How far is fix-a-flat good for on an auto tire?

Question

I got a flat last week and the sidewall was damaged, making repair impossible. My tires could use replacing anyway, so I figured I'd just buy a new set after I get back from traveling for the holidays. In the mean time I've been driving on the (full size) spare.

Then today I get another flat on my way to work. Should I just use fix-a-flat on my problem tire and hope it can get me home? (about 15 miles, can avoid taking the freeway if I have to) I'm flying out tomorrow morning and really don't have time to deal with this.

Is there more risk in using sealants like fix a flat on low profile tires? Mine are 225/40/18's.

I will be buying 4 new tires next week. Assuming I can get home, the car will not be driven again until this is done.

Will fix a flat get me home or do I need to tow it/get a ride/borrow another spare.

I will be buying 4 new tires next week. Assuming I can get home, the car will not be driven again until this is done.

Will fix a flat get me home or do I need to tow it/get a ride/borrow another spare?

Answer 1

Any damage on the side wall is a junk tire.
I understand you want to do your traveling but in this case replace the tires. If you get stuck someplace ( and you know you will) It will be the farlest place from home when it goes poff.
Spent the money for the tires or you may not be able to travel at all.
Tires are not something to play with.
Ho[pe this answers your question and helps you.

Answer 2

Fix a Flat is worthless fix all the stuff does is put a quart of propane and other chemicals it can be alittle sticky and it smells real bad. It also make the rubber harder on the inside. I worked at a tire shop and had to refuse to fix the tires because of that stuff Even the manager I worked with would not touch them. It makes it more difficult to make the patches stick to the tire. I had to fix a couple though but they always came back because the repair did not hold. you would have been better off with a nearly new set of tires from a junkyard then to stick that stuff in them.

Answer 3

Fix a flat is good for getting you home. That's what it's made for. Replace the tires. Fix a flat will not work in all situations. Also, it can make repair unpleasant or impossible. It gums up the rims. There are preventative slimes which you can use. They too are messy. Some places won't work on a tire that has been slimed. Good luck.

Answer 4

Fix-a -flat does its job by chemically 'dissolving' part of the inside of your tire, and depositing the sticky residue in the offending hole. While this may get you home, if left in the tire it will continue to dissolve the tire from the inside out. If you use this stuff, at the very LEAST inform the technician changing the tire BEFORE they even start to release the air pressure in said tire as this stuff is just toxic enough to cause injury to the tech, not to mention the damage to the tire that may not evidence itself for some time after repairs are effected to the tire. A better product would be 'slime' it is not as caustic as it has media that seals without chemically dissolving tire material, although, you need some way to inflate the tire after installing the 'slime', I carry one of those inexpensive 'compact' 12 volt cigar lighter plug air compressors for this purpose, it works slow, but it does work.

Answer 5

Avoid the fix a flat if at all possible. It is unreliable and the tire will be junk after you use it. Buy a used tire or get a ride to the airport.

Answer 6

fix a flat is so temporary that the tire may be flat when you get back from vacation__________leave the car at home and get a cab to the airport....fix and replace the tires when you return from vacation and this is the less-worry way-to-go...........