“Is Fix A Flat bad?” is a question that many car owners ask before they use this product. It sounds like a lifesaver if you are driving home and you suddenly have a flat tire, as it can seal it up and get you on your way in a few minutes.
Despite this, many drivers are concerned about using this tool for sealing up holes in their tires when they don’t have a spare because it might cause damage. In this guide, we take a closer look at whether Fix-A-Flat is a good idea for your car.
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Is Fix-A-Flat Bad?
No, Fix-a-Flat is not bad. Fix-A-Flat is a good idea for your tires if you have flat tires, you don’t have a spare, and you are far from home or any repair shop. Also, Fix-A-Flat is only good as a temporary measure.
Since Fix-A-Flat is only temporary, you should get your tire repaired or replaced by a professional once you get home. Fix-a-Flat is a short-term sealant that allows you to plug your tire when you have a flat. It’s better to use it as a last resort because the sealant can ruin the inside of your tire.
Not many mechanics and car repair shops want to help you clean or repair a tire that was sealed by a sealant. This is because it is labor-intensive to clean the sealant from a tire. You might also spend a lot of money on repairing a tire that has dried sealant. For this reason, it’s not advisable to use Fix-A-Flat until it is completely necessary. Here are the situations where you might need to use this sealant.
In An Emergency
If you have an emergency, you might have no choice but to use Fix-A-Flat. If you are on the road and you suddenly have a flat, you should use the tire sealant. It is a quick and reliable solution if you only have a small puncture and want to seal it up before you visit a mechanic.
When A Tow Truck Isn’t Available
If you’re on the road with a punctured tire and you can’t get a tow truck, or it would take hours for one to get to you, you should consider using the sealant. You can use this and drive to the nearest mechanic once the tire is sealed.
When You Can’t Change Your Tire Safely
When you cannot safely change your tire, you should use the sealant. For instance, if you’re on the side of the road and there is no room to use a jack and start bringing the spare tire out of your trunk, you should just spray the sealant and be in your way.
When You’re Rushing
If you’re in a rush, you should use the sealant to patch the hole in your tire. Rather than trying to rush through installing a tire, it’s better to spray the sealant and be on your way.
What Are the Advantages of Using Fix-A-Flat?
The advantages of using Fix-a-Flat include the ease of application compared to plugs and tire patches, the fact that it saves time and money, the portability and easy storage, and the versatility. It is also affordable and can be used on any type of tire.
Convenient for Emergencies
Fix-a-Flat repair kit is convenient to use for emergencies. You can quickly use the sealant for your tire to get back on the road. All you have to do is apply it directly to the tire without any specialized tool, and it will seal the hole. It is an effective and convenient solution for dealing with a punctured tire on the side of the road or when you’re far from home.
Saves Time and Money
Using the sealant would also save time and money compared to calling roadside assistance or getting out the spare tire. Fix-a-Flat is known for being affordable, and you won’t have to spend money on emergency flat tire repair.
Prevents Damage to the Rim
The sealant would also help you fix your flat quickly and prevent damage to your rim or tire. If you continue driving with a flat tire, you might crack or bend the rim or cause the tire to wear out unevenly. So, you should seal it up quickly before going back on the road.
Versatile and Portable
You can use the Fix-a-Flat sealant on any tire, including cars, motorcycles, and cars. It is also portable, so you can store it in your trunk or car and use it whenever you need it. Even if you have limited mechanical experience, you can quickly seal up your leak and get on the road.
What Are The Downsides of Using Fix-A-Flat?
The downsides of using Fix-a-Flat include the messy cleanup, the fact that it can damage your tire and ruin your TPMS sensor, and is not good to use in the winter months. It is also a temporary fix, and you will have to replace your tire anyway.
It Is Difficult to Clean Up
One of the disadvantages of using Fix-A-Flat is that it is messy. One of its main ingredients is polyurethane, and once the tire sealants gets exposed to air, it hardens, and you won’t be able to remove it. That is, most mechanics would avoid taking up a job to remove the sealant from your tires.
It Can Cause Damage
The chemicals in the sealant can damage your tire. If you need sealant for your tire, you should make sure to clean it as soon as possible. If not, the chemicals can consume your rubber, and it will deteriorate. That is why the tire repair kit is not a permanent solution. The sealant won’t fix major punctured tire issues, too, and is only ideal for a small hole or leak.
It Might Affect the TPMS Sensor
Another problem is that the Fix-a-Flat could affect the tire pressure monitoring system in your car. If you have a TPMS on your car, the chemicals in the sealant can cause the sensor to stop working.
Your TPMS should be safe if you remove the sealant quickly, so you should contact a mechanic to remove it as soon as possible.
It Is Not Ideal for Cold Regions
Sealant is not good for use in colder regions. The sealant can freeze after a while, and this would make it unsuitable for some places in the US during the winter. You can defrost it even if it freezes, but it would be really difficult. If you haven’t sprayed it yet, you can use the can by warming it up in the interior heater vent of your car.
It Is Not Always Good for Motorcycles
Motorcycles are not ideal for sealants like Fix-a-Flat. The sealant is ideal for tubeless tires that are on cars and trucks, but a lot of motorcycles still have tubes. So, the sealant won’t seal the tube leak or close run-flat tires. If you seal it with the Fix-a-Flat, it will lead to unbalanced riding.
How Does Fix-A-Flat Work?
Fix-a-Flat works by spraying the can of the sealant into the hole in your tire to close it and then testing it by driving your car. Locate the flat tire, close it up, and contact a mechanic. Then, remove the sealant as soon as possible.
Follow the steps below to use the Fix-a-Flat sealant:
- Park your car on a leveled surface and then use the brakes. Set the parking brake and put blocks at the back of the tires so they won’t roll while you’re driving.
- Then, rotate and inspect the tire to find the leak source. Look out for sharp objects that might have caused the leak, and then position the puncture at six o’clock.
- Locate the tire valve, usually found outside of the tire.
- Shake the can of tire sealant seriously for about 30 seconds.
- Screw the hose onto the valve, ensuring that it is very tight. Hold the can upright and press the button firmly. It would be activated immediately.
- Once it is sealed, unscrew the hose from the valve and drive for a short time.
Driving would allow you to increase your tire pressure, and once it seals, you can get yourself to the nearest mechanic to replace your tire and remove the sealant.
How Long Can You Drive After Using Fix-A-Flat?
You can drive for a short distance after using Fix-a-Flat. Once you use Fix-a-Flat on your tire, it will only last for a short distance before you have to replace or repair it. This is because Fix-a-Flat is a temporary solution.
If you drive your car with a tire that was only sealed with Fix-a-Flat, it will probably get flat again while you’re driving. If you push it, you can drive your Fix-a-Flat tire for up to three days. It’s not advisable to keep on driving with the tire sealed with sealant because it would also damage the tire in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Fix-A-Flat Seal a Slow Leak in a Tire?
Yes, Fix-a-Flat will seal a slow leak in your tire. If you have a flat tire and a slow leak, you should use the seal to close up the gap or hope with the sealant. This will only work if you have a tubeless tire that can be sealed.
Why Do Tire Change Places Reject Tires With Fix-A-Flat?
Tire change places reject tires with Fix-a-Flat because it is hard to remove them. The sealant would compromise the ability of the rubber cement and might also affect the tire. Plus, it is prone to failure and is really hard to remove once it’s time to remove the sealant.
Can You Fill Your Tire up With Air After Using Fix-A-Flat?
Yes, you can fill your tire up with air after using Fix-a-Flat. It will seal punctures up to a quarter of an inch, and then you can fill the tire with enough air pressure to get you back on the road.
Conclusions
With our guide on the question, is Fix a Flat bad, you know now whether this tire sealant is a good choice for you or not.
Here’s a summary of what we covered in this guide:
- It is not bad to use Fix-a-Flat, but it is only a temporary fix, and it comes with some downsides.
- You should use Fix-a-Flat when it is an emergency when you don’t have access to a tow truck, and when you’re in a rush.
- The advantages of Fix-a-Flat include ease of use, affordability, and versatility for all cars and trucks, and it prevents damage to the rim.
- The downsides of Fix-a-Flat are the cleanup it requires, the damage it causes, and the fact that it affects the TPMS sensor.
You should use Fix-a-Flat when it is absolutely necessary, and you don’t have any alternative. But if you do, the better choice is to repair your tire.
References
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