Is Fix-a-Flat Safe To Use?
Tuesday January 26, 2010
The stories of bodily injury and death by explosion pop up almost instantly when you mention Fix-a-Flat in the company of a seasoned auto mechanic or tire tech. I say seasoned because it's usually older guys that tell the stories. I'm here to tell you with 100% conviction that Fix-a-Flat will NOT explode! If you're using another product, be sure to check it out, but the Fix-a-Flat brand is non-explosive and can be used without risk of injury to the person who is removing the tire. Messy? Oh yeah. But not deadly. I could go on and on about this, and since I can write whatever I want, I did go on and on about it here! Read up on the history of the explosion myth and why there's nothing to worry about.
I know quite a bit about flammable propellants in aerosol tire sealants, having testified as an expert witness in court trials. You are correct about the timeline for elimination of dangerous propellants. As a tire service professional, i cannot endorse the use of any of these aerosol sealants except in an extreme emergency. These products play hell with future tire repairs, they can ruin very expensive TPMS valve stem sensors, and many users feel that it is a permanent repair– NOT! In addition, metal rim components can be damaged. Whenever used, the tire should be taken to a tire professional ASAP and tell them.. that sealant has been injected. Leaving the material in the tire can also ruin the tire when the liquid component tries to seep back through the tire body and compromises the materials in the tire . This stuff is a crutch, not a true fix. It can also void the warranty of some tire manufacturers