Having a flat tire is not what any driver or car owner will ever wish for. Especially, when driving on deserted roads, you want to pray that your tires never get punctured. Even if you have an extra tire, the wish will still be the same.
But, is having a flat tire something you can ever avoid for the entirety of your driving activity? I don’t suppose.
However smart or careful you’re, you’ll still experience a flat tire at least once in a lifetime. That must be an understatement, anyways. You may experience more, or even much more.
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How Long Does Fix-A-Flat Last?
On average, fix-a-flat can last up to 100 miles or 3 days, depending on which one comes first. This means that from the day you sprayed it through your tire valve into the tire, the formula can stay up to three days.
The longevity of fix-a-flat depends on how properly you apply it. If not used correctly, it may not take up to 30 minutes. This way, it will remove the puncture and so returns your tire to its original flat condition.
After purchase, however, may sure the can is not opened or exposed to atmospheric air. You can be sure the product can last in your garage or on your shelf for at least years.
Otherwise, it will freeze and damage. Don’t forget that fix-a-flat can freeze after some time, whether in the can or when applied to your tire. This is so especially if the freezing temperature falls below zero degrees Celsius (32oF).
However, when the fix-a-flat product freezes, it doesn’t mean that it’s spoiled. To make the product thaw, what you should do is to allow the can to warm. You can use your car’s interior heat vent.
However, if the freezing takes place when the formula has already been sprayed into your tire, take your tire to a tire service. A qualified tire professional will help you repair it and get it fixed.
But don’t let the frozen aerosol stay longer than 3 days inside your tire. Otherwise, the tire may damage, leading to buying a new tire.
What does fix-a-flat mean? Fix-a-flat is a fine solid particle that is used for tire repair when it goes flat. The substance quickly inflates your tire while coating it from the inside.
So, when you spray the liquid propellant into the stem leak valve, it helps to plug punctures and leaks. As a result, your car can easily get back to action while taking you back on the road in minutes.
Fix-a-flat is usually used after an emergency due to a flat tire. The fix-a-flat product does two things: it fixes your flat tire and inflates it in minutes.
When used on a tire, it can last 2 years, saving you the cost of buying a new tire. Fix-a-flat is quite easy and safe to use. One thing you can rest assured is that fix-a-flat will plug at least a quarter-inch (¼ inch) of the punctures or leaks in your tire.
The icing on the cake is that you won’t have to use a jack or any special tools to spray the aerosol into your tire valve.
Fix-a-flat is also eco-friendly. Although it increases the lifespan of your tire, fix-a-flat has its lifespan. Once it is open from its special can, the product cannot be used after 2 years. The fix-a-flat cylinder can be recycled and dropped inside your recycling or trash can.
Does Fix-A-Flat Work Permanently?
No, fix-a-flat is applied on your flat tire as a temporary or stopgap solution. It is a quick fix for a flat tire to help you get back on the road after a moment of tire failure.
Imagine a scenario that you’re almost late for an urgent appointment and your tire suddenly goes flat. It works like a tire sealant. Like the tire sealant, fix-a-flat only serve a momentary purpose.
The product will seal the hole in the tire, inflate it to get some PSI. The product offers support for immediate mobility on the road.
It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner driver. Fix-a-flat doesn’t require any skills, tools, or spare parts. With no knowledge, you can use the solution, even in the middle of the road.
Because fix-a-flat is a temporary solution to a flat tire, it is recommended that it’s removed after a few minutes of applying.
Fix-A-Flat Vs Slime: Which One To Choose And When To Use It
Having highlighted how fix-a-flat works, let me take some time out to explain how slime works differently from fix-a-flat.
Slime tire sealant may work the same way as fix-a-flat, there is a little difference between them. Slime is only suitable for vehicles that do not ply the highway.
However, fix-a-flat is easier to apply than slime. Both products are eco-friendly, non-corrosive, non-toxic, water-soluble, and non-inflammable.
While fix-a-flat may contain some solution of aerosol, slime doesn’t. both fix-a-flat and slime are suitable for all kinds of tires: directional, non-directional symmetric, and asymmetric. Slime can also work on different vehicles, including ATVs, trucks, SUVs, cars, bicycles, and motorcycles.
Choosing which of these two types of sealants is best depends on the kind of tire repair you’re looking at. No doubt it’s a bit tricky to choose the better of slime and fix-a-flat considering the number of similarities they share.
However, fix-a-flat is easier to apply on tires than slime. If you’re looking for a quick fix to your tire, it is better to go for fix-a-flat. Apart from ease of application, fix-a-flat is more affordable and available. More car owners and drivers prefer fix-a-flat to slime products.
However, slime is considered to be more durable than fix-a-flat. It’s believed to last longer and can stay beyond the 3-day or 100-mile mark of fix-a-flat.
Can I Apply Fix-A-Flat?
Yes, you can safely use fix-a-flat using a DIY procedure. As a matter of fact, I have always applied the aerosol myself each time I had a flat tire.
At times, tires deflate at points where you don’t have access to a tire professional. At some other time, when you’re in an emergency, you’ll have to quickly fix your flat yourself, isn’t it?
While the process of using fix-a-flat is relatively simple, you must get familiar with the rubrics. Otherwise, you may run into trouble. The steps must be safely done to avoid damaging your tires and other internal components of your vehicle.
Here is the five-step guide to using fix-a-flat. You don’t need any special tools or materials.
Step 1: Pull Over To A Safe Place
Once you notice that your tire is flat, pull over to a safe place. Make sure the vehicle is in a safe area on the road to avoid any potential accidents.
Step 2: Inspect The Tire Air Pressure
After parking, use your pressure gauge or PSI checker, check the amount of air pressure in the affected tire. Knowing this will give you an idea of how much you’re to inflate the tire. It’ll also inform how much fix-a-flat the tire will require.
Step 3: Apply The Fix-A-flat Can
It’s time to connect the fix-a-flat valve to the tire. Start by lifting up the hose end of the fix-a-flat. Connect the hose to the tire’s stem valve. Once this is done, the tire will start to inflate.
Step 4: Don’t Overfill The Tire
While the tire is getting inflated, make sure you fill it with enough PSI. Don’t underinflate or overinflate. Usually, there is a sound that accompanies the filling as the air pressure passes from the fix-a-flat through the stem valve to the tire.
Step 5: Remove The Fix-A-flat Can
After you’ve put enough air pressure into the tire, it’s time to disconnect it and cover the stem valve with its cap. Once capped, the air pressure is sealed and air won’t escape from the tire.
Will Fix-A-Flat Work In Cold Weather?
Yes. To answer your question in straight terms, fix-a-flat is best used during cold weather. Weather condition is one of the factors that determine how long a fix-a-flat will endure in your tire.
How long the aerosol seal will last is partly a function of how cold or hot the weather is. The lower the temperature, the more effective the sealant will be. Fix-a-flat is best effective when you apply it during the winter season.
This is because fix-a-flat can freeze when you open the can and get the formula exposed to the elements. When the liquid propellant freezes inside your tire, the tire will cause some imbalance in driving.
Your driving patterns suffer a great deal of instability and difficult maneuvering. The other tires can also be affected due to the uneven driving pattern. Consequently, it will put the vehicle at great risk. Other internal damages can occur in the process.
How Long Can You Drive With Fix-A-Flat?
Let me answer in direct terms that you can drive with fix-a-flat. Typically, it is not safe to drive with fix-a-flat for more than three days. The liquid propellant doesn’t actually inflate your tire to the normal air pressure.
As a result, you will still feel that the tire a little bit pops or wobbles due to low pounds per square inch (PSI). It is recommended, therefore, that you should use fix-a-flat as a temporary road mobility reinforcer.
As soon as possible, get the tire fixed by either patching or plugging. I won’t recommend, as experts and manufacturers will do, fix-a-flat more than 100 miles or three days, whichever comes first.
However, if you notice some discomfort after a few hours of using fix-a-flat, kindly drive your car to the nearest qualified tire repairman to help you take a look. The truth is that fix-a-flat can last longer or shorter than you think.
Nevertheless, don’t take any chances by trying to prolong the recommended duration the formula should stay in your tire. There are factors that can cause the formula to have a shorter lifespan of 3 days or 100 miles.
Final Words
Generally, passenger vehicle tires react to punctures differently. Some can get damaged very quickly once it is punctured. Others can endure before you notice the puncture.
Apart from the relatively higher cost, patching might not be the right call when you’re in an emergency. Fix-a-flat helps in times of emergency and it’s proven to be very effective for repairing flat tires with the help of tools or skills.
It is one of the best-known affordable and durable supports when driving under unfavorable weather conditions.
When your tire is badly punctured, fix-a-flat might not be possible due to the extent of the damage. But you can use the fix-a-flat method in different situations to test how reliable and consistent the formula can be.
Never risk your life in dangerous situations while driving. Give a quick fix to your tire and drive until you get to a safe place. Although a patch r plug may do the same work as fix-a-flat, they can cause the entire place to mess up.
They are as reliable as fix-a-flat. This is why fix-a-flat is the go-to solution for a quick-fix flat tire. Don’t compromise your safety and that of other commuters.
My name is James. Call me your ‘Born Auto Neighbor.’ I am an auto savvy with a burning enthusiasm to help vehicle owners, auto technicians, DIYer auto caregivers, and drivers like you have a seamless time with your vehicles. Do you own or work on a Dodge Convertible, a Chevy Crossover, a Ford SUV, a Toyota Hatchback, a Honda Coupe, a Datsun MPV, or a Mercedes Sedan? I have enough automotive content to help your auto service and repair on the go.
I have been around for more than a decade, examining and analyzing car issues while proffering practical fixes that will help you spend less time and money. I take auto care, service, and maintenance very seriously and my tested experience in the industry means that you can always get the best auto tips and tricks.
Don’t fall for the auto myths; take the facts as I give them out freely.
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