Apollo scooter tires: tubeless, self-healing, and what that means for youUpdated 21 minutes ago

All Apollo scooters come equipped with tubeless self-healing tires — there is no inner tube. This article explains what that means, how the self-healing system works, what to do if you have a flat, and the correct specs if you need a replacement tire.

Does my Apollo scooter use an inner tube?

No. All Apollo scooters come with tubeless self-healing tires. There is no inner tube inside, and the rims are designed specifically for tubeless use.

Can I add an inner tube to a tubeless tire?

No — and we strongly advise against attempting it. Apollo rims are designed exclusively for tubeless tires. The bead seal between the tire and the rim is what holds air pressure in a tubeless setup, and adding an inner tube to a rim not built for it creates an incompatible and unsafe configuration.

If you're experiencing air loss or flat tires, the sections below cover the right steps.

How self-healing tires work

Apollo tires contain a self-sealing compound built into the tire casing. When a small object — a nail, thorn, or road debris — punctures the tread, the sealant flows into the hole and plugs it, often without you noticing a flat at all.

What self-healing handles well:

• Small punctures in the tire tread from road debris

What self-healing cannot fix:

• Large cuts, gashes, or sidewall damage
• Punctures caused by glass with sand content (the sand interferes with the seal)
• A valve stem that is loose or defective
• A bead that has broken the seal against the rim

If the tire has significant damage or a sidewall cut, replacement is needed.

If you're losing air or experiencing a flat

Step 1 — Check the obvious causes first

• Valve core: Press on the valve stem tip and listen for air. A loose valve core is a common cause of slow leaks and can be tightened with a valve core tool.
• Bead seal: If the tire bead (the edge where the tire meets the rim) has come unseated, air will escape regardless of the tread condition.
• Tire pressure: Underinflation allows the sidewall to flex and can break the bead seal over time.

Step 2 — Do the soapy water test

Mix dish soap and water and apply it to:

1. The bead/rim edge all the way around
2. The valve stem (tip and base)
3. The tire tread

Small bubbles indicate the source of the leak.

Step 3 — Re-seat the bead if needed

If the bead has come loose:

1. Deflate the tire fully
2. Massage the bead back toward the rim edge on both sides
3. Re-inflate using an electric pump or air compressor — hand pumps typically can't generate enough airflow to seat a tubeless bead properly
4. Check that the "witness line" (the thin rib near the rim edge) is even all the way around before riding

Tip: If the bead won't seat, wrap a ratchet strap or belt around the center of the tire tread and tighten it. This pushes the sidewalls outward toward the rim and helps the air begin sealing the bead.

Recommended tire pressure

Recommended tire pressure varies by model. Check your model's manual or the tire sidewall for the correct value — the sidewall's maximum rating always takes priority.

Note: Tire pressure can drop 1–3 psi in cold weather and rise in very hot conditions. Check pressure regularly, especially with temperature changes.

Replacing a tire

Replacement tire specs vary by model and year. Using the wrong tire size can cause rubbing against the fender or an improper bead fit on the rim. To confirm the correct spec for your scooter, check your model's manual or contact our support team.

Replacement tires are available directly from Apollo Scooters at [apolloscooters.co/pages/parts-accessories] [PLACEHOLDER_URL]. If our stock is temporarily unavailable, contact our support team for alternatives.

Frequently asked questions

I found an inner tube online that matches my tire size — will it fit my Apollo scooter?No. Apollo rims are tubeless-only and are not compatible with inner tubes. Purchasing a tube for your scooter is not recommended.

My tire keeps going flat even after re-seating the bead. What's wrong?Persistent slow leaks after re-seating usually point to a defective or loose valve core, debris trapped at the bead, or a bent rim. Contact our support team if the issue continues after checking all three.

Can I use a hand pump to inflate the tire after removing it?Hand pumps rarely generate enough airflow to seat a tubeless bead. An electric pump or air compressor is needed. Once the bead is seated and sealed, a hand pump is fine for topping up pressure.

My tire has a cut on the sidewall — can the self-healing compound fix it?No. Sidewall damage cannot be repaired by the self-healing compound and requires a full tire replacement. Do not ride on a tire with sidewall damage.

Note: This article does not apply to the following legacy models: City 2021–2022, Explore, Ghost, Phantom v1, v2, v3, v4 (except for V4x), Air 2021-2022 as they are not tubeless.