Has anyone had a flat and used the fix a flat that comes with your car? Just wondering how well it works after reading a similar post on CC.
Flat Tire
- Thread starter Roger Vincent
- Start date
Roger
A flat in some instances can be plugged by a competetnt tire guy. The kit that comes with the car calls for you to use the can of gunk to seal a hole and then inflate through the supplied compressor and drive to a tire place.
I would recommened using the compressor only to reinflate the tire and drive slowly top a tire guy to have the tire plugged.
I would not use the can of gunk unless it was extreme circumstances.
Dave
Aren't we suppose to outright replace a punctured run flat as opposed to "plug" it for some safety reason or another ...and, the patch kit is really just intended to getcha to a tire dealer so you can do that?
'Seems to me I read in some "official" publication somewhere that "permanent" flat repair was a "no-no" on run flats, but I'm not sure. :shrug
(I know our BMW dealer specifically said to replace, not fix, the Potenzas on our car.)
I agree, EP, 100% that a plugged or patched tire even when administered by a well qualified mechanic is only temporary until the tire is replaced;the patched up tire cannot be safely relied upon as a super car tire.
Consider it a donut.
I don't think these tires are run flats.
Consider it a donut.
I don't think these tires are run flats.
That's what I'd figured too, since the car CAME with the "kit".
But, I've also been told they're run flats!
Shoot! I'll call the darned Goodyear dealer & find out!:biggrin
But, in any event, I don't think I'd want to bother to "plug" a 200mph tire. It'd pbly be fine for putt-putt driving. But, I don't think I'd feel comfortable with a patched one even on the highway.
But, that's just me.
Thanks guys; so none of you have actually used the compressor yet? I understand it can be used indepently of the gunk. By the way if you need to replace it or keep it current, you can buy the exact product at:
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/conticomfortkit/index.jsp
I just wondered if it was worth a crap, or should I just call the emergency service in case of a flat. (BTW, I have had one flat in thirty years, knock on wood.)
http://www.tirerack.com/accessories/conticomfortkit/index.jsp
I just wondered if it was worth a crap, or should I just call the emergency service in case of a flat. (BTW, I have had one flat in thirty years, knock on wood.)
Roger
Yes I have used it. Yes as previously posted it can be used independently.I use it at track evenst to adjust pressures regularly.
Dave
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I'd try the kit 1st just to save WAIT time if for no other reason. If you find it doesn't work, THEN call the "aid car"! :lol
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
I picked up a large nail on one of the So.Cal GT rallys last year. We were about 75miles from home and didn't want to drop out of the rally or chance damaging the rim by just adding air regulary. So I stopped at a gas station and for 6 bucks purchased a "tire plug kit". While others gassed up I had the nail out and a plug pushed in, less than 10 minutes. Didn't do any high speed driving, it work flawlessly and replaced the tire when I got home. I no longer even keep the Ford supplied kit in the car, however did put together a higher quality plug kit.
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analogdesigner
GT Owner
I hate being stranded
I bought a high quality plug kit also. I also bought a couple of cans of heavy duty "trucker-grade" flat fix. I am looking into a small, lightweight jack in case the car must be jacked up on the road. I hate being stranded. Jay
Steve,
I bought a high quality plug kit also. I also bought a couple of cans of heavy duty "trucker-grade" flat fix. I am looking into a small, lightweight jack in case the car must be jacked up on the road. I hate being stranded. Jay
BlackICE
GT Owner
Plugging is better than the goo stuff Ford supplies, but finding and accessing the flat spot could be difficult unless you can jack up the car to rotate, or remove the tire you may be out of luck.
Steve did you plug the tire on the car?
Steve did you plug the tire on the car?
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
Yes it was on the car and I rolled the tire until it was fairly easy access. The secret is to have a set of good dikes to drab the nail for removal and a quality plug kit. Some of the tools for cleaning the hole in a cheep kit arn't worth a damn. Also VERY important, after opening a fresh tube of glue (used to help the plug slide easier into the hole) I have found the glue will dry up no matter how well you reseal it. Keep an extra unused tube always with the extra plugs and tools.
BlackICE
GT Owner
Steve, is your car at the stock height, or is it lowered? With a lowered car, it got to be very hard to clean out the hole, especially if it was towards the inside of the tire. Also you were smart to get a new tire, if you do any driving at above legal speed limits (off road of course, none of us break the law), I just don't trust plugs or glued patches under heat, and stress. The glues used are just rubber cement that you can get at a art supply store. They hold very well at room temperatures. Heat up a patch and you can peel it off! This has be reported many times in bicycle new groups and I have 1st hand experience while descending a mountain my brakes overheated the tire and a patch came unglued. I was lucky I didn't crash! The rim was so hot it would burn my hands.
tpraceman
THEE GT OWNER
The plugs work real good here in Michigan. If you have enough of them they help with traction in the snow and much less noisy than chains. Cornering around the chuck holes has to be kept under 120 until.:lol
SteveA
GT Owner/B.O.D
The car is 1 3/8" in the front and 3/4" in the rear. The nail was on the drivers side rear about 2/3rds of the way in on the tire (of course:bored ). By far the hardest part was cleaning out the hole.
Many years back I had plugged a rear tire on a 72' XKE. Heading south on I-5 out of San Francisco (back when there wasn't much traffic on it) I forgot about the plug. Well, as boys will do ...I just rolled into the throttle a bit when no one was looking and at 125 the tire just exploded! HELLO!!:eek
Plugs are to get you home.
It's pretty obvious the factory "kit" and plugs are both just designed to get you home or to a tire dealer, so, having honed "lazy" to a razor's edge over the years, my vote goes to the "kit" to fix a flat. 'Pbly wouldn't even get dirty usin' it either!:lol