Installation - Ride-On Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can the Ride-On Smart Cap TPMS valve cap be installed on rubber valve stems?

A. Although the LED Smart Caps can be installed on rubber valve stems, we highly recommend that the LED Smart Caps be installed on metal valve stems. After installation, rotate the tire to make sure that the LED Smart Cap TPMS does not come in contact with any brake or suspension components (flex valve stem side to side and allow a minimum of ¼" clearance). The valve stem and LED Smart Cap should NOT protrude beyond the tire where they may come in contact with curbs or other objects. Metal valve stems are recommended because rubber valve stems can flex more, become brittle, or fatigue and crack over time.

 

Q: How is Ride-On Tire Protection System installed? What tools are needed?

A: Ride-On tire sealant is ready to use, it requires no mixing, shaking or stirring. The installation procedures are simple and should take no more than a few minutes per tire. For best results, The only tools needed to install Ride-On are:

  • Valve stem remover
  • Tire pressure gauge
  • Air source for re-inflation of tire

A Hand Pump HP-300T and the Ride-On Tire Injection System (ROTIS) automatic pump are available for use with 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums.

Please refer to the detailed Installation Instructions for installing Ride-On from bottles, 5-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums (using the Hand Pump or the ROTIS automatic pump).

Q. Do I need to balance my tires before installing Ride-On Tire Sealant and Balancer in it?

 

A. The short answer is NO! Please read this Technical Service Bulletin for more information. Read More »


Q: How often should I have the wheel balance be checked?

A: A wheel should be balanced whenever a tire is demounted and replaced (changing its relative position on the wheel), when a balance weight is moved or removed, and whenever you purchase new tires. Of course, at the first sign of vibration or irregular tread wear, your car should be thoroughly checked for wheel balance and alignment, and for worn or broken mechanical parts.

Ride-On is designed to hydrodynamically balance truck and bus tires, thus reducing tire imbalance and vibrations that cause the tire to hop and bounce on the road. These vibrations increase the tire's operating temperature and promote irregular tread wear. This feature is especially useful for fleets that do not balance the tires on their Class 3-8 vehicles and trailers. 

Many trucking fleets are switching from conventional tire balancing powders to Ride-On to help them balance their truck tires and to help them with their pressure maintenance programs. Our long haul customers have reported tire life improvements of up to 25% or more. 

Q: How about wheel balancing equipment? Is there a difference?

A: There are two types of wheel balancing equipment, Static and Dynamic. Dynamic balancers are again divided into two basic types – those that balance the tire and wheel assembly on the vehicle, and those that balance the assembly off the car. They are called "Dynamic" balancers because they balance the tire and wheel while it is spinning. There is one type of machine, the "static" or "bubble" balancer, which does not indicate which side of the tire is heavier than the other and does not show precisely where the weight should be placed. It is impossible to do an accurate dynamic balance with this device. It relies on a great deal of guesswork and is therefore, not as desirable on passenger tires as a dynamic balancer.

Q: Can Ride-On plug the tire valve as it is being inserted?

A: Very rarely. Sometimes when Ride-On is being pumped into the tire, the fibers used to seal punctures, will enter the valve stem opening in such a manner as to create a blockage. If this occurs, remove the connector of the pump from the valve stem, an inject a short burst of air to clear the tire stem passageway, then reattach the hose connector and continue pumping. A paper clip or similar object can also be used to clear the valve stem.

Q: Can Ride-On plug the tire valve when the tire pressure is being checked?

A: Almost never when the proper dosage of Ride-On is installed. The centrifugal force of the rotating tire forces Ride-On away from the valve stem and unto the tire. However, in the rare occasion when some Ride-On gets into the valve, it is recommended that a short burst of air be injected into the tire to clear any sealant coating the inner surface of the valve stem.

Q: Is Ride-On Tire Pressure Monitor (TPMS) Friendly?

A: Yes. Ride-On is tire pressure monitor sensor (TPMS) friendly in TPMS sensors that are hermetically sealed. Most sensors on motorcycle, autos and commercial fleet applications are hermetically sealed. We do not recommend the use of Ride-On in 2009, 2010 and 2012 Honda Gold Wings as their TPMS sensors are not hermetically sealed. Please read more about Ride-On and TPMS sensors at the following pages:

Ride-On TPMS Sensor Technical Service Bulletin - September 4, 2008

Ride-On TPMS Sensor Technical Service Bulletin - September 1, 2011

Q: Can Ride-On be used only in new tires?

A: No. Ride-On can be used in new and old tires.

Q: What type of tires can Ride-On be used in?

A: Ride-On can be used in any pneumatic tire. However, there are special formulas for regular, off-road (speeds less than 30 mph, 50 km/h), and bicycle applications. Please ask your dealer for the formula appropriate for your needs.

Q: Does a tire need to be completely deflated prior to using the Hand Pump to install Ride-On?

A: No. The HP-300T hand pump can pump against tire pressures as high as 75 psi.

Q: Can Ride-On be pumped in tires without the need to lower their pressure to 75 psi or less?

A: Yes. Ride-On has developed the patented Ride-On Tire Injection System (ROTIS) automatic pump - a cart mounted battery operated automatic pump which can be used to pump Ride-On in fully pressured tires. The ROTIS Automatic Pump will eliminate the need to deflate a tire prior to pumping Ride-On. This pump is of particular use to companies with large fleets of trucks and other heavy equipment, or service stations which pump Ride-On into many cars.

Q: How many Units (Ounces) of Ride-On are pumped by a full stroke of the hand pump?

A: Ten units (ounces) of Ride-On are delivered by a full stroke of the hand pump. The pump shaft has been calibrated in 1 unit increments allowing the user complete control of the quantity being pumped.

Q: What quantity of Ride-On should be installed in a tire?

A: Please refer to the Dosage Chart for the appropriate amount of Ride-On that needs to be installed in your size of tire. We have developed dosage tables prescribing the correct amount of Ride-On to be installed in a variety of tire/wheel size configurations. When properly installed, Ride-On will not affect the tire balance, even in high speed passenger and light truck applications.

Q: What size containers is Ride-On available in?

A: Ride-On is available in 8 oz. and 16 oz. bottles, 5-gallon pails, and 55-gallon drums. Ride-On is also available in kits containing four bottles (8 or 16 oz.) of the sealant, a valve core remover tool, a Yorker top, and a plastic hose (all the tools required for installation). Ride-On can be custom packaged in any container size required by the customer.