Fix-a-Flat and Tire Pressure Monitoring System: What you need to know

If you’ve witnessed how technology and the internet have slowly changed our lives, then you must be one of the many thankful people who enjoy the innovations that made life more convenient for us.

Whether in communications, in culinary, or in automotive, these innovations are pretty hard not to miss. Looking back to how vehicles were made before, today’s automotive successes are definitely proof that technology is moving us forward.

But could there be a chance that these two are actually bad for each other? If so, what makes them this way?

You can even see the advancements not only in the vehicles but also in the tools and accessories like fix-a-flat tires and TPMS. But could there be a chance that these two are actually bad for each other? If so, what makes them this way?

The connection between TPMS sensors and other automotive supplies like Fix-a-Flat is complex. Experienced car owners say that Fix-a-flat products and Tire Pressure Monitoring System sensors don’t really work well together. But the opinions of experts have been shifty over the years.

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The connection between TPMS sensors and other automotive supplies like Fix-a-Flat is complex

Note:

Know that we will be talking about TPMS sensors already located snuggly inside the tires. This is because this is mostly the case that applies to a lot of OE (original equipment) TPMS sensors.

These types of sensors are designed to be assembled into the tire’s valve stem. The valve system is the delicate sensor part that’s located in the tire. If your car has TPMS sensors built into the tire’s cap, kits like Fix-a-Flat have no way of damaging your tire sensors.

Is Fix-a-Flat Capable of Damaging Tire Pressure Monitoring System Sensors?

The answer is no. Fix-a-Flat won’t be able to damage your tire pressure monitoring system just by being repaired with it. However, there are a few concerns that you should be knowledgeable about when you use Fix-a-Flat on tires with a TPMS.

The bottom line, however, is that you are safe to use Fix-a-Flat in emergency situations. But you do need to take a few necessary steps, so you keep your sensors protected after the incident.

Fix-a-Flat won’t be able to damage your tire pressure monitoring system just by being repaired with it

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The Different Types of Tire Repair Emergency Products

Basically, the word “Fix-a-flat” became a general term that people now use to refer to products under tire repair emergency products. It’s the exact same way that most people will refer to photocopy as Xerox or any info searchable on the internet as “Google.” 

With that said, repair kits just like Fix-a-Flat, as well as other emergency inflators and kits, generally work by the same principle.  These inject a sealant into the tire and then fill it with air or other types of gas.

Repair kits just like Fix-a-Flat, as well as other emergency inflators and kits, generally work by the same principle

There are two kinds of these repair tire products best fit for emergencies. The first type we’d like to discuss comes with a particular kind of compressed gas and sealant.

The pressurized gas is contained in a pressurized canister. This repair kit is a dependable go-to emergency solution that has helped drivers and vehicle owners ever since it was developed.

The second type of tire repair kit consists of an air pump and some kind of a sealant. The sealant closes the leak securely while the pump is for the user to manually inject air into the tire.

If you’ve ever had the chance to use any of these two products, we’re sure it became handy when it came to emergencies. But despite their aid, there are still backlashing rumors that seem to surround these products.

One of them is that they may have the capability to cause explosions or even fire. Another rumor is that these products can damage rims, tires and of course, TPMS sensors.

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Combustible tires

Fix-a-Flat is a tire repair emergency kit that combines compressed gas in a sealed container and a sealant. There was a time when the gas in their sealed containers was combustible. Hence, the start of the “explosion” and “fire” rumor.

The concept was that if the tire repair product was composed of flammable gas, the tire can catch fire when dispensed into it. Most tire repairs consist of a foreign object which needs to be removed. The puncture hole will then need to be reamed out with a metal tool

Fix-a-Flat is a tire repair emergency kit that combines compressed gas in a sealed container and a sealant

The concept behind this was that a metal tool rubbing on your tire’s steel belts will make a spark. This was suspected with the capability to ignite the combustible gas in your tire after a Fix-a-Flat kit was used.

These days, Fix-a-Flat utilizes incombustible materials in their kits. The rumors, however, persisted. But if you buy the latest Fix-a-Flat emergency tire repair kit these days, we’re certain these are safe from possible explosions and fire.

Fix-a-Flat Damage to Rims, Tires, and TPMS Sensors

If you search for internet images of TPMS that were supposedly damaged by the old Fix-a-Flat kits, you’ll see crazy images.

It is unclear if this is caused by the latest versions of the product or the old ones. But Fix-a-Flat already claimed that their products are safe to use on cars with TPMS.

However, they did back up their statement with the need for a post-tire treatment. According to them, the user needs to clean, fix and check the tire after the repair. Driving around with the repaired car tires left unchecked may give you unlikely consequences.

It’s important to remember that Fix-a-Flat is only a temporary solution to a flat tire

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Note: It’s important to remember that Fix-a-Flat is only a temporary solution to a flat tire. This means you still ought to have it checked and repaired properly by an expert.

It is recommended that after you reach a more secure location, you need to remove the tire from its rim. It should then be permanently repaired.

The sealant liquid should also be removed until no residue is left. If there’s still sealant liquid left inside the tire, it could cause your tires to wear out unevenly.

This is a problem that will affect your car tires whether you do or don’t have TPMS. Know that all tire repair emergency kits leave a kind of residue in the tires. This needs to be cleansed as soon as you reach home or an automotive repair shop.