do those fix-a-flat cans work?

[Xyclone]

According to the tire shop I go to, if any damage is on the tread or shoulder of the tire, it's better to replace it (they won't repair it). Both sidewall/tread damaged tires were replaced for free (warranty). They are probably saying it to make money, but the tires take so much pressure during hard braking, hard turning, hard acceleration, etc., that's it's probably better to just replace it.

EDIT: Whoops, didn't read the rest of the posts. Good thing you didn't depend on making a temporary fix permanent.

 

[thomsbrain]

put on the donut and go get the tire patched properly. many places will patch tires for free.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: Xyclone
According to the tire shop I go to, if any damage is on the tread or shoulder of the tire, it's better to replace it (they won't repair it). Both sidewall/tread damaged tires were replaced for free (warranty). They are probably saying it to make money, but the tires take so much pressure during hard braking, hard turning, hard acceleration, etc., that's it's probably better to just replace it.

EDIT: Whoops, didn't read the rest of the posts. Good thing you didn't depend on making a temporary fix permanent.

Um, you mean sidewall?

 

[alkemyst]

Fix a flat should be used in just an emergency...if you are where you have a compressor and your tools, it should not be what you are looking at.

A plug is decent, a patch a bit better.

Once used fix a flat really should be removed from inside the wheel and the tire replaced or repaired.

Still people use it, get a plug and then just keep driving. Doesn't make it right though.

 

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: lokiju
Just go to the auto parts store and get a tire plug kit, a blind monkey with cerebral palsy could do it.

Well you have come a long way

 

[Vette73]

Another reason to not use the fix a flat stuff is it will through the balance of your tire out as well.

The liquid moving around will mess the balance up and if you try and balance it, the tire can;t balance as the weight from the liquid keeps moving.

 

[JeffreyLebowski]

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.

I like to call those people "women" or "Metros".

I learned how to change a tire on my 1st car. As in I had to change the tire when I bought it. lol

 

[Pacfanweb]

Depends on which type of flat repair you're talking about but generally speaking:
1. Yes, they work.
2. No, they won't hurt the tire.
3. Yes, they will likely make the tire out of balance.
4. Yes, the tire changer will hate you.

 

[Arkaign]

That crap gets all over the inside of your rim as well. Looks like crusted poo when you swap the tire. I recommend avoiding whenever possible, though it does work as advertised.

 

[mooseracing]

I've had no issues with the fix a flat, but I only use it for leaky beads. The slime shit I would never put in a tire.

Other than that I use plugs or plug patches for railroad spike size holes. Not a good experience with those.

 

[DivideBYZero]

My car has one instead of a spare.

 

[MBrown]

Don't use that mess. Where I work at if the costumer uses fix a flat in their tire that they bought from us it voids their warranty. And I HATE changing tires with fix a flat in them!!!

Also it throws the balance way off.

 

[mooseracing]

Originally posted by: Marlin1975

The liquid moving around will mess the balance up and if you try and balance it, the tire can;t balance as the weight from the liquid keeps moving.

So how would that compare to the thousands of people using bb's to balance their tires?

Originally posted by: alkemyst5
A plug is decent, a patch a bit better.

Lol, I haven't see any shop unless you specifically ask for it in michigan patch a tire. That's going to be an 1hrs labor charge to break the bead, clean the inside of the tire and patch it. I run plug patches, greatest thing ever at plugging a hole. But they are a PITA to do since you have to pull part of the tire off the rim, wire wheel the inside and cut any steel wires, get out the vulcanizing compound, then insert. I've been running one for about 3yrs now, rocks, logs, mud, pavement, and at as little as 5psi. No issues.

I wish I had my camera with me when I worked at the County Road Commiss, on sloow (not over 20mpg) vehciles like tractors, graters and the such, I've seen some 12" long line of plugs in the sidewall. I don't know how they stayed in there.