-
For more information on how to avoid pop-up ads and still support SkiTalk click HERE.
12 Volt Emergency Flat Tire Inflator, Suggestions/Recommendations?
- Thread starter Muleski
- Start date
Are we overlooking the obvious fix a flat can? I keep two in every vehicle. Sure, a plug kit and actual compressor is a permanent fix solution. Regardless, I've had some pretty gnarly multiple nail flats where two cans of fix a flat got me 50 miles to the tire shop and probably could have gone days if needed.
The downside of Fix a Flat,:
Many tireshops will refuse to patch/plug a tire if you used fix-a-flat and will consider the tire ruined. Even if fixaflat says it can be safely cleaned up, the tire shop is not going to do it.
They may also charge a substantial extra fee to cleanup your wheel even to replace with a new tire.
It can also ruin the TPMS which is yet another cost.
If you got out of the tireshop after using fix-a-flat without incurring substantial extra fees; you may have gotten lucky.
Of course in an emergency you need to do what you need to do.
Many tireshops will refuse to patch/plug a tire if you used fix-a-flat and will consider the tire ruined. Even if fixaflat says it can be safely cleaned up, the tire shop is not going to do it.
They may also charge a substantial extra fee to cleanup your wheel even to replace with a new tire.
It can also ruin the TPMS which is yet another cost.
If you got out of the tireshop after using fix-a-flat without incurring substantial extra fees; you may have gotten lucky.
Of course in an emergency you need to do what you need to do.
Last edited:
Not quite what you asked for, but we use it in our Rally pits.
Milwaukee M12 12-Volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Portable Inflator Kit with 4.0 Ah Battery, Charger and Bonus 2.0 Ah Battery Pack 2475-21XC-48-11-2420 - The Home Depot
Fastest Cordless Tire Inflator. The Milwaukee M12 Compact Inflator delivers fast, accurate, easy inflation with the portability to take anywhere. The inflator has the capability to complete demanding applications like car, LT truck, and compact equipment tires, the M12 Compact Inflator gives...
www.homedepot.com
Ether and a lighter.
Ether and a lighter.
I've only done that once - on a wheelbarrow.
Thread Starter
TS
Hi,
Thanks for the suggestions. I would love to avoid crapping up a TMPS sensor, as best I can. Sensors are cheap. Car is a BMW wagon. Amazes me that there is no well to fit even a donut. Any thoughts on fix a flat versus Slime, or another product? I still want a compressor….a small quality unit.
Appreciate the ideas.
I can basically 50+ miles from anywhere on winter weekends. I mean anywhere. And more like 150 to a decent tire store or BMW dealer. Not that this car will EVER see a dealership!
Thanks again.
Thanks for the suggestions. I would love to avoid crapping up a TMPS sensor, as best I can. Sensors are cheap. Car is a BMW wagon. Amazes me that there is no well to fit even a donut. Any thoughts on fix a flat versus Slime, or another product? I still want a compressor….a small quality unit.
Appreciate the ideas.
I can basically 50+ miles from anywhere on winter weekends. I mean anywhere. And more like 150 to a decent tire store or BMW dealer. Not that this car will EVER see a dealership!
Thanks again.
I have discovered that I am a total klutz with the ones that screw onto the valve stem; I release too much air taking it off. I like the quick-flip release ones, even if the rubber seal will eventually wear down.
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2015
- Posts
- 8,479
V I Air compressor of choice and a couple cans of fix-a-flat. Heck, I've had slow leaks that I "topped off" every day or so on vacation, until we drove past a tire store.
Any reputable tire shop will take care of you with goop in your tire, especially if you let them know about the goop before they dig in.
I've worked the dickens out of our VI Air over the year re-inflating Sprinter and RV tires when we finish with the rough, unpaved roads, and return to pavement. Never a wimper from it.
Any reputable tire shop will take care of you with goop in your tire, especially if you let them know about the goop before they dig in.
I've worked the dickens out of our VI Air over the year re-inflating Sprinter and RV tires when we finish with the rough, unpaved roads, and return to pavement. Never a wimper from it.
What about a spare tire carrier? Probably need to find a welder to do a custom fab.
The industry has been going away from spare ties for awhile now. Money to be made in services.
Any 12volt tire inflator will work but most are mind numbingly slow. I do carry a tire plug kit in all of my cars that don’t have a spare tire. Fortunately I cannot vouch for how well they work.
Amazon.com : Tire patch kit
www.amazon.com
If the tire pops off the rim, most 12 volt compressors won't push enough air to pop it back on the rim.
Those patch kits generally work very well for nail/screw punctures. Key is be patient and clean (ream) out the hole prior to installing the plug. Secret sauce is some rubber cement. It lubricates the plug while going in and seals the really minor air leaks. Give it few minutes to set prior to pressuring the tire. PVC pipe glue works real well too.
The plugs are usually pretty gooey so are pretty much self sealing, IME but adding some glue can’t hurt.
TPMS has been an issue, extra $40. When you're flat on the side of the road in the dark with no cell signal and your car is full of gear on top of the jack and spare (if you even have a spare) fix a flat is a hands down winner for me. In that situation IDGAFlip if the TPMS might need replacing. Used the cans about 4-5 times this century, last time in 2019 and the tire shop was super nice. Tire was wrecked, hit a board full of nails so no plugging it. Never had an issue with them plugging one hole after the goo was used. Again though for a super fast and easy way to get to a safe location from the middle of nowhere I'm going to use the can every time before digging out a jack or calling roadside and waiting an hour..
Thread Starter
TS
The link includes every kit sold on Amazon. Do you have one that you’d recommend? Or anybody else? Thanks.
Thread Starter
TS
It’s a mint 3 series wagon. My third, sixth in the family. Not sure how this would possibly work. Or how ugly it would be. I’m sure it would be effective.
One part of the equation is that I have full sized spares, unidirectional all season at home, at the ski and summer places. Both are about 225 miles from home.