I got a plug placed on a tire and now its losing like 5-8 psi every 3 days of driving, should I try to use a can of fix a flat until the replacement shaved tire gets here? Id like this to be my fullsize spare.

(Btw for anyone that's looking tire rack will shave to match tread on any tire for 25 bucks, you have to call though, they don't do it online)

 

America's Tires will price match Tire Rack. They actually went below the matched price on my last set of tires. You just need to talk to them. Regarding Fix a Flat I hear that stuff isn't good to use, especially if you want to keep it as a full spare.

 

The Americas Tire in MV by INO the manager pretty much flipped out on me when i asked why cant they price match Tire Rack.

 

Tire rack shaves, americas tire doesn't.....

 

My friend has been working at America's tire for about 10 years now and he says the worst thing you can do for your tire is put fix-a-flat in it. He says to avoid it by all costs.


Also, ATC doesn't shave tires like mentioned above.



Also, Also, they do sometimes get all weird when you ask about price matching... Some of the guys that work there are aholes and they don't understand that the general public doesn't have the full understanding of how tire sales work, meaning store VS warehouse. I've seen them do this kind of crap to people before

 

yeah, fix a flat is a big no-no for a permanent fix. it will throw off the balance of your wheel like no other. it's fine in an emergency to get you to a safe place at relatively low speeds, but get get it up in speed and the care will begin to shake n shimmy.

 

if fixing a tire is the only choice you have in your budget for now i would highly recommend a patch instead of the plug, from my previous experience it seals alot better IMO.

 

Americas Tire patched my flat for free!

 

If you want to keep the tire as a full-size spare, it is worth getting it repaired properly. America's Tire will patch tires for free IIRC.

If you continue to drive on the plug, be careful. In my experience, they can hold up for a few days, then can suddenly leak faster. Check the pressure every trip.

 

I said I want to make it my spare, it's got like 70% tread...

I was worried about fix a flat throwing off the balance, its already plugged and I know you can't re-plug it.

I had America's tire plug it, so I don't know if they can do anymore with the tire still mounted, I can call them tomorrow. I should have the replacement tire here on Monday or so.

 

Patching a tire costs $30... it's a fine way to do a repair.

FYI Custom Alignment in Mountain View does tire truing locally

 

can it be done after a plug?

 

Yeah - they'll just remove the plug, do a patch and true the tire.
http://www.customalignment.com/

 

Yes.

The basic way you do a patch is pop the tire off. Locate the hole. I used to put a punch or screw driver through it. Circle it. Then rough it up with a grinder. Then roll the patch on. So basically they'd just grind the plug out in the process.

Hands down the best way to go if you plan on running the tires for a while.

One warning though... if it's within about an inch of the sidewall no one is gonna patch it.

You guys have a tire machine at your work don't you? I could brief you on how to do it and you can do it yourself. It's easy.




As for fix a flat. It's really only meant to be used for a really short amount of time. Basically to get you off the freeway and to a shop. Plus tire shops HATE when they pull a tire off and that **** gets everywhere.

Saying that... I'm currently running on two tires with nails on them with fix a flat. But my tires are TOAST and the fix a flat DEFINITELY put them outta balance. So avoid it if at all possible.

 

There's one at work, but I don't really have access to it.

It's like exactly or a little less than 1 inch from the sidewall... ugh..