Questions about Flat Tire

SkyRedLine84 · 03-04-2008, 08:35 AM

So I did a search last night about getting flat tires on the sky and now I have a few questions about what the general consensus has been saying...

Well first, here's my story...I just purchased my sky redline on saturday, and last night I got home from work and I could hear the tire losing air. So being the newb that I am to the kappa, I busted out the GM fix a flat and filled the tire up, and that fixed the flat. I drove over to a Saturn dealership and they said it was too late for them to work on it, but they referred me to a merchant tire and auto. Merchant told me I had to buy a new tire and a new tire pressure sensor. At first I thought this was just a bunch of BS, since Saturn told me all I had to do was clean out the fix a flat and plug the hole and I should be fine. So then I decided to drive to Sears and they told me I'm fine with the fix a flat in the tire, but they wanted to plug the hole just in case the fix a flat doesn't hold. They weren't able to find the hole on the tire, which is pretty weird because I could feel the air shooting out of the tire.

So now this brings me to my questions about getting a flat tire. If it is true that the fix a flat destroys your tire press sensor, how much am I looking at to get it repaired? Also, it doesn't look like an object punctured my tire, the tire just started losing air on its own. Would Saturn cover this under warranty? And my last question is, I've been reading that a lot of people have been buying the DIY flat tire plugs. Do you have to take the tire off the car to do this? the Sky doesn't come with a jack, which is lame, so are you carrying a jack and some tools to remove the wheel in your trunk?

KentuckySky · 03-04-2008, 01:11 PM

I really can't help with the "Fix a flat" questions but I can tell you that I did have a flat a few weeks ago but fortunately was able to drive into the shop. I was told that they could not and would not "plug" my tire. It had to be "patched". That is what they did. When I left, the "Check tire sensor" light was on. I called the shop to see if they knew why and they said that is something that needs to be reset from the dealer. Then, I read where some of the tire removal equipment could damage the sensor.

I have it on my list of things to tell the dealership about when I go in for my check-up. I too am curious how much this is going to cost but I can't go around with that darned light flashing all the time so I have no choice. Let us know if you get a price AND tell us what happened so we don't do the same thing in the future.

Ernest · 03-04-2008, 01:43 PM

You have to be real careful removing tires from wheels with TPS's. Best you should break the tire down, remove the sensor before taking tire off of rim. Tire Pressure Sensor's aren't cheap!

DeepBlueGXP · 03-04-2008, 02:30 PM

Fix a flat will ruin the sensor since it filled the hole in it that detects the pressure. In order to clean it out, your tire has to be taken off, big mess... Next time call the 800# you got with the car, should be in your glove box. The fix a flat should be you last ditch effort if you can't reach anyone and you are stranded. You can plug these tires safely as long it is in the tread and not the sidewall. My son's GXP tire had a nail in it, (we were at home, lucky me) plugged it while it was on the car. That was a few months ago.

You don't get tools to remove the tire because they don't provide a spare.

Rob the Elder · 03-04-2008, 02:42 PM

The proper repair for a V rated tire is to apply a hot patch to the inside of the tire. I carry a plug set. If you get a nail in the tread or low in the sidewall that you can repair with a plug you are good to go.

Basically a plug is vulcanized rubber with rubber cement soaking it. The kit comes with a reamer and an insertion tool. You use the reamer to clean out the hole so the rubber cement will work. Then pull the protective coating off the plug and insert it half way through the insertion tool. You force the plug through the hole such that there is a bit of the plug sticking outside the hole and the hole is completely filled. Then you rotate the insertion tool and slide it in and out a bit to dissengage the plug from the insertion tool. Then you remove the insertion tool.

You then inflate the tire with AIR not the fix-a-flat.

The chemical make up of the factory repair gunk is such that it will damage the in tire pressure transducer and will make a normal hot patch difficult and problematic. Since there is liability associated with repairing the tire, a shop that sees the factory gunk will go the easy path and tell you that you need a new tire.

So I always carry a plug kit and have removed the factory fix-a-flat for last course, the tire is gone anyway action. If you can get a plug in it, you will save the tire 99% of the time and you can drive on it at "normal" speeds forever and never notice the difference. If you go to warp speed, then take it to a shop and have them install a patch on the inside of the tire for a good permanent fix.

duck833 · 03-04-2008, 05:15 PM

I have had a flat with my 07, no sensor, I used the fix-a-flat stuff.

I took it to Goodyear the next day, they cleaned up the fix-a-flat stuff, patched it properly from the inside and I was good to go.

Tire shop basically told me if the goop is left in for to long a time the tire is toast and they can not clean it up.

With these tires and the way I drive I would only have a qualified shop tear the tire down and repair it from the inside.

michigan_sky_guy · 03-04-2008, 05:28 PM

I had a flat (screw between tred) on a SUV tire and the only option was to use the fix a flat. The next day the tire store cleaned the tire and found the hole (I had to help find the hole but I had marked it when I found the screw).

They charged a bit more to fix it because of the necessary cleaning... but no problem with the tire pressure sensor working afterwards.

compdoc777 · 03-04-2008, 05:36 PM

Tire monitor is supposed to help you before your tire goes flat.

Bogie · 03-05-2008, 01:48 AM

Brand new car?
Plug AND patch it. Believe me, you want to maintain the rating.
If can't find the hole, or can't fix the sensors, consider getting a new tire. If car is new, a new tire will match tread on existing tires. They run about $160, maybe $200 installed. A good chunk of change, but probably worth it on a performance car. Make a deal with the dealer....have tire inspected after it's removed. If it is a "defect", dealer covers under warranty.

Edit: Welcome to the Forum.

TINOONIT · 03-05-2008, 03:46 PM

Bogie, you are always so informative!

THANKS!!!

Blue Sky Redline · 03-05-2008, 06:38 PM

I called the Saturn Tech people about the exact problem. Why would you use a sealant on a tire that has a sensor that will be ruined if sealant is used.
The Saturn guy said no one has asked this question to them before

.
He also said the sensor warranty would be voided if the sealant were to be used.

I also purchased a tire plug kit for the car and a pair of pliers to pull the nail/screw out.

Bogie · 03-05-2008, 09:22 PM

The owner's manual specified in BOLD lettering that tire sealants will void the Tire Pressure Monitor warranty.

I guess the dichotomy comes in considering the factory supplied tire sealant, if used as directed, will void the warranty.

How much do the monitors cost?

gadget · 03-05-2008, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bogie

The owner's manual specified in BOLD lettering that tire sealants will void the Tire Pressure Monitor warranty.

I guess the dichotomy comes in considering the factory supplied tire sealant, if used as directed, will void the warranty.

How much do the monitors cost?

From what I can gather there are two types that GM uses. From the pictures I think it's the same one the Vette uses and I saw them online for $78.
A tire plug can get sheared off in the tread of a radial tire by the steel belts. But for an instant fix it's a good way to go.
If you leave tire sealant in a tire it will cause balance problems in the tire as well as plug up the reference holes in the sensor. OK for bicycles. Not so good for a car.

In any case it's best to have the tire patched as soon as possible

SkyRedLine84 · 11-15-2008, 02:41 AM

sorry to bump an old thread. But I just wanted to give an update about my tire. So I've been driving for about 8 months now on the same tire that I filled with the GM fix-a-flat and I've had no problems. The tire pressure sensor still works, and the tire is also performing well. I'm not sure if this answers the question to whether fix-a-flat destroys tire pressure sensors or not, but I'm one example where it didn't.

Bogie · 11-15-2008, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SkyRedLine84

sorry to bump an old thread. But I just wanted to give an update about my tire. So I've been driving for about 8 months now on the same tire that I filled with the GM fix-a-flat and I've had no problems. The tire pressure sensor still works, and the tire is also performing well. I'm not sure if this answers the question to whether fix-a-flat destroys tire pressure sensors or not, but I'm one example where it didn't.

My only caution at this point is take it easy. I'm not so much concerned about the TPSM, but whether or not the tire has maintained its rating. Normal driving is probably OK. If you drive with any "performance" (speed or cornering), there may be some danger, especially if the tire is on the front and even more so if it's on the front opposite the performance turn.

**RickyD** · 11-15-2008, 09:38 AM

WHATS THE QUESTION??? WE DON'T HAVE A SPARE.

gunslinger43 · 11-26-2008, 10:44 PM

Senor is $66.00

03-04-2008, 08:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
SkyRedLine84 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marlyand Posts: 6 My Photos: (0)	Questions about Flat Tire So I did a search last night about getting flat tires on the sky and now I have a few questions about what the general consensus has been saying... Well first, here's my story...I just purchased my sky redline on saturday, and last night I got home from work and I could hear the tire losing air. So being the newb that I am to the kappa, I busted out the GM fix a flat and filled the tire up, and that fixed the flat. I drove over to a Saturn dealership and they said it was too late for them to work on it, but they referred me to a merchant tire and auto. Merchant told me I had to buy a new tire and a new tire pressure sensor. At first I thought this was just a bunch of BS, since Saturn told me all I had to do was clean out the fix a flat and plug the hole and I should be fine. So then I decided to drive to Sears and they told me I'm fine with the fix a flat in the tire, but they wanted to plug the hole just in case the fix a flat doesn't hold. They weren't able to find the hole on the tire, which is pretty weird because I could feel the air shooting out of the tire. So now this brings me to my questions about getting a flat tire. If it is true that the fix a flat destroys your tire press sensor, how much am I looking at to get it repaired? Also, it doesn't look like an object punctured my tire, the tire just started losing air on its own. Would Saturn cover this under warranty? And my last question is, I've been reading that a lot of people have been buying the DIY flat tire plugs. Do you have to take the tire off the car to do this? the Sky doesn't come with a jack, which is lame, so are you carrying a jack and some tools to remove the wheel in your trunk?

03-04-2008, 01:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
KentuckySky Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 280 My Photos: (0)	I really can't help with the "Fix a flat" questions but I can tell you that I did have a flat a few weeks ago but fortunately was able to drive into the shop. I was told that they could not and would not "plug" my tire. It had to be "patched". That is what they did. When I left, the "Check tire sensor" light was on. I called the shop to see if they knew why and they said that is something that needs to be reset from the dealer. Then, I read where some of the tire removal equipment could damage the sensor. I have it on my list of things to tell the dealership about when I go in for my check-up. I too am curious how much this is going to cost but I can't go around with that darned light flashing all the time so I have no choice. Let us know if you get a price AND tell us what happened so we don't do the same thing in the future. __________________ Judi 2008 Red Line Midnight Blue Automatic

03-04-2008, 01:43 PM	#3 (permalink)
Ernest First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Arlington, TEXAS Posts: 4,297 My Photos: (10)	You have to be real careful removing tires from wheels with TPS's. Best you should break the tire down, remove the sensor before taking tire off of rim. Tire Pressure Sensor's aren't cheap! __________________ ERNEST '04 Torch Red Corvette Coupe '07 Corvette Z06 "Scarlett" Victory Red 555.6 rwhp / 485.5 rwt N/A - No Spray Myspace www.myspace.com/ernest06z06 Scarlett's 10.97 @ 127 Video www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWEaFz9hn8s

03-04-2008, 05:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
duck833 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Eugene, Oregon/Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 417 My Photos: (0)	I have had a flat with my 07, no sensor, I used the fix-a-flat stuff. I took it to Goodyear the next day, they cleaned up the fix-a-flat stuff, patched it properly from the inside and I was good to go. Tire shop basically told me if the goop is left in for to long a time the tire is toast and they can not clean it up. With these tires and the way I drive I would only have a qualified shop tear the tire down and repair it from the inside. __________________ Ordered cars at two dealerships, ended up snagging one at Saturn of Beaverton, Oregon Member of the Snaggers Club RED Line Yellow Magna-Flow. CAI, chromies, stubby ant Loaded

03-04-2008, 05:28 PM	#7 (permalink)
michigan_sky_guy First 2000 Sr. Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 43 My Photos: (0)	Fix a flat I had a flat (screw between tred) on a SUV tire and the only option was to use the fix a flat. The next day the tire store cleaned the tire and found the hole (I had to help find the hole but I had marked it when I found the screw). They charged a bit more to fix it because of the necessary cleaning... but no problem with the tire pressure sensor working afterwards.

Remove Advertisements Sponsored Links
Saturn Sky Forum Advertisement

03-04-2008, 02:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
DeepBlueGXP Senior Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Lusby, MD (by Solomons) Posts: 122 My Photos: (0)	Fix a flat will ruin the sensor since it filled the hole in it that detects the pressure. In order to clean it out, your tire has to be taken off, big mess... Next time call the 800# you got with the car, should be in your glove box. The fix a flat should be you last ditch effort if you can't reach anyone and you are stranded. You can plug these tires safely as long it is in the tread and not the sidewall. My son's GXP tire had a nail in it, (we were at home, lucky me) plugged it while it was on the car. That was a few months ago. You don't get tools to remove the tire because they don't provide a spare.

03-04-2008, 02:42 PM	#5 (permalink)
Rob the Elder Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Parker Colorado Posts: 308 My Photos: (1)	The proper repair for a V rated tire is to apply a hot patch to the inside of the tire. I carry a plug set. If you get a nail in the tread or low in the sidewall that you can repair with a plug you are good to go. Basically a plug is vulcanized rubber with rubber cement soaking it. The kit comes with a reamer and an insertion tool. You use the reamer to clean out the hole so the rubber cement will work. Then pull the protective coating off the plug and insert it half way through the insertion tool. You force the plug through the hole such that there is a bit of the plug sticking outside the hole and the hole is completely filled. Then you rotate the insertion tool and slide it in and out a bit to dissengage the plug from the insertion tool. Then you remove the insertion tool. You then inflate the tire with AIR not the fix-a-flat. The chemical make up of the factory repair gunk is such that it will damage the in tire pressure transducer and will make a normal hot patch difficult and problematic. Since there is liability associated with repairing the tire, a shop that sees the factory gunk will go the easy path and tell you that you need a new tire. So I always carry a plug kit and have removed the factory fix-a-flat for last course, the tire is gone anyway action. If you can get a plug in it, you will save the tire 99% of the time and you can drive on it at "normal" speeds forever and never notice the difference. If you go to warp speed, then take it to a shop and have them install a patch on the inside of the tire for a good permanent fix.

03-04-2008, 05:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
compdoc777 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 579 My Photos: (6)	Tire monitor is supposed to help you before your tire goes flat. __________________ 07 SKY Redline Silver Red/Black Leather, JPM Dash Red leather, WDE Carbon Fiber Dash Kit, BSR Tune, Fujita Intake, Dejon IC pipes, Hahn IC, 3" Magnaflow Quad Exhaust, DDM BBK (RED), BlackCatCustom Gauges. http://www.compdoc777.com/Carstuff/sky1.jpg

03-05-2008, 01:48 AM	#9 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,476 My Photos: (0)	Brand new car? Plug AND patch it. Believe me, you want to maintain the rating. If can't find the hole, or can't fix the sensors, consider getting a new tire. If car is new, a new tire will match tread on existing tires. They run about $160, maybe $200 installed. A good chunk of change, but probably worth it on a performance car. Make a deal with the dealer....have tire inspected after it's removed. If it is a "defect", dealer covers under warranty. Edit: Welcome to the Forum. __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver

03-05-2008, 03:46 PM	#10 (permalink)
TINOONIT Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Florida Posts: 122 My Photos: (0)	Bogie, you are always so informative! THANKS!!! __________________ 2008 Sky Redline Polar White-Tan top with Bl/Tan Leather 6 Disk Monsoon System Spoiler

03-05-2008, 06:38 PM	#11 (permalink)
Blue Sky Redline Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Elvisland Posts: 268 My Photos: (0)	I called the Saturn Tech people about the exact problem. Why would you use a sealant on a tire that has a sensor that will be ruined if sealant is used. The Saturn guy said no one has asked this question to them before. He also said the sensor warranty would be voided if the sealant were to be used. I also purchased a tire plug kit for the car and a pair of pliers to pull the nail/screw out. __________________ '08 Midnight Blue Redline Auto No mods Loaded, 6 cd monsoon License plate: BLUSKYY Kill List: 525, G35S, Civic rice burner, 350Z, Impala LT, Dodge Charger(non-Hemi) Hyundai Tiburon GT, Neon SRT, Jaguar XJ

03-05-2008, 09:22 PM	#12 (permalink)
Bogie Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Northern, VA Posts: 2,476 My Photos: (0)	The owner's manual specified in BOLD lettering that tire sealants will void the Tire Pressure Monitor warranty. I guess the dichotomy comes in considering the factory supplied tire sealant, if used as directed, will void the warranty. How much do the monitors cost? __________________ 2008 Redline Black Onyx Black/Red Leather Monsoon 6 Disc Spoiler French Transmission Born July 2007 Snagged 8/31/07 Belle? That's my car Alizée? That's my avatar Me? Forty something male skydriver

11-15-2008, 02:41 AM	#14 (permalink)
SkyRedLine84 Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Marlyand Posts: 6 My Photos: (0)	sorry to bump an old thread. But I just wanted to give an update about my tire. So I've been driving for about 8 months now on the same tire that I filled with the GM fix-a-flat and I've had no problems. The tire pressure sensor still works, and the tire is also performing well. I'm not sure if this answers the question to whether fix-a-flat destroys tire pressure sensors or not, but I'm one example where it didn't.

11-15-2008, 09:38 AM	#16 (permalink)
RickyD Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Mobile AL. Posts: 404 My Photos: (8)	Answer... WHATS THE QUESTION??? WE DON'T HAVE A SPARE.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)

11-26-2008, 10:44 PM	#17 (permalink)
gunslinger43 Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 8 My Photos: (0)	Senor is $66.00

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode