Technical - Ride-On Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do I have before I have to use the product?


A. All Ride-on products are designed with a 3 year shelf life (in a sealed un-opened container) and a 5 year use life. This 8 year cycle is optimal for two reasons. It gives the customers a perfectly useable product while also allowing the dealers ample time to move their inventory. We highly recommend not exceeding these time limits. Like everything else, our products age and degrade over time. Using an expired product might lead to unsatisfactory results, and even possibly corrosion in rare circumstances. If you order product from a dealer, please take the time to look at the batch stickers (on the 5-gallon pails and 55-gallon drums only) to ensure the sealants are within their expiration limits. 

Q. I purchased the Auto Formula, can I use it in my Motorcycles?

 

A. All Ride-On products are distinctly different formulas designed and optimized for an intended application. Using a commercial sealant in a car or motorcycle is tantamount to using a commercial truck tire on your passenger car or motorcycle. This holds true for all of our different formulas. PLEASE BUY THE RIGHT FORMULA FOR YOUR INTENDED APPLICATION. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND NOR CONDONE SUBSTITUTING FORMULAS, I.E. USING ATV IN MOTORCYCLES OR VICE VERSA.

 

Q. I just opened up my tire and the sealant looks great, is it okay if I scoop the product out and install it in my new tire?

 

A. We do not recommend under any circumstance, nor can we be held responsible for the results of reusing or recycling (from one tire to another) our sealants. While our sealants might look good enough to reuse, doing so causes all sorts of problems for the operator. While in use, certain components (such as corrosion inhibitors and polymers) age and are consumed. If the sealant is recycled, the lack of these components leads to poor sealing, balancing, and possible corrosion. A good parallel example for this would be to take motor oil out of one engine and put it in another. It is simply not done. The same holds true with Ride-On and we are absolutely not accountable for the results of this practice.

 

Q. I opened my tire and the product looks all black, is everything okay?

 

A. Product discoloration is normal. If you run a white paper towel inside the tire, it will often turn black. This same thing can happen to the Ride-On sealant. Although this doesn't happen in every installation, it is very common. So long as the product consistency has remained unchanged, the color is not important. If the product looks very watery or has clumped up, this can be indication of excessive water/moisture from the air source, mounting compounds, or oils from the compressors.

 

Q. I have tire balancing powders/beads in my tires, can I still install Ride-On?

 

A. Ride-On should not be installed in tires that have any other product installed in them.

 

Q. I have another tire sealant in my tires, can I still install Ride-On?

 

A. Ride-On should not be installed in tires that have any other product installed in them.

 

Q. Can I use a tire plug in my tire if Ride-On fails to seal a puncture?

 

A. Ride-On should not interfere with applications of tire plugs and patches. However, if the puncturing size was too large, there is a chance that plugs will also not work. Ride-On does not recommend repairing any tire that was operated flat. We also do not recommend any repairs outside of the crown of a tire. If a tire containing Ride-On still went flat, please take the tire out of service as soon as possible and have it be inspected by a tire care professional.

 

Q. I pulled a tiny staple out of my tire, but it still leaks?

 

A. In case that the puncturing object is too small (staple, needle, etc.), enlarging the hole with a tire awl will aid in Ride-On sealing the hole. For Ride-On to work effectively, the solid particulates inside the sealant need to be able to enter the wound from inside to the outside. If the hole is too small, the liquid may flow in the hole but the solid fibers will get stuck inside the tire casing (think of it like spagetti or rice in a colander - the water will drain but the spagetti/rice will stay inside the colander).

 

Q: Does Ride-On Tire Protection react chemically with the tires or wheels?


A: No. Ride-On tire sealant is chemically inert, and will not attack the tire or wheels. Ride-On contains corrosion inhibitors that protect steel and aluminum wheels and tire belts against corrosion. Ride-On tire sealant can be easily washed out of tires with water. It will not affect the future use of patches or other tire repairs if necessary. Ride-On will actually help preserve the tire casing, making retreads more effective.

Q: Is the Ride-On Hazardous?

A: Ride-On is not considered a hazardous material as defined by the US EPA and DOT. Ride-On is biodegradable, non-flammable, and non-explosive. Please refer to the Ride-On Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) and Environmental Impact Testing Report for more details. 

Q: Is the Ride-On water dispersible?

A: Yes. since there is no chemical bonding of Ride-On tire sealant to the tire, it can be easily washed out of a tire with water. This is particularly important to our fleet and commercial clients because, Ride-On can be washed out of a tire so that the tire can be retreaded. Ride-On contains ethylene glycol, which is commonly used as an antifreeze and in cooling and heating systems. Good industrial hygiene work practices should be used when installing or removing Ride-On (Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet). Please refer to your Federal, State, or Local regulations for disposing or recycling of glycol based products.

Q: Will Ride-On rust the wheels?

A: No. Ride-On contains anti-corrosive agents to protect steel and aluminum wheels and tire belts against rust.

Q: Can I use Ride-On in tires that already contain another tire sealant or have balancing powders like Equal, dynabeads or counteract in them?

A: No. Ride-On should not be used in tires that contain any other material as the combination can make both products ineffective.

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 potted (hermetically sealed). Also certain KTM 1190 and 1290 Adventures may have unsealed (non-potted) electronics and therefore should avoid the use of our sealants.

If your sensors are not sealed, then we do not recommend the use of Ride-On with them. Although using Ride-On with these types of sensors does not always create issues, we as the manufacturer of Ride-On do not recommend using our product in applications with TPMS systems without potted electronics. Even moisture contained in the compressed air can enter the electronics and over time create issues not related to any tire sealant.  We recommend that you check with your dealer or manufacturer to determine whether your TPMS sensor has potted electronics and batteries.

Read more about Ride-On and TPMS »

Q: What is the shelf life of Ride-On ?

A: The shelf life of Ride-On is 36 months in the original unopened containers and the earlier of 5 years or the legal life of the tire after installation in a tire. It is recommended that the containers be stored out of direct sunlight in temperature ranges of 20ºF (-7ºC) to 95ºF (35ºC).

Q: Will Ride-On settle in the container and need to be stirred?

A: No. Ride-On is a homogeneous tire sealant that will not separate when stored for long periods. Ride-On will not separate with exposure to heat, cold, or centrifugal forces normally found in driving conditions. Ride-On is ready to use, it requires no mixing, stirring, or other preparation.

Q: Does Ride-On run to the bottom of the tire when the tire is not in motion?

A: No. Ride-On contains specially selected binders which prevent this from happening. The sealant remains in place covering the interior surface of the tire. If a tire treated with Ride-On is stored for a prolonged period of time, some of the Ride-On can eventually pool in the bottom of the tire. Once the vehicle is driven for 3 to 5 miles, Ride-On will again re-coat the inner surface of the tire. Note: the tire may briefly vibrate and be out of balance until Ride-On has had a chance to evenly coat the tire. When Ride-On has re-coated the tire, there should be no further balancing problems.

Q: Will Ride-On dry out in the tire?

A: No! Ride-On will always stay in the same condition as originally installed into the tire because the tire is a pressurized sealed container and no evaporation of the liquid can occur.

Q: Is Ride-On flammable?

A: No. Ride-On is not flammable. Ride-On contains Ethylene Glycol, a compound commonly used as an antifreeze in automobiles and in cooling and heating systems.

Q: How does Ride-On perform under extreme temperature conditions?

A: Ride-On is effective from -40ºF (-40ºC) to more than 300ºF (149ºC). Ride-On works well in every season.

Q: Is Ride-On harmful?

A: No. Ride-On is environmentally friendly, non-hazardous and non-flammable. Ride-On contains Ethylene Glycol, an organic chemical compound used commonly as an antifreeze for automobiles and in cooling and heating systems. Ethylene Glycol is toxic if swallowed (lethal dose in humans is about 1.4 ml/kg of body weight or 100 ml). Good industrial hygiene work practices should be used when installing or removing Ride-On . In case of ingestion, seek medical attention. If individual is drowsy or unconscious, do not give anything by mouth; place individual on the left side with the head down. If individual is conscious and alert, induce vomiting by giving syrup of ipecac or by gently placing two fingers at the back of the throat. If possible, do not leave the individual unattended. Please refer to the Material Safety Data Sheet for more details or call 1-800-255-3924.

Q: Does Ride-On work in tube and tubeless tires?

A: Ride-On will eliminate 85-95% of your flats in tubeless tires from objects up to 1/4" (1/8” for tube tires) that penetrate the contact area of your tire. Ride-On’s efficiency in tube tires is reduced to 55-65% since puncturing objects often tear the tube. It is impossible for a tire sealant to seal a tear. It is vital to remove the puncturing object immediately from a tire containing a tube to prevent further damage that can result in tearing the tube.

Q. What area of the tire does Ride-On protect, and what is the effectiveness in sealing punctures?

A: The Ride-On™ Commercial High Speed™ (CHS™) formula (“Ride-On”) is designed to coat the crown of the tire (please see diagram below). The shape of the tire casing and centrifugal force generated by the rotation of a tire forces Ride-On to cover the inside crown area of the tire. Ride-On is not designed to protect the outside 1" to 1.5" of a tire's tread closest to the shoulder areas. The effectiveness in sealing punctures in the crown of the tire is an estimated 85 to 95 percent in tubeless tires. Effectiveness in puncture sealing drops to about 55 to 65 percent in tubed tires, since there are two membranes involved and since tubes have a tendency to tear or rupture when punctured. Read more about the Ride-On coverage area »

Q. Are all of your formulas the same sealant (interchangeable) and just packaged differently?

A: No. All of our Ride-On formulas are very different products. Each has been designed and engineered to provide you with the maximum performance in sealing and balancing capabilities for its intended application; i.e. Auto, Motorcycle, Commercial, ATV, Motoscooter etc.
For example, the differences between our Motorcycle and Auto formulas, the different shapes of the tires (flat vs. cupped/rounded), the differences in acceleration, and the differences in suspension dynamics, all play a crucial role in how these different formulas perform and why they have been engineered in a manner that is application specific. As another example our ATV sealant is rather viscous with rubber particles, which may create a severe vibration/balancing issue if it were to be installed into your Auto and/or Motorcycle tires. Furthermore, the ATV product is designed to seal larger punctures in off-road only tires.

In summary, we categorically do not recommend that you substitute one of our formulas for another. For optimum performance, we recommend that you buy the correct sealant for your intended application.