Do flat fixers work?

turbobum · 12-13-2008, 03:02 PM

For those who have used products to fix a flat, how well did/didn't it work?

There's the BMW and Continental kits (both very expensive - do they work better?), the green slime sludge and fix-a-flat. Did I miss any?

Please refrain from opinions, I know some people would rather have a spare and there are those out there that actually like the run flats. Share your experiences.

I'll start...I've never had a flat so I don't know squat about these products. To me, not getting a flat is the best solution, but not everyone may agree. :thumbup:

Artmasterx · 12-13-2008, 05:34 PM

The good thing about the BMW and Conti kits is that they function as normal air compressors as well, so that you can fill up when you just need air and not sealant.

I have not had a chance to use the flat fixing capabilities of any of them, thankfully.

GMT II · 12-13-2008, 06:20 PM

The air compressor feature is nice, especially if your local garage charges a fee for air (charge for air, amazing!). I believe the BMW and Conti kit uses a latex based sealant while the green stuff uses something else. The latex is easier to remove from the wheel and tire than the "something else". For $70 or so I got the Conti kit for my winter setup. I think the 135i is a terrific value but any upsale product from BMW is a total ripoff. There is no way on earth the mobility kit is worth $100+.

PA135i · 12-13-2008, 10:58 PM

I got the Conti kit also for the same reason. It's a quality kit that fits neatly in the right side of the trunk where the net holds it in place.

IDBMW · 12-14-2008, 06:59 AM

You never had a flat? :iono: Either you are really young or extremely lucky. I get at least one flat a year. Or at least find a nail in the tire I have to deal with.

I have the older BMW Mobility kit with the air compressor and fix a flat all in one unit. Like Artmasterx mentioned you can use the air or the sealant. I have never used the sealant but have used the air compressor to get home when I came out and found my tire flat. Instead of waiting for BMW Assist I just filled up the tire and went to a tire repair shop to get it fixed. I would try to avoid the sealant if I could, it may damage the TPMS.

m7ammed · 12-14-2008, 08:42 AM

A question, if you use a sealant which I assume fills the hole from the inside and then go to a tire shop to do a repair on the tire(patch) will they be able to remove the sealant thing ? or would the tire be ruin after you use the sealant?

jeremyc74 · 12-14-2008, 08:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adood84

A question, if you use a sealant which I assume fills the hole from the inside and then go to a tire shop to do a repair on the tire(patch) will they be able to remove the sealant thing ? or would the tire be ruin after you use the sealant?

It wouldn't be ruined, but they can't remove it. It coats the inside of the whole tire.

The sealant works, but you should avoid it on modern cars with TPMSs. It cloggs the pressure sensor and it will have to be replaced. The stuff also makes a mess and the rim will have to b cleaned when the tire is replaced.

I carry tire plugs and a small compressor.

The good thing about the TPMS is that it will give you advanced warning before you actually blow a tire out. In my experience it's nearly always possible to plug a tire at least well enough to get to a tire shop, and usually it fixes it completely. :w00t:

BlackjackMulligan · 12-14-2008, 10:09 AM

Tire plugs FTW.

I have used Fix a Flat on older cars I've owned and had good experience with it.....however these vehicles did not have TPMS sensors.

WeekendWarrior · 12-14-2008, 12:52 PM

i used it. it works.

rcracer_tx · 12-14-2008, 02:28 PM

I had to use fix a flat on the way home from Oklahoma. It claims that it is tire sensor safe, but i was skeptical. It actually works as described and my sensor still works after putting it in a couple weeks ago.It sealed the tire completely as well.

turbobum · 12-18-2008, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeremyc74

It wouldn't be ruined, but they can't remove it. It coats the inside of the whole tire.

The sealant works, but you should avoid it on modern cars with TPMSs. It cloggs the pressure sensor and it will have to be replaced. The stuff also makes a mess and the rim will have to b cleaned when the tire is replaced.

I carry tire plugs and a small compressor.

The good thing about the TPMS is that it will give you advanced warning before you actually blow a tire out. In my experience it's nearly always possible to plug a tire at least well enough to get to a tire shop, and usually it fixes it completely. :w00t:

I thought about bringing a plug kit; they're not expensive. However, you have to make the hole BIGGER to insert the plug.

Can the hole be repaired after the inside of the tire has been coated in goop? Also, all this sludge in the tire throws off the balance of the wheel.

I'm just hoping to temp fix the tire until it can be properly fixed, off the rim at a tire store.

4wheelcycle · 12-31-2008, 08:52 PM

When I switched to non-run-flat Blizzak WS 60s for the winter I bought a can of Slime and also Slime's Heavy Duty Tire Inflator (Comp 06), which costs about $51 at Amazon with free shipping. I also bought a set of tire patch plugs, so I'm covered three ways.

If I ever get a flat, I hope it will just be a nail with a slow leak, so I can pump the tire up and get home, then to a repair shop.

Slime says their product is water soluble and can be washed out completely, with no damage to TPMS sensors.

Having an inflator on board to pump up slow leaks is especially important with RFTs. If you get to a repair shop without running on a completely flat tire they can be repaired like any other tire, but once you run on a completely flat RFT I'm told repair shops will not repair them for fear the sidewall may have been permanently weakened.

12-13-2008, 03:02 PM	#1
turbobum Family Man 14 Rep 126 Posts Drives: White '09 135i Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Washington State iTrader: (0)	Do flat fixers work? For those who have used products to fix a flat, how well did/didn't it work? There's the BMW and Continental kits (both very expensive - do they work better?), the green slime sludge and fix-a-flat. Did I miss any? Please refrain from opinions, I know some people would rather have a spare and there are those out there that actually like the run flats. Share your experiences. I'll start...I've never had a flat so I don't know squat about these products. To me, not getting a flat is the best solution, but not everyone may agree. :thumbup: __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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12-13-2008, 05:34 PM	#2
Artmasterx Captain 46 Rep 884 Posts Drives: 2007 BMW 335i Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: MA iTrader: (0) Garage List 2006 Volvo V70R [10.00] 2007 BMW 335i [10.00]	The good thing about the BMW and Conti kits is that they function as normal air compressors as well, so that you can fill up when you just need air and not sealant. I have not had a chance to use the flat fixing capabilities of any of them, thankfully. __________________ Current: 2007 335i sedan Alpine White \| Sports \| Premium \| Cold \| Comfort Access FORMERLY: 128i coupe Alpine White \| Sports Package \| Black Leather
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12-13-2008, 06:20 PM	#3
GMT II Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 290 Posts Drives: I ride the bus. Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: NYC/Staten Isl. iTrader: (0)	The air compressor feature is nice, especially if your local garage charges a fee for air (charge for air, amazing!). I believe the BMW and Conti kit uses a latex based sealant while the green stuff uses something else. The latex is easier to remove from the wheel and tire than the "something else". For $70 or so I got the Conti kit for my winter setup. I think the 135i is a terrific value but any upsale product from BMW is a total ripoff. There is no way on earth the mobility kit is worth $100+. __________________ 2009 135i Coupe Sedona Red/Beige Boston Leather 6MT / ZPP / ZSP / Nav / Prem. Hi-Fi / Sirius / CA / Heated Seats (you keep the ski bag) / Park Dist. / HD Radio (because it was free)
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12-13-2008, 10:58 PM	#4
PA135i Brigadier General 968 Rep 3,323 Posts Drives: 08 135i 08 CR-V Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Pennsylvania iTrader: (0)	I got the Conti kit also for the same reason. It's a quality kit that fits neatly in the right side of the trunk where the net holds it in place.
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12-14-2008, 06:59 AM	#5
IDBMW Captain 41 Rep 825 Posts Drives: 2019 X3 M40i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Boise, ID iTrader: (0)	You never had a flat? :iono: Either you are really young or extremely lucky. I get at least one flat a year. Or at least find a nail in the tire I have to deal with. I have the older BMW Mobility kit with the air compressor and fix a flat all in one unit. Like Artmasterx mentioned you can use the air or the sealant. I have never used the sealant but have used the air compressor to get home when I came out and found my tire flat. Instead of waiting for BMW Assist I just filled up the tire and went to a tire repair shop to get it fixed. I would try to avoid the sealant if I could, it may damage the TPMS. __________________ 2019 X3 M40i - Black Sapphire Metallic - Mocha Lather - 21" 718M wheels - Every option except Sun Shade
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12-14-2008, 08:42 AM	#6
m7ammed Captain 210 Rep 959 Posts Drives: 2019 M2 Competition Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Saudi Arabia iTrader: (0)	A question, if you use a sealant which I assume fills the hole from the inside and then go to a tire shop to do a repair on the tire(patch) will they be able to remove the sealant thing ? or would the tire be ruin after you use the sealant? __________________ Instgram: @m7m_photo
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12-14-2008, 10:09 AM	#8
BlackjackMulligan Most interesting Roadster 69 Rep 2,224 Posts Drives: '01 Z3.0 Roady;'10 C300 Sport Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Boston 'burbs iTrader: (5) Garage List 2010 Mercedes-Benz ... [0.00] 2001 BMW Z3 3.0 Roa ... [0.00]	Tire plugs FTW. I have used Fix a Flat on older cars I've owned and had good experience with it.....however these vehicles did not have TPMS sensors. __________________ I can't complain, but sometimes I still do........Life's been good to me so far. - Joe Walsh
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12-14-2008, 12:52 PM	#9
WeekendWarrior I'm not as dumb as you look. 4 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 135i Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: NJ/FL iTrader: (0)	i used it. it works. __________________ Is this thing on?
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12-14-2008, 02:28 PM	#10
rcracer_tx Banned 55 Rep 2,013 Posts Drives: BSM 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Texas iTrader: (0)	I had to use fix a flat on the way home from Oklahoma. It claims that it is tire sensor safe, but i was skeptical. It actually works as described and my sensor still works after putting it in a couple weeks ago.It sealed the tire completely as well.
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12-31-2008, 08:52 PM	#12
4wheelcycle Private 13 Rep 70 Posts Drives: 2018 X3 M40i, 2018 X2 M Sport Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Hampshire iTrader: (0)	When I switched to non-run-flat Blizzak WS 60s for the winter I bought a can of Slime and also Slime's Heavy Duty Tire Inflator (Comp 06), which costs about $51 at Amazon with free shipping. I also bought a set of tire patch plugs, so I'm covered three ways. If I ever get a flat, I hope it will just be a nail with a slow leak, so I can pump the tire up and get home, then to a repair shop. Slime says their product is water soluble and can be washed out completely, with no damage to TPMS sensors. Having an inflator on board to pump up slow leaks is especially important with RFTs. If you get to a repair shop without running on a completely flat tire they can be repaired like any other tire, but once you run on a completely flat RFT I'm told repair shops will not repair them for fear the sidewall may have been permanently weakened.
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