Tire repair kit - any good?

9Zs_Ed

I picked up a nail in my tire last night, most likely VERY close to home, and overnight my tire went completely flat. Today, I drove it about 2 miles until the warning light came on and I got it back home; no more than 25 MPH.

Left sidewall rubber trail on my driveway and garage floor, so maybe the tire's already trashed. The tire was too hot to touch when I first got it home. Again, 2 miles, < 25 mph.

Anyway, I can feel the nail and it's pretty near the center of the tread, WELL away from the sidewall, so it should be repairable (IF it's not already trashed).

Then, I filled it up to 40 psi, and I can HEAR the air coming out. RIght now, I have the car positioned so the nail is at the bottom and the pressure is now 28 psi, 2 hours after I put the air in, so, with the weight of the car on it, it slows it down quite a bit.

But, under driving conditions, I don't know if I can trust being able to drive the car 10 miles to the tire store. The alternative is getting a tow.

So, I was thinking of using the "fix-a-flat" kit just to hedge my bet to get the car there and was wondering if it does the job.

03g35coupe6mt

why dont you put the spare on if you have one ? then drive it to the tire shop

9Zs_Ed

No spare - tire repair kit instead.

03g35coupe6mt

i guess you could try the fix a flat . havent used that stuff in years . it should at least slow the leak down enough to get it there . and if you have a tire pump you could bring with you if you dont think you will make it without the light going on again .

SteveBad

Forget that liquid sealer crud.....

I have been fixing flats for many, many years with a tire plug kit, and a small 12-volt compressor.

No need to even remove the wheel from the car, and never had a failure.

If the flat can't be fixed with that method, then you would have needed a new tire anyway. (Example: sidewall damage)

Pick up a quality plug kit at any parts store. It should contain tools that have T-handles, not the screwdriver handled ones. It will also contain the plugs and cement. I also carry a new razor blade to trim the plug, and a pair of vise-grips to pull the nails / screws out. Also, a towel to lay on the ground. Even with the compressor, all this stuff still takes up minimal space.

The "trick" to it is never to twist the plug ..... Just stab it straight in, and yank it straight out.

__________________
"Take the cannollis..."

03g35coupe6mt

Yeah always use plugs myself . only time ive used the liquid stuff is when i absolutely cant find a leak and then i use the green slime stuff .

Bucketlist2012

The fix a flat stuff may damage the tire pressure sensor..

__________________
2009 Sport/Touring 370Z
1971 Z/28 with coil overs, rushforth's, willwoods, Hotchkis. 4 speed
GMC Sierra1500

madwi

$20 at my dealership fixed me right up. Well worth it in my book, except I gotta find some new rubber for my ride before the track (RE-11 I hear are no more )

9Zs_Ed

Got a tow and got lucky - the tire was patchable.