TylerDurden

Folks,

I was wondering if it is safe/recommended to use Fix-A-Flat or
one of those instant puncture sealers on my Tires if I have a flat and I need to get going in a hurry without swapping the flat tire for a spare.

Secondly if I use one of those products does it seal the puncture
temporarily or permanently ? In other words should I still visit a Tire Shop and have them fix my tire with some sort of a permanent plug.

Has anyone had any problems with such products or they are the best thing since sliced bread.

Thanks in advance.

mdp c230k

Use the temporary type only. Get it fixed asap and have the tire removed from the rim and cleaned out. The permanent type of fix-a-flat can destroy the rubbers integrity under high temp conditions and it throws off the balance if it is not driven until fully cured before you stop. It also adds some extra weight but that is the least of the worries.

zimmer26

I thought once you used that stuff the tire was pretty much done(didn't know about the temp. kind.) But in any case, unless you're in a real pickle, take the extra 15 minutes to put the spare on, its safer and you have a better chance of saving the pricey tire.

Buellwinkle

Judging from the size of the pump that came with the spare it will likely take you 15 minutes just to inflate it. I've never used fix-a-flat because I can always call MB roadside assistance or AAA if I don't want to get dirty and a spare if I'm in a hurry.

madryan

from experience... the car is a hassle to change to a spare.. mission one is getting to the jack.... mission two is to take of the flat....... mission three is to place the spare on ...... four is to pump it with air....... five is to switch out the lug bolts.......etc..

sounds crazy... but i would rather do this then to worry about a tire that will be harder to fix ( if it' just a plug)

maybe you;ll get lucky and get one you can plug..... and not a slash in the sidewall like i had

zimmer26

Nope, about 5 as I recall when I got my nice little flat this summer, and no offense but I think I'd be embarrassed to call someone to help me change a tire. I understand that we paid for this service, but honestly it took me maximum 25 minutes and that was with putting everything back all nice nice. To be fair, I guess I would call MB if I was in a tough spot or shady area I suppose.

Buellwinkle

Looks like Cartman's lost some weight but the real issue, how do you put everything back together nice-nice? The real tire won't fit in the hole where the deflated spare was, hopefully it fits in the hatch area at all. Also, how do you deflate the spare so it goes back in afterwards?

mdp c230k

You could use another nail! LOL

Scylas

I think its pretty lame to ask for help on changin a tire... I can change a tire in 10-15 minutes... specially in a small car such as a mercedes. If it was a heavy Land Rover or something, thats different ( I say it cuz last weekend we had 2 change the tire on a Discovery, we went off roading and had a flat tire, those thigns weight a lot)

Matt230K

Buell, actually deflating the spare is the best part. It just folds right back up to how it was. And it's kind of neat to watch, cuz one sidewall folds first and the wheel sticks way out on the other side. It looks like the tire will come off the bead, but then the other sidewall folds in and the wheel comes back to center.

Hopefully you don't ever need it, but it's neat to see, and I guess not a bad idea to save space.

jswedberg

Gee, I wish I had a spare tire ....

All I got is pricey MB Fix-A-Flat!

Mach430

I went out and bought Fix-A-Flat, thinking that it would be a great thing to have-just in case... Turns out, it says only to use it on specific rating tire. Make sure you read the can before you buy it! (I've got 3 cans collecting dust in my garage now).

BlackC230Coupe

the fix a falt says do not use on Z rated tires. the C7 Michlien tires are z rated.

Drew_ML

Keep in mind that the non-MB ones are not necessarily designed to withstand high heat. That is, after parked under the hot sun during the summer, you may open your trunk to find a huge gooey mess! I know from experience. Thank god it was in a separate plastic trunk.