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do those fix-a-flat cans work?

robphelan

robphelan

Diamond Member
went out this evening & noticed my tire was flat.. aired it up with my trusty compressor and heard the tell-tale hiss of a leak.

a long thin nail was the culprit. I removed it and out gushed more air.

it's starting to drizzle & I was thinking about using a can of fix-a-flat to avoid having to change tires in the rain. i've heard good and bad things.

the worse being that if you havea good tire & use this to temporarily repair a hole, tire shops won't patch the hole & i'd have to buy a new one?

any experience out there?

Moved to The Garage
ZV - AnandTech Garage Moderator
 
EH i wouldnt use fix-a-flat, pain in the ass for the mechanic and doesnt work too well. I would get a plug from checker or something or just put the spare on.

Hmmm with the sidewall portion, you could try fix-a-flat and see how it fares for you since the tire is not repairable anyways

Edit: just saw it was on the sidewall
 
<---- Car forum known as "the Garage" is that way.

Might get more/better answers.

(It's not my forum area, so I can't move it for you.)

Fern
 
Worked for me. Worked well too but its considered a temp fix. You should get the tire fixed or replaced as soon as you get a chance.
 
Originally posted by: zoiks
Worked for me. Worked well too but its considered a temp fix. You should get the tire fixed or replaced as soon as you get a chance.
Click to expand...

yes, i intend to get it fixed at costco tomorrow during lunch.. but i was trying to get out of changing the tire in the rain tonight.
 
Originally posted by: chusteczka
Those fix-a-flat cans are not a good idea since they have the potential to explode the tire and cause harm.
Click to expand...

If you read the link you posted they say that fix-a-flat and others have removed the flammable propellants from their formulas.
Faced with tougher competition and after numerous lawsuits, Fix-A-Flat finally changed their ingredients and stopped using the explosive mixture. Fix-A-Flat continues to this day to only sell the non-flammable cans of Fix-A-Flat.
Click to expand...

Link to product information
 
Its ok for a small distance, small amount of time and if you're going to get the tire replaced. Other than that, that shit is horrible to work with. Gums right up on the bead and makes it really screwy when you remove the tire.
 
Originally posted by: Crazee
Originally posted by: chusteczka
Those fix-a-flat cans are not a good idea since they have the potential to explode the tire and cause harm.
Click to expand...

If you read the link you posted they say that fix-a-flat and others have removed the flammable propellants from their formulas.
Faced with tougher competition and after numerous lawsuits, Fix-A-Flat finally changed their ingredients and stopped using the explosive mixture. Fix-A-Flat continues to this day to only sell the non-flammable cans of Fix-A-Flat.
Click to expand...

Link to product information
Click to expand...

Thanks for setting me straight. That is a good example of how long it takes to change public perception. I made the decision never to use that product due to the possibility for explosion and I will most likely never find a need for it.
 
Originally posted by: robphelan
alright. i'm going to man-up and just change it in the rain..
Click to expand...

Probably your best option. The Fix-a-Flat products DO work, but as has already been said, the tire shops hate it. It's a real PITA to remove when they have to work on the tire. AFAIC, that stuff is fine if you're in the middle of nowhere and don't have a spare, (emergency use) but not for normal flat tire service.
 
Just go to the auto parts store and get a tire plug kit, a blind monkey with cerebral palsy could do it.
 
I have used Fix-A-Flat on a tire with a slow leak. Basically after about three days the tire would be flat. I aired the tire up 3/4 up and finished it off with the can. No problems. Tire holds air fine now.
 
portable air compressor ftw. saved my ass last time I got a flat tire (though I guess I could have just called triple A too and gotten a tow; I have a spare, but no clue how to put it on)
 
Originally posted by: Pale Rider
I didn't know there were actually people in the world who don't know how to change a tire.
Click to expand...

never had the opportunity to learn 🙁

if I find myself stuck on the side of the road with my choices being: a) call AAA and hang out in my car while waiting for them, or b) attempt to learn how to change a tire on the fly with nothing to guide me but my reasoning skills... I'm calling triple-A 😉
 
Originally posted by: loki8481
portable air compressor ftw. saved my ass last time I got a flat tire (though I guess I could have just called triple A too and gotten a tow; I have a spare, but no clue how to put it on)
Click to expand...

Gawd forbid you should get your hands dirty or...break a nail...😛
 
Originally posted by: BoomerD
Originally posted by: loki8481
portable air compressor ftw. saved my ass last time I got a flat tire (though I guess I could have just called triple A too and gotten a tow; I have a spare, but no clue how to put it on)
Click to expand...

Gawd forbid you should get your hands dirty or...break a nail...😛
Click to expand...

:laugh:

I have to admit I changed my first tire a few months ago - I just have never had a flat before that. Word to the wise - don't jack your car up on gravel if you can avoid it.
 


I wouldn't use that fix a flat stuff if I had another option. Maybe if I was stuck on the side of the road without any other option I would use it to get home.
 
ok, done. took a bit longer than it should have - it did stop raining on me.. I was pretty excited about that.. so I broke out my high velocity fan & pointed it at my work area..turned on my stereo in the garage. I was about to open a beer, but decided to put that off til later.

i took my time enjoying my 'man' work, then, it started to rain again.

crap.

fortunately, this did happen at home where I have a compressor & air tools - removing all 6 lug nuts took about 45 seconds after I found the right size socket.

threw the bad tire in the truck bed & I'm ready to go. I started it up to move it away from the garage & noticed I'm low on gas.

double crap.

there goes another $75 (but that's a rant for another day)

thanks alot for the input.

rp
 
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