But sealants leave goo inside the tire, and it's a real hassle for tire shop employees to get all of it off the wheel when they do a tire repair - especially if it's dried on. These products inject a sealant into your flat tire to seal the leak, and a gas to fill the rest of the tire. Reasons to NOT Repair a Flat Tire With Tire Sealant If you just don't have the time to throw on a spare, reach for that can of sealant to be on your way faster. So in some cases, you might be better off opting for that can of Fix-a-Flat, rather than trying to rush through swapping a flat for a spare. You can either camp in your car until it's light out and the tow arrives, or you can opt to use your can of sealant.Ĭhanging a tire can sometimes take more time than patching a hole with sealant. You try to call a tow truck, and it's going to be literal hours before someone can get to you. You don't have a spare available and are stuck on the side of the road in utter darkness. Picture this: You're making a late-night trip and suddenly spring a flat tire. SEE ALSO: 24 Items Worth Buying on the Northern Tool Website In fact, Wirecutter recommends keeping a can of Fix-a-Flat in your roadside emergency kit precisely for this reason. It's an especially good solution if you only have a small puncture and need to just patch it long enough to get to a mechanic for a tire replacement.įlat tires can happen at any time, but if you experience one in an area where you can't safely change the tire, sealant may provide a good alternative. If you are on the road and suddenly have a flat, that's when a can of sealant can be helpful. If you step out your front door one morning and discover a flat tire because of a slow leak, that's not as pressing as developing a flat tire on the road. One of the most obvious times to use a tire sealant is during an emergency. When You Should Use a Tire Sealant Like Fix-a-Flat

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