Costco: "Fix-a-Flat" makes tires un-balanceable *and* un-repairable. Must buy a new tire?? (vehicles, auto)
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Just got back from Costco. I'd bought my car's tires there a few years back, brought it in today for the free spin-balance and rotation that was part of the contract. Mentioned that one of the tires had had a slow leak a few months ago, losing a few pounds per week. I'd "fixed" it with a can of "Fix-a-Flat" from the local auto parts store. That's a can of pressurized gas and rubber-cement-type liquid you squirt into the tire, The cement seals the puncture, and the gas re-inflates the tire.
Big mistake.
The Costco guy said that if I'd used Fix-a-flat on it, the tire could not be repaired, and couldn't even be balanced since the fluid in the Fix-a-Flat would flow around inside the tire and unbalance it. My only alternatives now, were to do nothing and let the tire keep wobbling around on the road, wearing out the shocks and suspension parts, or buy a new tire.
Good news was, the leak was covered under the road-hazard warranty. they pro-rated the tread thickness, and said I'd have to pay 50% of the usual price since I'd used half the life of the tire.
Costco wasn't too bad about it. But if I'd had any idea they would act that way over a tire with Fix-a-Flat, I never ever would have used it. Obviously! The original leak was very slow, I would have kept driving on it for a week or two until I had a chance to go in for a (free!) puncture repair with free new valve stem etc.
Part of me wants to go back to the auto parts store where I got the Fix-a-Flat, and ask them if they knew that Costco (and how many other tire sellers?) considered that the stuff ruined tires and required them to be replaced as the only remedy; where they would simply repair the puncture (many dealers for free) if it hadn't been used. I've been going to that auto parts store for twenty years, they know me.
The other part of me wants to get three more cans of FaF, put it in the other three tires, and head back to Costco for three brand-new tires at half price. Apparently they won't even bother trying to find the punctures if that stuff is in there.
But probably not.
Ladies and gents, DON'T use Fix-a-Flat or Slime etc. in your tires. Or if you still want to (I don't!), first call the place you got the tires from and ask them what the consequences are.
I had no idea. Now I do. Let a word to the wise be sufficient.
Yeah, that's an emergency get you home from the boonies with no cell reception kind of fix. Better off just carrying a patch kit really. It's possible to clean them out but the labor involved makes replacement make more sense in many cases.
Funny thing is, if you do not mention using fix a flat, they balance the tires, it works fine. I always felt the refusal to balance was just a ploy to sell you new tires.
However if they are going to remove the tire from the rim, you need to let them know if you remember using fix a flat in that tire.
How long does Fix-a-Flat work? Do I need to get a patch/plug repair for my tire, or can I leave Fix-a-Flat in there permanently?
As stated on the can, it is important to have your tire inspected and repaired within 3 days or 100 miles (whichever comes first). Be sure to notify the qualified tire care professional that Fix-a-Flat has been installed. At the time the affected tire is inspected by a tire care professional, they should clean the sealant from the tire, prepare the area and repair with a U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association (USTMA) approved patch/plug.
Can my tire be repaired after using Fix-a-Flat?
Yes, there is nothing in the formulation that would prevent a tire from being repaired. Advise the tire repair professional that you have used the Fix-a-Flat brand tire inflator in your tire, so they may properly clean the tire for repair. Fix-a-Flat cleans up easily with soapy water and a shop rag. Warranties vary by tire manufacturer. Contact your tire manufacturer for specific details.
Labor to clean a tire cannot be as much as the cost to replace a modern tire... especially if you have to replace 2 or 4 at the same time because of rolling circumference.
Funny thing is, if you do not mention using fix a flat, they balance the tires, it works fine. I always felt the refusal to balance was just a ploy to sell you new tires.
However if they are going to remove the tire from the rim, you need to let them know if you remember using fix a flat in that tire.
You can try and balance a tire with slime inside of it, but that slime moves around. Meaning your tire will never be in balance until the slime is removed.
"Fix a Flat" ranks right up there with radiator leak sealants. Never thought to put gunk in the tire, or the radiator for that matter, is ever a good idea.
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Let a word to the wise be sufficient.
