Flat tire fixes | Consumer Reports

We test products that promise to fix a flat tire quickly without having to jack up your car. Some are compressor units and others are aerosol cans.

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[mrolskul]

I too have used Fix-A-Flat in the past (25-30 years ago) without issue, I never had the tire repaired nor replaced till it wore out years later. I still own my 1985 Corolla GT-S and don't have to worry about a tire pressure monitoring system within my wheels. I use a good old-fashioned tire gauge and check my tire pressure every time I fill up my gas tank. Oh, and don't forget to check the spare as well. Car people get it.

[edsanchez]

About 30 years ago while coming back from Rosarito, BC i got a flat tire and it was a Sunday afternoon and no tire shop was opened. Luckily i bought a can of Fix A Flat and immediately put it to work. This thing worked like magic and got me back on the road in minutes! I ran the same tire well over 2 years until i
needed to replace it due to regular tire wear. Great product and a life saver!

[Frip]

Gene's charisma could power an amusement park.

[ricardoruizlopez]

this kind of product is a life saver...I have just had an experience with my motorcycle. I was in the middle of nowhere... so I applied a similar product and helped to arrived to the next town and fix my tire. l really recommend to carry one of this on your trips.

[Steve-hhgsyoi]

I keep a can of Fix a Flat in my cars(s) for over a decade with no problems. Over 100 degrees in summer, too. I have also used it and it lasted for the remaining life of the tire too. Once i had to use 2 cans, but it worked. I always keep an extra can just in case. The more expensive pump gadget is not needed, imo.

[MarjorieEarlDean]

"Tell'em why that's bad Gene." 😂

[fabou]

when I was younger (30 years ago), used fix a flat for a tire. Can never blew up in my trunk. The seal lasted for about 2 years. Still carry one in my trunk. I'm sure my new car will hate it but if it allows me to get off a busy highway safely, its worth it.

[Dee--Jay]

Temporary fix? I had a slow leak that would go from 34lbs to 20 in a week or 2. I used fix a flat and 3 yrs later, i haven't had to put air in da tire again

[babjikarri]

The 'temporary fix' claim is just to cover their asses, I've had this stuff in one of my tyres for 3 years now, never had a problem!

[sleekcartim]

ive used slime in tires for many years, its saved my life several times
including one time i ran over a 1/4 inch drill bit without losing any air (slime was already in tire). I wouldnt have even known i did except i kept hearing a taping noise from the bit sticking out hitting the pavement. this vid sez all of the sealers are temporary, but slime sez you can leave it in tire for up to 2 years so...

[besteli]

I had a flat and used fix a flat which didn't inflate my tire more than an inch off the ground so i rolled to a tire shop and they only charged me $10 to clean all that gunk out, patch my tire's hole, and re-air it. I gave them $20 because they had to go through all the trouble of cleaning it out which was completely my fault not knowing it made a mess that would ruin the inside of my tire.

[paulparoma]

Heat is one problem to consider, but these things don't work in winter at all because the goo in the can freezes solid. Otherwise, they can be quite helpful.

[philc.]

Everyone says to take the tire to be repaired after using these spray tire cans. I purposely left it in a couple cars for many years without getting the tire fixed and it seemed to hold just fine. Eventually had tires replaced and took a closed look at the one with the spray. Over time it just coats and dries over the whole inside of the tire. I'm not suggesting this to everyone but there are alternatives. If the spray is in one of the front tires you might notice a slight steering wheel shake due to the extra weight that may off balance the tire. Over time the weight evenly distributes and no problems with vibration anymore. You can always rotate the front repaired tire in the back too

[tayninh]

I once used a can of tire sealer/inflate and a day later I took the tire/wheel to the service garage to have it fixed permanently. When the guys found that latex ball of gooey slime coating everything inside the tire, they told me that using that stuff really isn't good for a wheel or the tire. It promotes wheel corrosion and it is not an easy job to remove the gooey mess. I haven't had any tire issues in a very long time, but when I did have one I just inflated the tire and took it to the service garage and for 10 bucks they fixed it, balanced it and put it back on the vehicle. You can buy a 12 volt portable air compressor for less than 25 dollars and it's a lot better for your tires and wheels.

[dollarsandcents]

Consumer Reports, you people are FUCKING ethical !!!

[loktom]

If you drive a flat only just a hundred meters or less to a stop from highway speed. That tire inside and the sidewall would be already damaged by the rim regardless you were able to inflated it back for driving. It must be inspected by a technician as soon as possible and get a replacement.

[suikwan]

I just apply the fix a flat to one of my tire and when I bought my car to couple auto shop, none of them wants to look at it or repair the tire, they all said fix a flat is corrosive and it will destroy your tire and wheel, they all recommend me to replace the tire ASAP. Is the Auto shop right? and if that is the case then why do those shops sell this product?

[antonjoubert]

Never had issue with this, just read and follow the instructions carefully, this does not work for sidewall leaks or really big holes

[brianhession]

One thing left out was some of these fix-a-flat cans use flammable gas to inflate the tire. Any spark when dismounting the tire could harm the technician .

[xorion]

this is not for something that last forever, this is something for emergency use, so let say if you're going on a vacation with your family and in the middle of a desert you have a flat tire. So what you are going to do? you wait there until some stranger help you or you fix it yourself so fix a flat  is for temporary use to fix your tire so you can enjoy your vacation