Whenever you read something about Fix-a-Flat, you can see a multitude of mechanics, tire technicians, and other unfortunate individuals telling you how dangerous the product is.
style=”font-size: 12pt;”>Here’s a word for them: FALSE. They claim that the propellant used in Fix-a-Flat (and similar) products can cause an explosion when a technician goes to dismount the tire for a proper repair.
The erroneous allegations
The story goes like this:
style=”font-size: 12pt;”> A driver on their way to work from home gets a flat. They never bothered to check the pressure in their spare tire, and it’s flat too. Fortunately, their brother bought them a can of Fix-a-Flat last year, and they threw it in the trunk. They fill the tire and head to the tire shop for a proper repair or a new tire. At the tire shop, the technician puts the wheel on the tire machine and, somehow, while deflating the tire or breaking the bead, a spark flies, ignites the flammable propellant left behind by the tire sealant, and injures or kills them (depending on which version of the story you’re listening to).
The fact is that the chemical propellant used in Fix-a-Flat today is a non-flammable gas. It will not explode!
Debunking the myth
A little research revealed that, in fact, some tire sealant and inflator products did contain explosive chemicals as propellants. The “did” is the important piece of information here. There are a few famous cases involving serious explosions from tire sealant products. Even Fix-a-Flat had explosive qualities until 1999, when they pulled the product from the shelves and replaced it with a new non-explosive formula. With this information, the people who continuously say that Fix-a-Flat will kill you are not entirely misinformed, just a decade too late. Obviously, if there were a chance of explosion, the product would be dangerous, but the fact is that there is no chance of explosion with this roadside emergency aid.
Important note about other products
While Fix-a-Flat is certainly non-explosive, it is very possible that other lesser-known tire sealant products on the market still use a propane or butane-based propellant.
Be especially wary of odd brands you find in dollar stores or at flea markets – some of them don’t even have to pass federal scrutiny because they are brought into the country “under the radar.” To be safe, stick with a major brand like Fix-a-Flat. If you’re not sure, do some research to find out how safe your product is. Those few dollars you save could seriously backfire if you end up with an inferior product. Even if it doesn’t explode, it might just suck, leaving you stranded when you thought you were prepared for a flat tire. This is part of your emergency preparedness kit.