Pre-Flat Sealant, Ultraseal, Not Interfering with Sensors

rgaus · 07-25-2008, 06:56 PM

This subject is intended to address the many questions concerning both the lack of a spare tire and the smart provided sealant/compressor solution to fix flat tires.

There are a few products on the market that pre-seal tires to prevent flats. The one I will talk about here is called Ultraseal. It is a product endorsed by Evilution as a valid alternative to the smart "fix it after it happens" solution. Product is installed into new tires in a specific ounce to tire volume ratio. On the 2008 smarts, it is 8 ounces per tire for the 155/60's in the front and 10 ounces per tire in 175/55's in the rear. A valve stem removing tool is used to take out the valve. Your finger is placed over the valve until sealant is pumped into the tire. One downward motion pump inserts 1 ounce. No aerosol is used. The product is water based and is not flammable. There is no danger to the service people changing tires at a tire shop. Ultraseal seals the inside of the tire to a degree that it is always protected from punctures of up to 1/4". Self seals. US Postal Service vehicles around the country use Ultraseal. Tires should lose no pressure over time due to its sealant ability.

Though this may sound great, the biggest problem with any sealant such as this is that it is said to cause the Pressure Sensing Valves to malfunction and show that a tire is low. Various contributors in these threads have suggested ignoring the light or using black tape to place over the light, but that is hardly a solution. Though the primary purpose of the Ultraseal is to prevent flats, that ever-present light would be an annoyance... but it may not be a problem after all.

I inserted Ultraseal into all my 2008 smart tires at 1000 miles. I now have 2000 miles and the Pressure Sensing Valves are all working perfectly. I've manually let air out of each of the four tires over the time that I've had my smart and the Pressure sensors all react as they should. When I refill the tires, the light again goes out, and stays out.

I still would argue that any product that can prevent the problem of having a flat is a better solution than one that allows you to fix it after the event. I would also argue that the light, even if glowing constantly, would be a livable inconvenience while knowing you could be protected from having a flat... but everyone views that differently. I will continue to post updates each thousand miles and will be very honest on any problems that occur with the Pressure Sensors. At this point, however, each sensor is working perfectly as it should. If that continues, it would appear that Ultraseal is one product that can provide protection from flats while allowing the pressure sensors to continue to operate successfully.

I need to add a disclaimer. I do sell this stuff, so I may not be viewed as objective. However, the reason I sell it is that I am convinced it provides a solution that will work for many people. I learned about it from Evilution and did my own research after that. Great company. Smart doesn't sell it and I do not know why. I've suggested it to a number of folks at SmartUSA in my feedback communications on my car. I don't care if you buy it from me, but you ought to consider this type of product. There is another product that I believe is called Ride-On. Another is sold by Wal-Mart and made by Simonize. Another is called Slime, but on the packaging of Slime, it advises against going over 55 miles per hour due to possible vibration. Ultraseal does not have that problem. I cannot vouch for the other products, only Ultraseal. Perhaps someone could do their own test on Ride-On or the Wal-Mart product.

Hope this information is helpful. I'll keep updating each thousand miles.

Ron

NCC1701 · 07-25-2008, 08:10 PM

Very helpful, to me. I had considered seriously purchasing Ultraseal for a year before I took delivery of my car. I voiced my intention to use it in my car on this forum and got very negative feedback. I've got about 700 miles on the car now. Your research into the product has me considering the product once again. Thanks for the review.

Evilution · 07-26-2008, 08:17 AM

One important thing to do is to ensure the valve is at dead bottom when installing this stuff. Depending on the construction of the sensor (I haven't seen a smart one yet), it stops the fluid running over the sensor which could cause a problem.

The other solution is to let all the pressure out, push the side wall in and pump the fluid straight into the tyre, bypassing the valve completely.

chieftmc · 07-26-2008, 07:00 PM

I have used Ride-On for years in motorcycles and scooters. It is a superior product and performs as advertised. Don't know how it would work in a car tire?

rgaus · 07-27-2008, 04:04 AM

Kane, my valve locations were random when I filled my 2008 smart with Ultraseal. I'm pretty sure none were at dead bottom.

If anyone tries Ride-On in their car, put the results on this thread please.

NCC1701, thanks for you comment.

Ron

Karl Roth · 07-27-2008, 06:46 AM

any balance problems?
karl

rgaus · 07-27-2008, 10:18 AM

Absolutely no balance problems up to 85, Carl. If tires are balanced correctly prior to Ultraseal insertion, there should be no balance problems. Good question. Thanks. I've not gone 90 yet. I'll update.

Ron

NCC1701 · 08-29-2008, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgaus

Absolutely no balance problems up to 85, Carl. If tires are balanced correctly prior to Ultraseal insertion, there should be no balance problems. Good question. Thanks. I've not gone 90 yet. I'll update.

Any updates? It's been a month since this post. It's been seven weeks since I got my smart. I'm thinking about a flat tire solution. Spare tire in a bag, Ultraseal, run flats...

Any adverse effects from the Ultraseal after a month?

mike-in-sa · 08-29-2008, 08:12 PM

I have used the slime for years to fix flats on all kinds of vehicles. I have found that the green slime will dry up after a year or so. That being the case, I would not recomend putting in green slime until you need it. It works great when you get a flat but does not stay liquid for all that long.

NCC1701 · 08-29-2008, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-in-sa

I have used the slime for years to fix flats on all kinds of vehicles. I have found that the green slime will dry up after a year or so. That being the case, I would not recomend putting in green slime until you need it. It works great when you get a flat but does not stay liquid for all that long.

Are you talking about Ultraseal, or some other goop?