ARRRRGGGGHHH! How about concrete tires and rubber roads?

[Michael N. Marcus]

Three weeks ago I returned from a plane trip to Florida, and found my right rear tire was flat in the airport garage (PT Cruiser -- I'd never leave Spiderman at an airport).

I took out a can of Fix-a-flat, filled the tire, and drove to the nearest gas station to add air. I was able to drive home without losing pressure, and the next morning I went to the friendly folks at Firestone to get the flat fixed.

A few hours later the manager called me and said that the Fix-a-flat chemical messes up the rubber and a patch won't bond, so I had to replace a tire with just 4K miles on it.

On Monday of this week, I started driving to work, and the car sounded funny. I stopped, looked around, and saw that the new tire was flat. I drove two blocks back to my house, and rather than take a chance with the dreaded Fix-a-flat, I filled the tire from my compressor, and drove my wife's van to work.

The next morning, the formerly-flat tire still looked OK (except for the screw in the tread), and I drove back to Firestone for another flat fix. I was thrilled when the manager said they'd give me a break and fix it for free, since I was a good customer and only had the tire a few weeks.

A few hours later, the manager called. Of course, there was no problem from Fix-a-flat pollution this time; but I would still have to pay $116 for ANOTHER new tire because I had damaged the sidewalls when I drove a few blocks.

I am perfectly capable of changing a tire, but it's a PITA to do it in a dark airport garage or on a rainy day.

Just how far is it safe to drive on a flat? 200 feet? 20 feet? Or is the damage done by the time you realize that the tire is flat?

Were they BS-ing me about sidewall damage?

[Jim DeShon]

Unfortunatly, the sidewall story could be true. Running a tire flat for much distance at all can ruin them. I know some people don't like them but I use plugs. I carry a plug kit in my work car and, when I'm traveling on my motorcycle I carry one. With that and a small portable compressor you can fix it yourself. I have never had a plug "pop out" as I have heard some people say. If it leaks, you didn't get it in right and...you had a leak already so, no harm done. Most of these tire stores are programmed to do one thing ...sell you more tires ! ...J.D.

[spider2081]

It is my impression, if you are driving and get a flat, chances are the tire is already runied. You might as well drive on it to a safe place to change it because the damage is usually done before you realize you have the flat. Course if you had a blow-out for sure the tire is ruined. If the tire goes flat when parked and you change it without driving on it sometimes they can be fixed. It is my understanding in CT tire shops will not attempt any patching of a sidewall.

[spidernut]

I buy my tires at places like Les Schwab and Sears where they have free flat repair and free road hazard warranty. I also got AAA so I'd not have to worry about changing a tire in bad weather...sure call me lazy but I can afford it (sometimes).

I'd not recommend driving at all on a flat tire. The sidewall can be ruined rather quickly depending upon the road surface.

I've never heard that Fix-a-Flat excuse before. To put on a patch, they take a grinder to the rubber inside the tire to clean and rough it up. You'd be hard-pressed to convince me that Fix-a-Flat absorbs that deep into the rubber!

[Jim DeShon]

I try to be take more than the usual precautions here. You can get into a whole lot of nowhere, not too far from here. Some of those places you are on your own. If you are in the city all the time, you might get by with AAA or the like, but that kind of service is spotty here. ...J.D.

[spidernut]

I know the feeling with AAA. The one and only time my Spider broke down (due to a bad magentic pickup wire), I called my AAA. They couldn't find the road I was on since I was in a very rural area. It took about an hour for them to arrive. They're great when I've been in town and needed them.