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Old 08-29-2012, 02:47 PM
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Default fix a flat, tire fix in a can

i don't carry a spare in my firebird and was wondering do the fix a flat type products in a can work and if so what are the best ones, any experiences etc

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Old 08-29-2012, 03:14 PM
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I haven't looked at the current products, but when I was younger I worked for Goodyear and one of the issues we had was that some of that stuff was flammable. The guy next to me was grinding the inside of a tire to prep for a patch. One spark and it took a few weeks for his eyebrows to grow back.

Anyhoo, keep in mind that the stuff in the can may seal a small leak temporarilly, but it will not reinflate the tire.

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Old 08-29-2012, 04:26 PM
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they work pretty good for small leaks (to seal an old tire but not a big puncture) and have enough pressure to get a flat tire rolling to tire repair center,better brand out there is the green can Slime....

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Old 08-29-2012, 05:03 PM
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Dont use it, it is bad stuff. The extra goo in your tire clunks around when it hardens and unbalances your tire.

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Old 08-29-2012, 05:24 PM
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It's a PITA to deal with after your 'crisis' is over, but it can get you out of a tight spot on the side of the road. Be prepared to pay a premium to the tire shop that has to deal with the stuff when you go to get the tire repaired properly. You definitely do want to get it all cleaned out of the tire.

I used to have a tire repair kit for my motorcycle. Had a couple tools, plugs, and a CO2 cartridge powered filler. I bet you can get a kit that's designed for car tires. If not, get the MC kit and several extra cartridges.

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Old 08-29-2012, 06:08 PM
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I always travel with an air pump (powered via the cig lighter) and a plug kit. I've gotten so good with it that I can plug the leak and fill the tire faster than you can jack it up and remove the lug nutz.

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Old 08-29-2012, 06:12 PM
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Carry a cheap cigarette lighter air compressor and a plug kit. The tire slime is semi-effective, makes a big mess, and when it comes time to properly repair the tire, a patch won't adhere to the inside surface readily due to the contaminated surface. Tire slime is nasty stuff, IMO. Plug it on the road and be done with it.

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Old 08-29-2012, 10:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by geeteeohguy View Post
Carry a cheap cigarette lighter air compressor and a plug kit. The tire slime is semi-effective, makes a big mess, and when it comes time to properly repair the tire, a patch won't adhere to the inside surface readily due to the contaminated surface. Tire slime is nasty stuff, IMO. Plug it on the road and be done with it.
X2... I too carry a mini compressor and plug kit. Also a mini spare in case of blow-out or sidewall cut.

Fix-A-Flat in a can is nowhere near the problem as Slime but still not the right way. In a real pinch you do what you got to do, but its not a good idea to rely on that stuff.
Neither the plugs or can repair stuff is going to help if you get a slice in the sidewall. Good luck trying to put a patch inside of a tire roadside.

A good spare tire is best. A mini is ok to get you to a safer spot. A Posi rear wont like the mini much and will tear the posi up real quick. Just dont drive it any further than you have to. Preferably slow too! If possible rotate tires so both rears are same size!

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Old 08-29-2012, 10:55 PM
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i used fix a flat. worked great.
eventually started leaking from the hole making the hole easy to find.
i plugged it and it lasted the life of the tire.
i think most tire stores just want to be notified that the stuff is in there; i never was charged extra because of it, but maybe.
heck, it doesnt take up much room in the trunk and just might get you out of a jam.

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Old 08-29-2012, 11:02 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PMDRACER View Post
I haven't looked at the current products, but when I was younger I worked for Goodyear and one of the issues we had was that some of that stuff was flammable. The guy next to me was grinding the inside of a tire to prep for a patch. One spark and it took a few weeks for his eyebrows to grow back.
Similar thing happened to a unfortunate local fellow here 15 years ago. He was called to weld-up a crack in a large tractor rim. Unknown to the welder, the owner had used several cans of fix-a-flat in an attempt to stop the leak. The resulting explosion took the welders head clean off from the chin up.
Fix-a-flat has since changed to a non-flammable product.

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Old 08-29-2012, 11:04 PM
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I keep a can in my wife's and my mothers cars. It can save you in a pinch, especially non mechanical people.

I have a plug kit in my car.

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Old 08-30-2012, 03:19 PM
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why not carry a spare tire? ...and a can of fix a flat.

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