is really too expensive for that now.
I have to agree with Rookie. My life and the lives of my passengers are worth more than an aluminum rim, even if it costs 1000€.

Regarding the actual topic:
I had also initially planned to remove the spare tire. It was supposed to be replaced by a wheel well tank for a fuel conversion. However, after careful consideration, I abandoned that idea. Now, I even have a full-size spare tire with winter tires. While puncture repair sprays might save weight and space, they are unlikely to help you exactly when you need them, according to Murphy's Law. Therefore, the spare tire will continue to accompany me on my rides, even though I haven't needed it yet.

Arno wrote:

I have to agree with Rookie. My life and the lives of my passengers would be worth more than an aluminum rim, even if it cost 1000€.

Hold on, he was trying to damage the rim to avoid a penalty. But then, he has steel rims, which makes the situation a little less serious.

There are also places where I wouldn't be stopped to change a tire. However, there are also places where I wouldn't have a problem with that. It's also important to consider the side of the road. And for someone with alloy wheels, it might be cheaper to pay the fine (if it's not just a warning) than to damage the rim. If I were in a dangerous spot, I would call the ADAC and risk getting a fine (but for what, exactly?).

My opinion: Definitely a full-size spare tire!

As @Maxx1278 already mentioned, the puncture repair kit is sufficient if there's only a small damage to the tread, but if the sidewalls are damaged or the tire is torn, you're in trouble.

Spare tires are certainly useful, but they're only meant to get you to the nearest repair shop.

By the way, isn't it the case that if you have a spare tire, it also has to be fully functional? I seem to recall someone telling me that (either during a police check or a vehicle inspection?), the tire pressure and tread depth must be in good condition, otherwise you might still run into trouble. Is that true?