Will Fix-a-Flat Fix a Slow Leak?

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It can be pretty annoying when you suddenly feel a shift in your car’s handling while driving. It’s even more annoying when you hear that hissing sound that alerts you to a hole in one of your tires.

Will Fix-a-Flat fix a slow leak?

Fix-a-Flat is an aerosol product used for tire repairs, including slow leaks. It can help prevent air leaks and seal tire holes immediately.

Fix-a-Flat uses a liquefied propellant to inflate a tire, acting as a sealant in the process. The latex emulsion hardens along the inner wall of the tire, sealing the leak.

There is more to using Fix-a-Flat on tires, and in the rest of this article, we dive into the details. We talk about the pros and cons of Fix-a-Flat, compare it to Slime, and much more.

Will Fix-a-Flat Fix a:

Slow Leak?

Yes, Fix-a-Flat will fix a slow leak. Fix-a-Flat is an aerosol product used in the quick repair of a flat tire.

If you are driving and suddenly notice you have a slow leak, Fix-a-Flat can offer a temporary solution.

Fix-a-Flat simply seals the hole, stopping the leak and inflating the tire simultaneously. It allows you to fix your tire anywhere with no prior knowledge, spare tire, or tools.

Rim Leak?

Fix-a-Flat does not work for rim leaks. Fix-a-Flat may fix a hole in the tread area of your tire, but it will not fix a rim leak or a valve leak.

How Does Fix-a-Flat Compare to Slime?

Slime and Fix-a-Flat are pretty similar, although it is said that Slime can fix leaks repeatedly for two years.

Nonetheless, the warning on the product states that you should not use it on vehicles that go on the highway. If you use Slime and travel regularly on major roads, you will need to replace your tires soon.

You can use Slime on almost every tire. It is suitable for cars, bicycles, ATVs, motorcycles, and trucks.

However, the amount used on each tire varies according to the type of tire and vehicle.

Determining the best product between Slime and Fix-a-Flat can be difficult, given that both products have similar functions.

Fix-a-Flat is easier to use and is recommended for those looking for a quick fix.

But if you require something that lasts longer before you repair your tire, then go for Slime.

How Long Does Fix-a-Flat Last?

Fix-a-Flat can last for 100 miles or 3 days. But it is not recommended you rely on Fix-a-Flat for that long.

However, Fix-a-Flat has been known to seal tires for several years. Tire experts have claimed that Fix-a-Flat may last for 7-10 years.

It means Fix-a-Flat may even outlast the tire unless it becomes flat again.

How Long Can You Drive on a Tire With Fix-a-Flat?

When you seal a leak in your tire using Fix-a-Flat, you are advised not to drive for more than 4 miles.

When you drive on a tire sealed with Fix a Flat, you risk damaging that tire. Once Fix-a-Flat hardens, it starts to eat away the wheel rim when you leave it in for too long.

Some people have driven for several years on a tire sealed with Fix-a-Flat, but this can be risky. The nail or screw that caused the first leak may cause another leak which will flatten your tire a second time.

Do not forget that Fix-a-Flat is a temporary fix. So, after using it, the best thing to do is take your car to the closest repair shop.

Fix-a-Flat can also cause your tire to be unbalanced. In turn, this imbalance will cause a vibration problem while you drive. So, you should not move on a tire with Fix-a-Flat for more than 4 miles.

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Fix-A-Flat Aerosol Tire Inflator

Bundle includes 2 Fix-A-Flat Aerosol Tire Inflators with Hose for Standard Tires
Seals and inflates in seconds
Hose top works on all wheels
TPMS safe
Easy and safe to use – non-flammable formula

Pros and Cons of Fix-a-Flat For Tire Repair

Pros

It Is Quick and Easy to Use

Fix-a-Flat is safe and quick to use with a simple-to-attach-on-any-tire nozzle. You can even apply it to all large vehicle tires.

It helps to seal your tire and inflates it with the push of a button with no hassle. It also allows you to get back on the road on time.

No Tools Are Required

Fix-a-Flat can seal up to 1/4 inch punctures and does not require any spare tire or tools. It also keeps your tires from leaking out more air, preventing any further damage.

It Is Not Harmful to the Environment

Fix-a-Flat is eco-friendly, non-flammable, non-corrosive, and non-toxic.

Cons

It Can Destroy the Tire Pressure Monitoring System

The TPMS helps to monitor the pressure of your tires through a small hole. Once you apply a sealant into your tire, it may seal this hole completely.

With this hole sealed, your tire pressure monitoring system may become faulty, and it can be costly to repair. Most times, the TPMS has to be replaced. So if you have the means to fix your tire, do it rather than use a Fix-a-Flat.

It Can Corrode Metal Parts of the Wheel

A canister of Fix-a-Flat contains R134A, which is the same substance used in car air conditioners. When this substance mixes with water, it is capable of eating away paint, rubber, and aluminum.

Due to the sealant’s corrosive characteristics, it can adhere to the rubber walls of the tire. But when it comes into contact with the rubber, it will compromise the tire’s integrity a little.

Letting the sealant touch the rubber for too long will diminish the integrity of the rim and tire. The tire will become unbalanced and will vibrate when you try to drive fast on the road.

If your spare tire is available, use it and not Fix-a-Flat. With a spare tire, you should be able to get to a nearby repair shop. It will not put you in any danger, and you do not need to go through the trouble of cleaning the inside of your tire.

The Tire Wear Will Be Uneven

Using Fix-a-Flat does not guarantee an even distribution of the sealant inside your tire.

Some areas of the tire will get more sealant than other areas.

Then as the foam begins to harden, the overall weight inside your tire will be uneven. It causes the wheel to be out of balance resulting in uneven tire wear.

White car with punctured car tire on a roadside

When you have unbalanced tires and uneven threads, your safety while driving in the rain or snow is compromised.

The Tire Rim Is at Risk

When you apply Fix-a-Flat, the liquid from the canister turns into a stiff, dry foam within a short time. This fluid can sometimes spill onto the rim of the tire.

You have to clean it off immediately before it hardens, and this can be an issue.

Some tire repair shops will not offer to clean your tire because it can be pretty tedious. But if you do not remove the sealant, the rim will be eaten away through corrosion.

When this happens, you will be forced to remove the bad tire, clean the rim, and put on a new tire.

Other Options for Fixing a Slow Leak

Multi-Seal Tire Sealant With Kevlar

The Multi-Seal Tire Sealant seals and repairs any holes in your tires. With the addition of Kevlar, the compound is enhanced, providing a more protective barrier.

It stops slow leaks allowing you to stay on the road longer.

Slime

Although it has a weird name, Slime is one of the most effective sealants available. It can seal 1/4-inch puncture holes, which are about the same size as a nail or screw.

It is an ideal preventive measure to keep around and is suitable for different vehicles.

Stan’s NoTubes Tire Sealant

Stan’s NoTubes sealant has double the sealing crystals. It is of a larger size than your standard sealant, and it can seal any large hole in your tire quickly.

Final Take

You can seal your tire with Fix-a-Flat but remember it is a temporary solution.

After you use Fix-a-Flat, drive your car to a nearby repair shop immediately to get your tire fixed. You may damage your tire if you decide to ride with it for an extended period.

If you are to choose between a sealant and a spare, use the spare tire. You can then have the leaking tire fixed properly.