Fix-a-flat or Slime

[Shmoov69]

So, my wife's Escalade has a slow leak around the rim. Like every few days I have to add air. It has chrome plated aluminum wheels and the chrome is pretty crappy (on it when I bought it) and it is flaking off randomly and I believe that the bead won't fully seal because of it.
Will either fixAflat or slime work for something like this or will it eat the wheel?
Thanks

[randy]

So, my wife's Escalade has a slow leak around the rim. Like every few days I have to add air. It has chrome plated aluminum wheels and the chrome is pretty crappy (on it when I bought it) and it is flaking off randomly and I believe that the bead won't fully seal because of it.
Will either fixAflat or slime work for something like this or will it eat the wheel?
Thanks

it will eat the wheel. Go take the tire off, can a cleaning wheel and clean the bead. Alot of wheel repair shops can cut you a new bead easily without ruining the wheel.

fix it right the first time or not at all.

I work in the tire business and our cost is $75 to cut the bead

[WSSix]

Randy, since you're in the business, can you give a recommendation for any of the fix a flat type products for those of us that intend to drive our cars long distances but won't be able to carry a spare? Thanks.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Jimmy . I do agree with Randy though. If it's really that simple to fix, I'd just do it right instead of taking the chance with the chemicals.

[randy]

Randy, since you're in the business, can you give a recommendation for any of the fix a flat type products for those of us that intend to drive our cars long distances but won't be able to carry a spare? Thanks.

Sorry to hijack your thread, Jimmy . I do agree with Randy though. If it's really that simple to fix, I'd just do it right instead of taking the chance with the chemicals.

no fix a flat works great but its only intended for getting you from point A to point B. After that you need to wash it out, fix the tire, and balance it. Ive had customers bring their car in and complain about vibration issues. Well here they put fix a flat in their car earlier in the month and left it in there. Not good. Chrome really starts peeling from the acids too.

We use bead sealer on the rims too. eventually the rim ends up leaking from somewhere else because the weak chrome. If you send the wheel off you will most likely get it back the next day. You dont have to worry about future leaking because they will peel the chrome off the rim where the tire bead meets the rim. Problem solved

flammable, balancing issues, and corrosive

http://accuratecars.com/blog/2008/08/22/tire-pressure-monitoring-systems-tpms-and-the-use-of-fix-a-flat/

[randy]

carry a small pump and this
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Slime-TPMS-Safe-Tire-Sealant/16782754


get to somewhere safe and fix right

[WSSix]

Thanks Randy. I won't have room for a proper spare int he trunk so I'll have to come up with something in case an issue arises. Last thing I'd want to do is put something in my tire that causes damage even if used temporarily.

[Shmoov69]

Thanks guys. I appreciate the info. I guessed that but didn't want to have to get it broke down and come back home to grind the bead and then go back to have it remounted. I had hoped the quick and easy would work.... But figured it wouldn't, just wanted to hear differently!! LOL!

And no hijack at all, I got the same q's!

[Ketzer]

Wife has a Volt. It has no spare. Has a small 12v compressor with a built in cartridge of fix a flat from the factory. On our way back from GG Nashville, we ran over something and had a minor blowout. The repair kit was useless. The hole was big enough that the tire would not hold any air.

We were on I-40 but in the middle of nowhere. Our roadside assistance through our car insurance would only take us 20 miles (we were 25-30 from the nearest town), She has OnStar and they said same "We can help you but you are in an inconvenient location and it is Saturday night". My wife's cell would barely work, mine no reception at all. We were able, on our own, to get a tow to a WalMart and buy a tire (a whole story unto itself).
Lessons learned,
1. Get triple A. Done.
2. Get a spare for out of town trips. Done.


On a side note, my wife's last car had run-flats and she was able to have several flats. One flat occurred turning a corner at low speed, the tire unseated and literally "went flat". She had to be towed back to the dealer.
Even runflats can go flat, she proved it.


Jeff-

[WSSix]

You know, Jeff, that's not a bad idea. Just carry the spare for road trips. For my build, I won't have a back seat so I can put bags there instead of in the trunk.