Notices
Wheels & Tires 350Z Rollers and Rubbers

Fix-A-Flat and other similar products... good?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-02-2004, 12:44 PM
  #1  
jreiter
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
jreiter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Fix-A-Flat and other similar products... good?

I no longer have a spare, so I was thinking of carrying a couple bottles of Fix-A-Flat or some similar product in my car. I do have AAA, but it'd be nice not to have to wait on them out in the middle of nowhere if I don't have to.

So anyway, can anyone comment on how well those Fix-A-Flat type of products work? Any better than others? Also, any problems using it with the factory tire pressure sensors? I can't see any reason why the sensors might get messed up (other than coated with slime), but I wanted to check and see if anyone's had any experience.
Old 04-02-2004, 01:29 PM
  #2  
protocav
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
protocav's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: San Diego
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

i have heard, from more than one source, that the chemical that comprises fix-a-flat will eat through aluminum wheels. i wouldn't chance it!!

it is made for old-style steel wheels.
Old 04-02-2004, 01:37 PM
  #3  
teh215
Registered User
iTrader: (8)
 
teh215's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Charlottesville, Virginia
Posts: 5,753
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Default

Not to mention the damage it could cause if it gets into the Tire Pressure Sensor...
Old 04-02-2004, 01:45 PM
  #4  
Rushguy
Registered User
 
Rushguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Orlando
Posts: 346
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I took my dealers advice and got AAA Plus. I would never use the spare unless I was trying to escape a tornado or something.
Old 04-14-2004, 08:29 AM
  #5  
tiswicked
Registered User
 
tiswicked's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: East Orlando/ UCF area
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

I tried using the Pennzoil Fiz a flat crap on my old supra about a year ago and it sucks. I just got the flat, pulled over, put one can in, did nothing, put a second can in. Still did nothing. I was very disappointed, I had to jack up the car and put in the spare. The tires were 245/45. Maybe they were too big??? IT didn't even inflate much if any.

Also tried another Pennzoil fix a flat on a friends sentra and it worked great. In one minute the tire was completly full from being flat. Worked great on the sentra. I think it had 175/70/13 tires.
Old 04-14-2004, 09:05 AM
  #6  
BriA5
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
BriA5's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

BMW Distributes what they call an "M\\ Mobility Kit" when their cars don't have spares or run-flats. I think it is basically a can of sealant stuff and a mini, cigarete lighter-powered air compressor to pump yourself back up. Anyone have any experience with these? If you were getting rid of your spare this could be a great little kit to carry instead, if it works well.
Old 04-14-2004, 04:33 PM
  #7  
jreiter
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
jreiter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Yeah, I wouldn't think that a can or two of tire sealant could fully inflate a flat tire. A small air compressor would be ideal. (But I imagine it would take a while to pump up.)
Old 04-14-2004, 06:58 PM
  #8  
BriA5
Registered User
iTrader: (3)
 
BriA5's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2003
Location: NYC
Posts: 756
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

That's true, it could take a while to pump up. I know my father used to have donuts in his Porsches, but they would be deflated to save space. They provided a similar compressor, but the one time we needed to use it it took quite a while to do its thing. With the exception of the time factor, this method seems the simplest and cleanest to me.
Old 07-22-2004, 12:10 AM
  #9  
03 Z for ME
Registered User
 
03 Z for ME's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 940
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Originally posted by BriA5
BMW Distributes what they call an "M\\ Mobility Kit" when their cars don't have spares or run-flats. I think it is basically a can of sealant stuff and a mini, cigarete lighter-powered air compressor to pump yourself back up. Anyone have any experience with these? If you were getting rid of your spare this could be a great little kit to carry instead, if it works well.
The Corvette Z-06 has the same "kit"... A can of Sealant and a portable air compressor. No Spare - No Run Flat tires.


All I want to know is if the Fix a Flat crap will harm the Tire Pressure Sensors...
Old 07-22-2004, 04:12 AM
  #10  
DavesZ#3
350Z-holic
iTrader: (26)
 
DavesZ#3's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Louisiana
Posts: 15,887
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 17 Posts
Default

From page 5-4 of the owners manual:
Attached Thumbnails Fix-A-Flat and other similar products... good?-snap.jpg  
Old 07-22-2004, 08:28 AM
  #11  
KShep
Registered User
iTrader: (4)
 
KShep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Georgia
Posts: 1,385
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

For those without TPS, no spare due to BBK caliper clearance issues and no AAA plus (checking in to that), would a viable option be:...?

Can of sealant and mini-compressor...should be room for it in the spare tire well.
Old 07-22-2004, 04:29 PM
  #12  
n8vz
Registered User
 
n8vz's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Diego
Posts: 969
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Make sure you check the lable that the content is none-flammable.
Old 07-23-2004, 02:24 PM
  #13  
jreiter
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
jreiter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Does anyone know the brands of sealant used in the Vettes and BMWs that come with those kits? I've decided I don't mind risking the tire pressure sensors. If I ruin one, I ruin one. Oh well. That's better than being stuck with a flat in the middle of nowhere.

I just want to use some good stuff. I figure the factory stuff that Vettes and BMWs use can't be too bad.
Old 07-23-2004, 02:26 PM
  #14  
jreiter
New Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (6)
 
jreiter's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: san luis obispo, ca
Posts: 1,580
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

Regarding AAA Plus, I unfortunately can't get it right now. Should be able to in another 8 months or so, but right now I'm stuck with the regular plan.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
07ZEKE
Brakes & Suspension
2
08-23-2021 09:15 PM
Lt_Ballzacki
Brakes & Suspension
39
08-06-2021 06:19 AM
hajwoj
Autocross/Road
27
11-01-2015 05:25 PM
Tochigi_236
Feedback & Suggestions for Our Forum
8
09-27-2015 03:40 PM



Quick Reply: Fix-A-Flat and other similar products... good?



All times are GMT -8. The time now is 01:30 PM.