by "Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
Published 08/24/2017 at 08:21
by "Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
Published 08/24/2017 at 08:21
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STARS: 0
I got a nail in my tire about a month ago and it held air fine, though it did slowly leak. After a week or so, I added Fix-A-Flat and it held up great. I was planning on getting new tires this weekend after I finished moving into my new place, but then yesterday I got out and heard a hissing sound. Sure enough, my tire was literally squirting Fix-A-Flat all over the place. I’ve never seen that before.
But anyway, long story short, I’m getting my tires replaced early. $60 for two used ones, matching, balanced, and mounted. Can’t beat that.
Wait, yes you can. I could have bought two steelies WITH tires for $40 at the junkyard and sold these old ones to make my money back. I could have, anyway, if the first-gen Soul wasn’t the only car in the world with its specific dimensions. I’d have to settle for the wrong offset, and that’s just too much to think about right now.
"jimz" (jimz)
08/24/2017 at 08:37, STARS: 9
Fix-a-flat is supposed to be a temporary band-aid, meant to help you get somewhere to get the tire fixed. you’re not supposed to leave it in there; it’s rather caustic and will corrode your wheel.
And I hate it just on principle; when I was a garage monkey I lost count of how many people would put that shit in their tire then fail to tell me it was in there. Getting blasted in the face with ammonia while trying to dismount the tire was no fun.
"Tekamul" (tekamulburner)
08/24/2017 at 08:41, STARS: 0
Fix-a-flat is like a spare tire. You are only supposed to use it to get to a shop or to get home. It doesn’t last very long.
The Soul doesn’t have a spare? Damn bean counters
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
08/24/2017 at 08:49, STARS: 5
If I were you, I’d invest in a tire plug kit and a 12v air pump. A proper tire plug will hold a long long time and it the kit costs way less than a can of fix a flat.
"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
08/24/2017 at 08:53, STARS: 0
It was optional. I have a junkyard spare, but still haven’t found a jack that fits in its slot.
"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
08/24/2017 at 08:54, STARS: 0
I do have a pump, and from now on im carrying some short, fat screws to use as VERY temporary plugs.
"Rainbow" (rainbeaux)
08/24/2017 at 08:56, STARS: 0
Yeah, I just got really behind on getting new tires. It’s like those commercials about that voice in your head telling you that car stuff can wait. I just felt cheated that it happened with about a millimeter left before the wear bars. If I’m changing the tires already, I want to get ALL the use out of them.
"nerd_racing" (nerd189)
08/24/2017 at 09:02, STARS: 6
A tire plug kit is like $5 including the rubber plugs, the glue, the rasp, and the needle for fishing it in. Probably cheaper than good sized screws and sealant. Just something to consider.
"TorqueToYield" (torquetoyield)
08/24/2017 at 10:27, STARS: 2
I once had a tire with 3 walmart plugs in it that lasted until the tread wore out.
Not sure I would recommend that, but the plugs are amazing.
"merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc" (merged-5876237249235911857-hrw8uc)
08/24/2017 at 10:34, STARS: 0
Do you live somewhere it doesn’t rain? I mean waiting till 1mm above wear bar is well into the replacement window of under 6-4mm tread. Danger zone! Tires are so important and not worth trifling with less than good products. I have a co worker that perpetually runs her tires to bald and i finally got through to her by positing the what if she slides into the back end of somebody or something because the tires are junk, what’s that going to cost you out of pocket? $250-$1000 at least, depending on the deductible. That will more than pay for a set of good tires.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
08/24/2017 at 10:46, STARS: 1
I had a similar experience - little brother got a flat while driving my folks car and instead of getting it fixed he just pumped a can of fix a flat into it. Two weeks later I’m over there and notice the tire is half inflated and there is green goo. My folks had said the tire pressure light kept going off and there was a new vibration while driving. Ended up having to get new tires and a new TPS thingy plus paying to have the wheel cleaned of all that goo. At this point I’d never use that stuff except for a very last resort, (and I sure don’t like vehicles being sold with a can of that stuff rather than a functional mini spare...)