Archives

I've removed the spare and tools from my trunk (removed 35 lbs, or ~2% total weight), but I'm nervous that my first flat on the highway will erase any CO2 and cost savings I made from removing it. My plan is to keep a compact (12 oz) can of Fix-A-Flat and a tire plug kit in the car.

My thinking is that if I can find the leak I'll use the plug kit, and if I can't I'll try the Fix-A-Flat. I already have a hand bike pump, tire gauge, and mini LED flashlight in the car. I'm looking at getting this tire plug kit from Slime (http://www.amazon.com/Slime-Deluxe-Reamer-Plugger-Storage/dp/B000ET9SAK). It's weight/space saving, and I've had good luck before with Slime brand patches on my bike.

My question is, is this a good purchase? Any advice from someone who's actually used a plug kit before would be appreciated! I'm driving a '96 metro with no skirts.

Thanks a bunch!

That looks like a solid patch kit, Daisy. The weakness with cheaper kits is the plug insertion tool. The Slime kit looks sturdier than most, so it should do the job. A lot of garages don't patch tires anymore. They use plugs. So you're good to go. I wouldn't bother with the can of Fix-a-Flat. From what I've heard, the liquid in them keeps moving around the tire, and leaves it in an unbalanced condition.

A plug kit works great for nail holes, even if its a little annoying.

However, a plug kit Won't fix large holes, sidewall punctures, or cuts going across the tread.

Just last month, I ran over a jagged rock hidden in the snow. 1 tire cut across the treads, instant blowout, and NO hope of fixing it.

OTOH, if you understand that small holes are far more common than blowout-worthy cuts it may be worth the weight savings for you.

The fix-a-flat is a good idea for the hard to reach places (or keep soapy water handy). It won't Unbalance the tire, just follow the directions and let it set up properly before blasting down the highway.

Over two decades, I've done three plug patches with a similar plug kit. All were performed at home, not on the road, and all were successful. More flats have been fixed at shops, but all of them (over three+ decades and a half million miles) could have been fixed with this.

The spouse had one flat that could not have been fixed with this kit, but it was slow enough to provide several weeks of warning. Too bad it remained neglected, despite repeated pumping & nagging. :-(

The bicycle has suffered more serious flats, but that is related to cheaper and more fragile tires.

However, I'm not hardcore enough to remove the spare from my cars, in part because some relatively remote places traveled have a higher risk of unfixable and extremely inconvenient failures.

daisy,
I keep a plug kit in both cars and a small air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter, I use it at least once a year if not for my cars then for someone else who has the occasional screw or nail. I have been able to plug tires without losing more than a pound or two of air, so the compressor is more for backup and regular maintenance.

Walmart sells a good kit, in a yellow box but I couldn't find it on their website, it is about the same price or slightly cheaper. The T-handle design is a must because you often have to force the reamer through the tire carcass and the straight handle kind never allows for a good grip.

I've tried the fix-a-flat on the Magnum and it did the job but 5-6 months later I started to get wheel hop from that tire above 55mph, after checking the suspension and doing an alignment I replaced the tire and all was good. I don't think I will use the stuff again.

Post pics of your Metro in the Metro Forum if you can. - Dale

Add a pair of pliers to your kit to remove nail/screw, and you are all set.

It sounds like you're good to go (assuming that you carry a cell phone, a pump and a pair of pliers.)

If you aren't rather muscular the usual spare tire kit doesn't help much anyway because the provided lug wrench is too short to provide enough leverage.

I use walmarts plug kits-two t-handles, 5 plugs. I liked them better when they used glue because it lubed the plugs making them easier to insert. I carry a kit in both cars, and plug tires about 4-5 times a year. Most often I find a SCREW in the tire, not a nail?? I do find nails-usually roofing nails-but it is probably 3/1 screws?
There is still plenty of demolition going on around here, and folks are slobs( uncovered pickups spilling debris all over the roads)-hence all the flat tires.

That plug kit should work fine.
One kinda dangerous, but useful tip-sometimes it is sooo hard to drive the patch in that I have my son slowly move the car while I'm holding the awl T-handle in place. The moving vehicle literally drives the plug in.
Obviously, you have to emphasize to you driver to VERY, VERY SLOWLY ADVANCE THE CAR. Once the plug has started in, have your driver stop and back up a little. BE READY TO SNATCH YOUR ARM AWAY! If you don't trust your driver to follow instructions,and drive with their foot on the brake(doubt I'd do this with a MT since you can't cover the brake as easily but a very adept driver might be able to)

Careful,
Charlie

I keep a simular kit in each of my cars, but I'm not going to do away with the spare. Just one blowout having to call for service will cost 20 years worth of fuel savings from removing that amount of weight. I've been driving for 33 years and always keep good tires on my cars, but still have had a blow out at least once that I can remember and one or two unrepairable punctures.

Thank you so much for your replies and advice! I'll probably order that kit this upcoming week.

I hadn't thought of the pliers, but now it seems obvious. :) I'll stash a pair of needle-nose in my kit as well. I also always have a cell phone on me.

... I also always have a cell phone on me.

You didn't indicate where you live, but there is another reason I'm not removing the spare. Many of the areas I travel with the highest risk of unpluggable flats also have no cell phone service.

Unfortunately, comments to news stories on some high profile lost hiker and disabled car cases have revealed that many folks are unaware that huge amounts of territory, especially in the West away from the Interstate Highway system, still don't have cell service.

Daisy-
10 pm, 35 miles from home, and the the tow truck/service/tire company doesn't have the tire size you need. If they do, they may charge a lot for the "only tire they have in that size". The $50-$75 service call to come out to put on the spare, easily becomes $200 to have a new tire mounted on the side of the road. Again, IF they have the right size.

I encourage you to keep the spare in the car.

Keith

If you have family etc to bail you out in the event of a local blowout, you could ditch the spare for local driving, and add it when outside that comfort zone.