Concerned about Fix-A-Flat?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
IF you are counting on a jack, deflate your tire and try it in your garage BEFORE you have to use it out on the road !
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jan 29, 2009 at 07:45 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
Another point, those who are planning to use a "space saver spare", that will only work on a front tire.
If your rear tires are different heights, and you drive for any distance, you can ruin your positraction (mechanical clutches in differential).
If your rear tires are different heights, and you drive for any distance, you can ruin your positraction (mechanical clutches in differential).
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
It is 5 inches to the front jacking pad on a stock C5, the normally inflated tire measures 3 inches off the rim. You will only have 2-3 inches of clearance (not counting that the fiberglass sticks out UNDER the jacking pad).
IF you are counting on a jack, deflat your tire and try it in your garage BEFORE you have to use it out on the road !
IF you are counting on a jack, deflat your tire and try it in your garage BEFORE you have to use it out on the road !
There's any number of things you can do to get a jack under a low slung car. Pile a bunch of sticks or dirt in front of the flat and pull up on it if you have to. Or dig a trench beneath the jack point, etc. Where there's a will there's a way! 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 21
From: Waldorf MD
You can actually jack without a puck safely. You just need to be careful about it, and make sure you're not touching any plastic. Pucks just give you a nice big, safe target. There's any number of things you can do to get a jack under a low slung car. Pile a bunch of sticks or dirt in front of the flat and pull up on it if you have to. Or dig a trench beneath the jack point, etc. Where there's a will there's a way!
There's any number of things you can do to get a jack under a low slung car. Pile a bunch of sticks or dirt in front of the flat and pull up on it if you have to. Or dig a trench beneath the jack point, etc. Where there's a will there's a way! 
You are kidding, right ? You get a flat tire along a highway and you are going to look for sticks to pull up on ? Have you even tried to pull up on a board, good luck getting any height out of a pile of sticks !Now, what are you going to dig a hole with, seeing how most of the shoulders are paved? Even if it was dirt, what would you use to dig? Remember you only have 3 inches of clearance. And then you would put a jack in the hole, on soft dirt. You wouldn't get me near that car, much less under it !
I measured the distance to the frame, with no puck included, it is only 5 inches with an inflated tire.
Last edited by Oldvetter; Jan 28, 2009 at 07:13 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,975
Likes: 9
From: "Philly" Pennsylvania
Hello all,
I am looking for new tires and have decided on non-run flat nitto NT555s, but I was concerned about flats and not having a spare (though i have AAA).
After reading about fix-a-flat stories about sensor damage and seeing their can at the store that says "TPMS Safe" I contacted them and their reply is as follows:
Q: Hello, I was wondering if the TPMS safe Fix-a-Flat is safe for ALL
types of TPMS. I have a 1998 Corvette and am considering purchasing your product but was curious to know if there is any type of guarantee your company offers, for example, if I use the product and it damages a sensor as they are quite expensive ($100+) to replace.
A: Dear Chetan, Thank you for your interest in our product. If your
Corvette has Z-rated tires then the use of the Fix-A-Flat product is
not recommended. If you do not have Z-rated tires, the product has
been tested on vehicles with Tire Pressure Measuring Systems and
been shown not to cause problems with that system.
Sincerely
Product Technical Service
Q2: The tires are W rated, nitto NT555 tires.
My question remains un-answered though, does your company stand
behind its promise that the TPMS sensors will be unaffected?
A2: Dear Chetan, We state at our website fixaflat.com that the product
is "Tire Sensor Safe!" Should a problem arise from the use of the
Fix-A-Flat product a claim may be filed with our Feedback and Issue
Department at: 800-237-8645 option 8.
Product Technical Service
So for anyone that has used it and had any type of problem with it, there it is from the horses mouth, try to call and get your sensor reimbursed!! For anyone who's worried about using it (like me), this gives just a bit of peace of mind I suppose, just remember to tell the tire shop who's going to ultimately repair the tire that you've added fix-a-flat If they open it up unaware, its quite a mess from what I've heard- also I'm guessing they may charge a couple bucks extra to wash it out before they repair it(?).
Hope this helps at least one of you guys!
I am looking for new tires and have decided on non-run flat nitto NT555s, but I was concerned about flats and not having a spare (though i have AAA
).After reading about fix-a-flat stories about sensor damage and seeing their can at the store that says "TPMS Safe" I contacted them and their reply is as follows:
Q: Hello, I was wondering if the TPMS safe Fix-a-Flat is safe for ALL
types of TPMS. I have a 1998 Corvette and am considering purchasing your product but was curious to know if there is any type of guarantee your company offers, for example, if I use the product and it damages a sensor as they are quite expensive ($100+) to replace.
A: Dear Chetan, Thank you for your interest in our product. If your
Corvette has Z-rated tires then the use of the Fix-A-Flat product is
not recommended. If you do not have Z-rated tires, the product has
been tested on vehicles with Tire Pressure Measuring Systems and
been shown not to cause problems with that system.
Sincerely
Product Technical Service
Q2: The tires are W rated, nitto NT555 tires.
My question remains un-answered though, does your company stand
behind its promise that the TPMS sensors will be unaffected?
A2: Dear Chetan, We state at our website fixaflat.com that the product
is "Tire Sensor Safe!" Should a problem arise from the use of the
Fix-A-Flat product a claim may be filed with our Feedback and Issue
Department at: 800-237-8645 option 8.
Product Technical Service
So for anyone that has used it and had any type of problem with it, there it is from the horses mouth, try to call and get your sensor reimbursed!! For anyone who's worried about using it (like me), this gives just a bit of peace of mind I suppose, just remember to tell the tire shop who's going to ultimately repair the tire that you've added fix-a-flat If they open it up unaware, its quite a mess from what I've heard- also I'm guessing they may charge a couple bucks extra to wash it out before they repair it(?).
Hope this helps at least one of you guys!
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
The Pontiac space saver is the correct diameter for the rear, the front will only be affected if you brake hard and activate the ABS - not good on a space saver.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Now, what are you going to dig a hole with, seeing how most of the shoulders are paved? Even if it was dirt, what would you use to dig? Remember you only have 3 inches of clearance. And then you would put a jack in the hole, on soft dirt. You wouldn't get me near that car, much less under it !
I'm not trying to call you out here. I'm just saying I can put engineer's mind to work and figure out a way to get that jack under there everytime.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
I'm just thinking of clearance around the brake calipers.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,787
Likes: 22
From: Lititz PA
A number of drag racers use them as skinnies on the front. Although, I thought they were 17" diameter, not 18".
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
Likes: 8
From: Slave to the evil empire
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Donor '04
Considering these tires are only supposed to be rated at something like 50 mph, the last thing I would do is mount one and then drive 110+ mph right next to a concrete wall
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 752
Likes: 1
From: Tulsa OK
I got a jack from a 96 chevy celebrity. It collapses to about 3 inches or less and lifts with a screw. The head on the screw shaft is 19mm, the same as the lugs. Got a 1/2 inch rachet and extension. Works great.
I also made a cushioned block and put the jack under the cross member of the frame (front or rear) to lift the car. Don't use the side jacking points because the car is pretty close to the ground with a flat. The cross member is still high enough to get the jack in there.
I also made a cushioned block and put the jack under the cross member of the frame (front or rear) to lift the car. Don't use the side jacking points because the car is pretty close to the ground with a flat. The cross member is still high enough to get the jack in there.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
The 17" space saver tire is very close to the rolling diameter of the 275/40x18
try this link for more info...
http://www.g8board.com/forums/showth...ht=space+saver
another view of the alloy G8 space saver...
Last edited by 99kiwi; Jan 29, 2009 at 08:08 PM. Reason: more info
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
I would think some lawyer would be all over a class action suit if this stuff was so bad, right?
I do agree with you guys about fixing the tire properly, but honestly, i'll admit i lack the testicular fortitude to jack up the vette (carefully) on the side of the freeway at 2am to plug a tire all by my self, but to those who can do it and have done it, i bow down. That takes some *****, i have a black car with blacked out lights and blacked out windows and the 5 freeway has lots of stretches with no street lights...i'm likely to get hit by someone fallin' asleep at the wheel while i take the hour or so it'll take to plug my tire!!!
I think I'm gonna upgrade my AAA to 100 mile towing just in case...
I do agree with you guys about fixing the tire properly, but honestly, i'll admit i lack the testicular fortitude to jack up the vette (carefully) on the side of the freeway at 2am to plug a tire all by my self, but to those who can do it and have done it, i bow down. That takes some *****, i have a black car with blacked out lights and blacked out windows and the 5 freeway has lots of stretches with no street lights...i'm likely to get hit by someone fallin' asleep at the wheel while i take the hour or so it'll take to plug my tire!!!
I think I'm gonna upgrade my AAA to 100 mile towing just in case...
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
More info on the G8 steel space saver from JHP.COM.AU, the centre hole must be turned out about 3-4 mm to fit over the hub spigot. This wheel will then fit without trouble. I have mine modified and it fits perfectly 
Last edited by 99kiwi; Jan 29, 2009 at 10:44 PM. Reason: correction
Racer
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 412
Likes: 1
From: Lampasas Texas
I am running this kit (#70004, $79.99) in my car at this time. It does work and it will wash out of the tire as soon as you get it to a tire shop. I think that it is a good product and it does not take up as much room as the small spare tire.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.
Last edited by Boulty1961; Jan 29, 2009 at 11:59 PM.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
This is an original Genuine Holden VZ HSV GTO/GTS coupe 17" space saver with Continental 105/55 tyre.
link to test http://autospeed.com/cms/A_1436/article.html
I think one of the Pontiac models used this same wheel as a spare.
link to test http://autospeed.com/cms/A_1436/article.html
I think one of the Pontiac models used this same wheel as a spare.
Last edited by 99kiwi; Jan 30, 2009 at 12:06 AM. Reason: more info
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,643
Likes: 167
You are kidding, right ? You get a flat tire along a highway and you are going to look for sticks to pull up on ? Have you even tried to pull up on a board, good luck getting any height out of a pile of sticks !Now, what are you going to dig a hole with, seeing how most of the shoulders are paved? Even if it was dirt, what would you use to dig? Remember you only have 3 inches of clearance. And then you would put a jack in the hole, on soft dirt. You wouldn't get me near that car, much less under it !
I measured the distance to the frame, with no puck included, it is only 5 inches with an inflated tire.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 50,093
Likes: 267
From: Oklahoma City
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17,'19,'22
I am running this kit (#70004, $79.99) in my car at this time. It does work and it will wash out of the tire as soon as you get it to a tire shop. I think that it is a good product and it does not take up as much room as the small spare tire.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 115
Likes: 0
From: Orange County California
I am running this kit (#70004, $79.99) in my car at this time. It does work and it will wash out of the tire as soon as you get it to a tire shop. I think that it is a good product and it does not take up as much room as the small spare tire.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.
http://www.slime.com/product/281/Pow...%2370004).html
Slime offers other kits also.
http://www.slime.com/category_4_Smart-Spairs.html
I spent the extra money to get the fastest air pump.