What Does It Mean to Be Tire Sensor Safe?
February 10th, 2020
If you look at a bottle of Slime tire sealant, it clearly states that the product is tire sensor safe. But what exactly does that mean?
In 2007, the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) ruled that all new cars were required to have tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). These sensors attach to your valve stem on the inside of the tire, collect your tire pressure and then transmit that data to your car’s computer. When the air in your tire drops to an unsafe level (below 25% of your recommended tire pressure), then a warning light goes off on your dashboard.
Tire pressure monitoring systems have greatly reduced tire blowouts and increased overall driver safety. By receiving a warning that your tire is low, drivers have the chance to air up or repair a tire if needed.
So why does it matter if your tire sealant is tire pressure monitoring system safe? To inject into your valve stem, tire sealants have to be able to pass through the tiny hole in the tire pressure monitoring system easily. In a sealant that uses physical fibers to block up a puncture, this means that the particles must be specially designed to be small enough to pass through the sensor, but large enough to still reliably and efficiently plug holes.
We call this unique Slime formula Fiber-Seal Technology. It ensures that we fix your flat tire puncture, but don’t harm your tire in any way. If you take your tire to a mechanic and he says the sealant has broken your TMPS sensors, he is incorrect! The mechanic simply needs to rinse out the sensor with soap and water (Slime's environmentally-safe formula cleans up easily with water) to remove any lingering sealant and your tire sensors will begin functioning normally.
Next time you pick up a bottle of Slime tire sealant, look for the TMPS symbol and rest assured that your tires are in good hands.