Anyone had a flat yet? Curious about the kit functionality

[anthony94114]

Eventually we'll all probably have to deal with a flat.. just curious how real-world useful the fix-a-flat kit is -especially without a spare.

[Tardis]

We've had so many conflicting reveiws of the kit that we now carry a spare(our winter front in summer and summer front in winter) We have had several flats, one just a few weeks ago when a pothole damaged the rim wrecked the tire. Others were slow leaks and the compressor was used to refill till we got it to a tire place and was plugged. We've heard the goo makes your tire unfixable, plus one guy had it goo out all over the road instead of inside properly. so for us a spare fits nicely behind the drivers seat I made a cover so it doesn't smell and we have a small jack etc.

[vanslam]

None yet ** knock on wood.

[mfoster]

I had a slow leak due to a piece of metal that punctured the tread. It kept enough air until I got to my tire dealer. They removed the tire and patched from the inside. All is good. Did not have to use the tire kit.

[nex1]

The whole no spare concerns me, my truck had a flat on day 1 or 2 after buying it, huge bolt in the road, destroyed the tire (glad I had a full size spare). My car before, had I think at least 2-3 flat tires in 4 years (one was a blow out on a holiday weekend driving from Atlanta to Ohio).... I wish the smart had spare standard!

[anthony94114]

I agree. A donut and a little jack would bring a different confidence. Then at least if you get an unfixable flat.. you don't have to deal with it via a tow truck and all that mess.

[strider63]

Some of us have purchased a jack and a spare.
(I would recommend to get a tire tote also)
Here is the thread to follow.
Spare - Jack - Wrench - Jack Points

The goo does not ruin the wheel and sensors, but it does gum them up requiring a clean up. So in addition to repairing the tire you would have to pay to clean up the wheel and tire pressure sensor. Some one was told it would add $130 more to the repair.

[Old smart]

Originally Posted by strider63

... Some one was told it would add $130 more to the repair.

That was me. My dealer said thirty bucks added to the repair. For $130 I'd be on the ding-wah to TireRack!

[Chassol]

We are going to buy two extra front and rear tires from Tirerack.

[Westfield 11]

I am going to buy a little trailer to hold my 4 spare wheels and tires along with my floor jack and air compressor for the impact wrench. Think that will work? Either that or my wife can hold the spare on her lap when we put the groceries in back.