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!

 

Here's a test

deflate your tire and fill it with the fix-a-flat stuff, if your sensor still works then everything is good, if the sensor dies let us know how easy it was for you to get reimbursed.

 

So would you NOT use fix-a-flat if you're sitting on the side of the road, for the fear of damaging an easily replaceable part?

 

Seriously, c'mon man, my point was simply to share what I heard back and save others the trouble of emailing too!!

I'll be sure to post my results if/when i ever get a flat though, just for you

 

"Easily replaceable part" You're kidding right?

1. Find a repair shop that won't tear up your rims, and,
2. Mount the tire with a good high speed wheel balance, and,
3. don't forget that the tire pressure sensor, depending on the model year will cost you somewhere between $70 - $170.

Forget the the Fix-A-Flat stuff.

Just get a small 12VDC air compressor from Walmart, a used compact scissor jack and some tire plugs (all for about $75). Jack it up, stick in a plug the hole, and fill with air. Then drive to the nearest good repair shop.

If Fix-A-Flat was OK then GM would put a couple cans in the Z06 trunk instead of an emergency road repair kit!

 

I didn't mean my responce to come across as a smart ***, all I meant is they will tell you one thing but when it's time to pony up a check for the replacement of the sensor that you'll be banging your head against the wall as you jump through their hoops and wait on hold with them on the phone.

 

Exactly what I was going to suggest.

I don't think fixaflat will damage your sensors. They're sealed assemblies after all. But that crap NEVER works anyway. At best, it's good for inflating a tire and limping along until you can find a shop.

A pump, jack, and plug kit will get you back on the road 99% of the time.

 

I wouldn't use it! I'd use my cell phone to call for help or I'd use a plug kit.

 

Tire pressure sensors or not, I would never use fix a flat goop in one of my tires. Just use a standard plug kit to get you home, then have it repaired correctly. If the hole is too big for a plug, then the goop probably will not work either.

 

My 2 cents: DO NOT USE FIX A FLAT EVER! I ran a tire store for many years, that stuff is nasty.

 

If you fix it yourself (regardless of method) and then go to the good repair shop - you are still needing a shop that won't tear up your rims and mount with good high speed balance - the only thing you save is the cost of the sensor (if it goes bad). That pretty much takes your 1st and 2nd points out of the decision making process. No good shop will fix a tire with a plug - it needs an internal patch to be safe.

 

There are very few jacks that can fit under a C5 WITH A FLAT TIRE.

 

[QUOTE= .....

If Fix-A-Flat was OK then GM would put a couple cans in the Z06 trunk instead of an emergency road repair kit![/QUOTE]

Just between forum friends GM does put a can of fix-a-flat in each Z06
along with a compressor.

 

I used to work at a tire shop when I was younger and people would come in with that crap in the tires. All I can say is that after that stuff has been in the tire a while you can't patch it. The patch won't stick because it makes the rubber on the inside like slime. It's like it eats the rubber and makes it really soft. The tire is junk most of the time.

 

I use a Porsche 928 jack, light alloy, fits. Just buy a 928, remove the jack, throw the rest away, you're set The cavity in the head can be indexed in the hole for the jacking puck with a suitable insert. Once you have the car jacked, fit a space saver spare from a Pontiac G8 GTO (Holden Monaro).

 

these look even better

 

Never worked in one but know fellow car guys that have. I've heard some nasty stuff about Fix a flat.

Better off getting the ZO6 inflator kit. I've used it once after a day of house shopping with my wife. The kit worked and allowed us to get home.

I'm not sure if it's sensor safe...

 

Thank you for the information -
I always apreciate someone sharing stuff like this - I have wondered the same thing - but never bothered to ask!
However, that remark did make me laugh

 

My jack collapses to 3". I'm pretty sure that even if I was on the rim, I'd still have 4-5" clearance. If not, I can always hook up the compressor and air up the tire to give me more room and that'll work as long as it's not a catatrophic tire failure.

 

Finally! A good use for a Porsche 928!