How Long Can You Drive on a Tire with Fix-a-Flat?

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If you get a flat tire, Fix-a-Flat is a convenient solution. However, you should not drive with it in the tire for too long or too far. 

So, how long can you drive on a tire with Fix-a-Flat? Fix-a-Flat allows you to drive up to 2 to 4 miles or 3.2 to 6.4 km on a flat tire. The Fix-a-Flat will damage and corrode the wheel if you drive it for a long time.

You should drive to an auto mechanic or tire repair shop as soon as possible after using Fix-a-Flat. Driving immediately after applying Fix-a-Flat will raise tire pressure and ensure that the sealant is uniformly spread throughout the tire.

A nail in the tire or a slow leak around a small section of the wheel’s rim works well with Fix-a-Flat. However, this is only a temporary remedy.

Detach the cap from your tire valve and then connect the Fix-a-Flat tube to the tire valve (as if you were putting air). Press the Fix-a-Flat canister’s button, and the sealant will flow into the tire. Next, the liquid substance hardens against the tire’s inner rubber. It’s supposed to stretch out and cover the hole from the inside.

Read on to know more about how long you can drive on a tire with Fix-a-Flat, including how to use it correctly.

Also, check out Fix-a-Flat on Amazon to know more about it, its reviews, and price.

Click here to see Fix-a-Flat on Amazon.

Fix-a-Flat Tire Repair: How Long Can You Drive on a Tire with Fix-a-Flat?

It is not recommended to drive on Fix-a-Flat for more than 2 to 4 miles. You risk harming a tire if you drive on it with Fix-a-Flat. If left in for too long, Fix-a-Flat hardens and corrodes the wheel rim.

Some people have driven for years on a tire that has Fix-a-Flat in it to seal a leak, but this is dangerous. You risk having the screw or nail that caused the hole in the first place cause the tire to leak again, flattening it a second time.

After using Fix-a-Flat, the best thing to do is drive your car to the nearest tire repair shop. You must drive the vehicle as soon as the Fix-a-Flat is set into the tire. The tire’s pressure will build up as a result, allowing the sealant to distribute evenly throughout the tire.

When the sealant is within the tire, it hardens against the tire’s interior wall. The opening where the air is escaping is then sealed. Because the goo can squirt through and set itself inside the tire, it works well with nail holes.

Always keep in mind that Fix-a-Flat is simply a short-term solution. It can cause the tire to become imbalanced, causing a vibration problem while driving. If you use this temporary patch, you run the danger of corrosion on the wheel’s rim.

So again, how long can you drive on a tire with Fix-a-Flat? Only drive for no more than 4 miles (preferably less) on a tire with Fix-a-Flat.

how long can you drive on a tire with fix a flat

Fix-a-Flat: What Is It?

Fix-a-Flat is a tire repair spray that seals tire holes and prevents air leaks quickly. This product works as a tire sealant by inflating the tire with a liquid propellant while the latex emulsion foams. It then solidifies along the tire’s internal wall, plugging the leak.

Simply press a button on the can to inflate your tire. And in no time, you’ll be able to get back on the road. Without the need for tire tools or a jack, this sealant can seal holes up to 1/4 inch in diameter. A liquid sealant and a little amount of air are contained in a Fix-a-Flat container.

Fix-a-Flat Repair: How Long Does Fix-a-Flat Last for a Slow Leak?

Fix-a-Flat isn’t supposed to stay inside a tire for very long. It may be enough to get you to the nearest tire shop for a tire repair or replacement.

Locate the source of the leak if you suspect your tire is leaking. Fix-a-Flat can be used if the hole or puncture is less than 1/4 inch in diameter. Larger holes should be repaired differently. Remove the tire valve cap once you’ve found the puncture.

Get the Fix-a-Flat kit and shake the can. Connect the can’s nozzle to the tire valve. Then, on the can, press the button. The tire sealant will be forced or pushed into the tire by the air in the can. Once inside the tire, the sealant will seek out and seal any punctures.

Your tire will continue to fill with air, and the rim of your tire will lift off the ground. The foam can be used to cover the whole interior of the tire. The propellant will evaporate once it is released from the can. It has the ability to expand and fill the entire interior space of the tire.

The propellant is made up of various substances. However, polymer latex is the major component. It’s a milky substance similar to the latex found in regular paints. When pushed out of the can, it foams up and fills the tire, closing any holes that may exist inside.

It’s still a temporary fix, no matter how great it sounds. After this temporary patch, you should have your tire permanently repaired or replaced.

So, how long does Fix-a-Flat last? Fix-a-Flat can last up to three days or 100 miles, depending on which comes first. It has the potential to keep your tire sealed for many years. According to experts, it can last 7-10 years, outlasting the tire — unless, of course, the tire goes flat again.

You can drive the car to the nearest car tire shop to have the tire fixed or replaced once Fix-a-Flat activates the sealant and inflates the tire.

Check out Fix-a-Flat on Amazon to learn more about it, read reviews, and get its price.

Click here to see Fix-a-Flat on Amazon.

Factors That Affect How Long You Can Drive on a Fix-a-Flat Tire

The amount of time a tire with Fix-a-Flat can run depends on a number of different factors. Here are a few of the factors to consider:

1. Hole Size

According to the manufacturer, the largest hole that Fix-a-Flat can patch is 1/4 inch. You can, of course, attempt to seal a tire hole larger than 1/4 inch. You might succeed for a brief while, but the tire will eventually run flat again. Therefore, follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using this tire sealant.

2. The Amount of Tire Sealant Used

To make sure that the sealant is as effective as possible, fill the inside of the tire with foam. You won’t be able to travel very far if there isn’t enough foam to seal the holes. The tire will most likely continue to run, but it will be uneven, making the vehicle dangerous to drive.

3. Risky Road Surface

Driving a tire with Fix-a-Flat on the road with sharp objects and debris will shorten the tire’s already limited life.

4. Semi-frozen Sealant

The effectiveness of a semi-frozen tire sealant is reduced when used. This issue is more prevalent in the winter and during cold weather. Because the sealant can freeze, it is not recommended for use in cold weather. Even if you defrost the sealant before putting it inside the tire, it will re-freeze. The wheel will also become unbalanced as a result of this.

how long does fix a flat last in your tire

We have answered the question: “How long can you drive on a tire with Fix-a-Flat?” Is it, however, a permanent solution? Could it damage your tire?

Is It Possible for Fix-a-Flat to Cause Damage to Your Tire?

If you use Fix-a-Flat to fix a leaking tire, the tire will be damaged if it stays inside. Always keep in mind that this is only a short-term fix. Its sole purpose is to give you a quick and easy way out of the situation. You must still visit the nearest car tire servicing center. Remove the tire, clean it, and have it repaired permanently.

Allowing the sealant to remain inside the tire for an extended period of time will allow it to stick to the inside walls of the tire. It will also be more difficult to remove from the rubber. You won’t be able to rebalance the tire since it will be knocked out of balance. Because of the overstaying hardened sealant, the rubber will progressively degrade.

Because the sealant is corrosive, it will eat away at the wheel’s rim over time. Using a wheel with a faulty rim is dangerous. The air inside the tire will escape through the rusted sections of the rim.

The lesson is that once the tire sealant has served its purpose, it should be removed as soon as possible.

Be Cautious When Using Fix-a-Flat

Fix-a-Flat is the best option if you just plan on going to the tire shop to have the tire repaired. If you must use it, do it with caution and only in an emergency. The sealant has chemicals in it that aren’t good for your wheels and tires.

Some of the reasons why you should be cautious when applying this tire sealant are listed below.

1. The Tire Pressure Monitoring System Can Be Destroyed

Most recent cars are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system or TPMS. This sealant has the potential to damage this system, which would be very costly to repair. It usually needs to be replaced in most cases. So, if you have the financial means to repair your tire, do so.

Through a small hole, the TPMS detects the pressure within the tire. When you put the sealant into the tire, it will completely fix this little hole. It’s possible that if you deliver it to a good and diligent mechanic, he’ll be able to clean it out.

2. Metal Parts of the Wheel Can Corrode

R134A is the propellant used in Fix-a-Flat cans. This is the same material used in car air conditioners. It’s a chemical substance that’s water-based. When combined with water, however, it becomes corrosive. Rubber, aluminum, and paint are all susceptible to this mixture.

Because of its slight corrosive nature, the sealant might stick to the rubber walls of the tire. However, when the sealant comes into contact with the rubber, it tends to slightly weaken the tire’s integrity.

Nevertheless, if it remains in contact with the rubber for an extended period of time, the tire and rim’s integrity will be affected. If you try to run it fast on the road, the tire will be knocked out of balance and vibrate.

Use a small spare tire instead of the Fix-a-Flat if you have a flat tire. Even at a slow speed, the spare tire will bring you to the nearest tire repair shop. It will not endanger your safety, and you will not have to clean the interior of the tire afterward.

how long does fix a flat last in a tire

3. Tire Wear Will Be Uneven

Fix-a-Flat cannot guarantee that the sealant is evenly distributed throughout the tire. While centrifugal force is used to disperse the sealant, there will still be spots inside the tire where the substance is concentrated more heavily.

The weight inside the tire will be unequal when the foam hardens. As a result, the wheel will be knocked out of balance, resulting in uneven tire wear. Unbalanced tires with uneven treads are not safe to drive on, especially in the rain or snow.

4. The Tire Rim Would Be at Risk

When you use Fix-a-Flat, the can spews out liquid that quickly transforms into a stiff, hard, dry foam. The liquid also has a habit of splattering all over the rim. You must clean it as soon as possible before it hardens. To put it another way, it’s a time-consuming process.

Because cleaning a tire is such a laborious job, some tire businesses don’t even offer it. Corrosion will occur if you do not remove it. Corrosion is also harmful to the rim. The car owner is typically required to remove the damaged tire, clean the rim, and install a new tire.

I’m not suggesting that using Fix-a-Flat to repair a flat tire is pointless. It is unquestionably useful, but only in an emergency. And when using it, you must take extra precautions.

Conclusion – How Long Will Fix-a-Flat Last in a Tire?

To recap, how long can you drive on a tire that has been repaired with Fix-a-Flat? Fix-a-Flat in a tire allows you to travel for 2 to 4 miles. To increase the pressure inside the tire, you must drive your car immediately after fixing it. When you drive right after applying Fix-a-Flat, the sealant is evenly distributed inside the tire wall.

It’s important to drive your car to the nearest tire repair shop as soon as possible so that your leaky tire can be thoroughly repaired. If you drive your car for any longer than this, your tire may sustain irreversible damage.

If you have the option to choose between a spare tire and tire sealant, go with the spare. Then have the tire permanently fixed. However, if you’re in a hurry, a tire sealant can help you get to the tire repair shop.