DonF

Looking at buying a set of Nitto Invo's for my 2011 GS. I was told by the tire dealer that if I have a flat & use fix a flat that I will mess up my sensors. I haven't heard that before & my 2002 Z06 came with fix a flat & an air pump. Any thoughts on this? Thanks

michaelinmech

Fix a Flat and similar products have been reported to clog Tire Pressure Sensors. Hopefully a member who has utilized this method in a real life situation will post his experience - both with effectiveness of temp repair and long term sensor issues . . . .

car2fast4you

I'm surprised the dealer would say that.
There are many new cars today that do not come with a spare tire, only an "emergency mobility kit", which includes a pump that injects sealant into the tire. The newer "fix-a-flat" products do not clog or damage the tire pressure sensors.
Read more here:
http://www.edmunds.com/car-buying/th...pare-tire.html

QUAKEJAKE

Subscribed

michaelinmech

The newer "fix-a-flat" products do not clog or damage the tire pressure sensors.


I somehow missed that sentence in the linked article your provided - can you specify where it says that please?

car2fast4you

I wasn't basing that statement on the article that I referenced.
I've been researching tires for about 6 months now. I'm ready to make the switch to non-run-flats. That decision is based on the several articles and forum threads I have read about "fix-a-flat" systems, as well as reading the actual product packaging.

According to this article, 13% of new cars do not come with a spare tire. That includes many Ford Mustangs (fact - not in the article), which come with a pump/sealant system. 100% of new cars now come with a tire pressure monitoring system.
http://ask.cars.com/2011/07/how-many...pare-tire.html
I wouldn't be surprised if the C7 came with a pump & sealant system.

michaelinmech

I guess I'm curious - why with the leaps and bounds improvements made in run flat tire technology recently, would you want to abandon that peace of mind assurance. The pump and sealant system works sometimes - run flats work all the time. A tire like the Michelin PS2 ZP performs so well from a handling, ride comfort and noise standpoint that you would be hard pressed to find a non run flat matching or beating it . . . . so, is it a matter of cost only. Just looking for insight.

peter pan

I have been run non-runflat tires for 10 years now and got one nail in the tire, got it fixed and did not have to use a plug or my fix-a-flat that I always carry, just in case, worth the risk to me

sabastian458

I was at the auto parts store getting a can of green slime. It specificaly stated safe for tpms. I will try to snap a picture of the can if it is still in the bed of the truck.

bearman95

Discount tire told me the fix a flat stuff would mess up the rim and sensors.

cclive

Newer fix a flat products are water soluble, so the sensors can be washed out after getting the stuff in them. Water doesn't bother sensors. It's all here in the Slime FAQ section...about the eighth question down:

http://www.slime.com/category/faqs/

Bill Dearborn

When GM started mounting run flats on the Corvette they warned against using tire sealants since they could potentially damage the sensor. The C5Z06 didn't come with tire pressure sensors and GM provided a kit that had sealant along with an air compressor.

The 05 and 10 Corvette and 08/09 Malibu Owner's Manuals have this statement:
Notice: Liquid tire sealants could damage the Tire Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) sensors. Sensor damage caused by using a tire sealant is not covered by your warranty. Do not use liquid tire sealants.

You can find this comment on line. Even though fix a flat is supposed to be sensor free this shop says they don't find the statement convincing.

http://cars.talkzilla.com/boards/rea...ssage_id=13965

The Slime website doesn't seem to say anything about sensors.

If you want to use a sealant then you pay your money and you take your chances. As for me I won't stock any sealant in either my Corvette or Malibu.

Bill

LS WON

This is what I carry and it says that on front of box. I also carry Dyna Plug that I have successfully used before on my old original GY RF tires.
(also carry PX2 powerstation which is an air compressor with a jump battery starter)

I did utilize the run flat feature from the GY runflats but it didn't result in getting stranded or getting a flat tire out in the middle of the road.
Tire shop refused to patch or plug it after they removed piece of metal.
So I had to plug it myself using Dyna Plug and drove it for 6 months with no problem.
Now I have been driving on brand new Continental DWS tires and they are so quiet and smooth compared to original GY runflats that I got 43,800+ miles on with fronts worn (the front tire that had metal in was a defective tire where the belt jump per alignment technician-you could see some of the belt under tire showing which is probably why tire shop didn't want to be responsible for plugging it) but rears were still good.

TJay74

I think GM has changed stance then, my 2009 G8 GXP did not come with a spare and had TPMS on it. it came with a can of slime and an inflator kit to use in emergencies.

cclive

Bill, Here's what I found on Slime site

"As leaders in the tire care and repair industry, Accessories Marketing, Incorporated (AMI), the manufacturers of Slime Tire Sealant wish to address the mandate set forth in the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act, passed in the fall of 2000. In response to this mandate, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard that requires the installation of Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) to all vehicles by September 1, 2007.

From our findings, and after significant dialog with the leading manufacturers of TPMS devices, SLiME Tire Sealant will not damage TPMS devices. We understand TPMS manufacturers have conducted extensive testing to ensure their sensors remain operational after exposure to any chemical fluids that might come into contact with the sensors. This includes after market products, such as Slime Tire Sealant. AMI has also conducted independent testing, which supports and verifies Slime Tire Sealant’s compatibility with TPMS devices. 

Currently, there are two types of TPMS devices available: Direct and Indirect. Slime Tire Sealant’s TPMS formulation is compatible with all TPMS systems. However, it is important to note that once installed, Slime Tire Sealant may come in contact with the sensor in a way that renders the sensor TEMPORARILY inoperable until it is properly cleaned, inspected and re-installed by a tire care professional.

Because Slime is a water soluble flat repair treatment, it is easily removed from the tire with water. At the time the affected tire is inspected by a tire care professional, they should clean the sealant from the tire, prepare the area and repair with a Rubber Manufacturer’s Association (RMA) approved patch/plug. The TPMS device should also be cleaned off with water to remove any sealant which may have come into contact with the device. Do not use any fine objects to ream and clean the small pressure sensor opening as it may damage the electronics. After the repaired tire is replaced and inflated the TPMS system will resume operating as normal.

 Please note that Slime is recommended as a REPAIR for all Over the Road (OTR) applications.Look for our TPMS Safe formulas, denoted by the yellow label and TPMS Safe icon."

fleetc

I had a nail in mine that I had 'plugged' by the professionals, it started leaking too. So it bought a can of 'sensor safe' slime and used it. It DID kill the sensor, but I figured a new sensor was cheaper than a new tire.

CO Lightfoot

I've always carried fix-a-flat in my other cars.

It's not my first choice for a flat tire. But even when there's a full-size spare available, it's good to have the option.

Years ago I helped a soccer Mom with a flat and a van full of kids. She had to get going in a hurry and didn't care about the the gooey mess & possible expense from damage to the sensor/tire/rim. So I used my can of fix-a-flat, no problem.

michaelinmech

Wonder how 'Soccer Dad' felt about it when he had to deal with the expense

LS WON

It's always good to have options.

HOXXOH

Without getting into details, keeping an eye on the pressure by the DIC and carrying a credit card. a cell phone, maybe an AAA card, and a small compressor, will handle 99% of tire issues.

In the last 229,000 miles (43,000 w/runflats) on our current 3 vehicles there was 1 flat (on a runflat) and 1 blowout (non-repairable). Two other potential flats were caught early by watching the DIC before they became a problem.

I don't fear being stranded in the event of a failure. I'm quite used to it. I've had 7 battery failures, 2 dead alternators, and the one blowout that shut me down on those same 3 vehicles.