Fix a Flat and TPMS

[Rabidwooz]

I have one of those small carpet screws in my left rear tire about half an inch to an inch from the sidewall. I lose about 5-10 PSI a day (I just refill in my garage every morning before work). Two tire shops near me refused to patch the tire because of the liability of the patch failing. The tire is practically brand new so it's hard to justify spending $800 for new rear tires.
What are your experiences with using fix a flat? Is it safe, should I find a sketchier tire shop that will repair the pinhole leak, or just replace altogether? Thanks for any insight.

[agentrnge]

Try and patch with a patch/plug kit that you punch through the tire from the outside. They can be had online or at any auto parts store. Dont use fix-a-flat goo. That is meant to be used just to get you somewhere safe, so you can do a more permanent patch, or replace the tire. And dont drive on it low. Sidewall might have already been beat up at this point.

I have read that the punch through patch kits are also meant to be temporary, and you should get a better patch from the inside put on. I did a punch through patch on a set of winter tires and it held air for years, well it had a very very slow, top up 5psi every month kind of leak that never got worse..

[LarryM4C]

Originally Posted by Rabidwooz

I have one of those small carpet screws in my left rear tire . . . The tire is practically brand new so it's hard to justify spending $800 for new rear tires.

Curious..why would you buy 2 new tires if the one with the screw is practically new? Just replace the one tire.

Also, if the damaged tire was factory or dealer installed, you get a prorated warranty for replacing the tire. Even if the tire was installed at Tire Kingdom or something, then you might still have a hazard warranty if you paid the $8/tire or whatever.

[gatorfast]

Originally Posted by Rabidwooz

I have one of those small carpet screws in my left rear tire about half an inch to an inch from the sidewall. I lose about 5-10 PSI a day (I just refill in my garage every morning before work). Two tire shops near me refused to patch the tire because of the liability of the patch failing. The tire is practically brand new so it's hard to justify spending $800 for new rear tires.
What are your experiences with using fix a flat? Is it safe, should I find a sketchier tire shop that will repair the pinhole leak, or just replace altogether? Thanks for any insight.

Unless the screws are too close to the sidewall then there should be absolutely no reason a patch wont work. I would find a different tire shop and have them take a look.

That said, if the tire truly cannot be patched then I would consider replacing only that one tire (as another poster mentioned) granted the other rear tire is practically brand new like you mentioned. If the other rear tire has some wear though then best to replace them both unfortunately.

[lvevo]

Rabidwooz I haven't got a nail that close to the sidewall, but it was like 2 inches from the sidewall and they repaired it. I went to local tire shop and they would not repair it because the tire was not leaking air. I think it had to do with the tire being low profile.

I have had good success with America's Tire/Discount Tire and Costco. Costco will only repair tires that you have bought from them. All those shops use a tire patch and plug.

[lvevo]

Also some shops will prorate (Credit you) based on how much tread is left on the tire. So ask the place where you bought the tire from if they prorate tires.

[Rabidwooz]

Originally Posted by lvevo

Rabidwooz I haven't got a nail that close to the sidewall, but it was like 2 inches from the sidewall and they repaired it. I went to local tire shop and they would not repair it because the tire was not leaking air. I think it had to do with the tire being low profile.

I have had good success with America's Tire/Discount Tire and Costco. Costco will only repair tires that you have bought from them. All those shops use a tire patch and plug.

Yeah I'm going to try to go to a couple Discount Tires around me. It seems like the local shops are too afraid to do the work in case it fails. I'm going to head around town to different shops tomorrow. I don't want to give up too easily and just spend the $800 haha. Thanks for the insight!

[N1rve]

Originally Posted by Rabidwooz

Yeah I'm going to try to go to a couple Discount Tires around me. It seems like the local shops are too afraid to do the work in case it fails. I'm going to head around town to different shops tomorrow. I don't want to give up too easily and just spend the $800 haha. Thanks for the insight!

You should only need one tire. Don't get scammed into buying two tires lol. Car is not AWD and the rear diff is smart enough to adapt to a slight size different.

[Rabidwooz]

Nobody around town would patch it lol. I even tried bribing with a $50 under the table.

[danchee]

That should be patchable...

[AlterZgo]

I think they don't want to patch it as it's too close to the corner. I had a shop patch a nail in that same location and it failed pretty quickly. I think a tire plug or fix a flat may fix it. But if your tires are relatively new, just get 1 brand new tire.

[gatorfast]

Thats pretty close to the sidewall, may not be able to salvage it

[thestimp]

Less than an inch from the side wall means its in the seam line/out of of chord line, it wont hold and possibly get worse. See if your tires have a road hazard warranty. Such is life with tires.

[dcpatters]

Plug it.

[Rabidwooz]

I ended up getting two new tires. Going to keep these and patch it on my own so when the new ones go I'll just switch back to these. I'll end up spending the cash either way. Super unlucky and annoying nonetheless

[BMWM5NYC]

Originally Posted by Rabidwooz

Nobody around town would patch it lol. I even tried bribing with a $50 under the table.

Too close to the sidewall. If you look from the inside you will see there is no flat surface for patch to sit.

[MisterF80M3]

That is not patchable but it can be plugged.

[Fast4d]

use the gummy string plug. I've used this type of plug on motorcycle and car tires (at least on 5 tires). never had a leak.

I carry a kit in my M3. I rather use it than the gel/foam in the OEM kit.