Sponsored by The Tire Rack

[josh]

Is it OK to leave fix-a-flat goop inside the tire when patching it, or do you need to take the tire off and remove the goop somehow? Also, does it affect tire pressure sensors in any way?
Are some types more suitable for BMW wheels than others?

Thanks in advance.

[VMRWheels]

If worse comes to worse, you may have to offset the fix a flat with some additional weights but it shouldn't be too bad at all.

-Charles@VMRWheels

[gnpower]

I've used fix-a-flat twice in my life and both times it serverely unbalanced my tire to the point of replacement. It has been many years since I've used the stuff and wouldn't never use it again.

[josh]

That's been my experience, too - fix-a-flat essentially destroys the tire.
I wonder if there are brands which deposit less 'goop' inside the wheel, whether it can be removed or scraped out if the wheel is taken off, or what the recommended procedure is after it's used.

[KingOfJericho]

In my Exige, a can of fix-a-flat came in the boot as your spare tire substitute (they weight too much). I had 2 flats in only 6k miles and used the fix-a-flat both times. What you have to do is drive the car immediately after filling the tire with the goop. That will ensure that the goop is evenly dispersed within the tire and will not throw the wheel out of balance.

Also, I've heard that the goop will kill the TPMS but I have nothing to back it up...

[mleskovar]

Originally Posted by josh

...I wonder if there are brands which deposit less 'goop' inside the wheel, whether it can be removed or scraped out if the wheel is taken off, or what the recommended procedure is after it's used.

Yes. Several manufacturers make a sealant that is thin and spreads around the tire evenly so balance isn't affected. The difference is you put in in the tire, drive to spread the product in the tire, before you get the flat and it stays there for the life of the tire fixing holes. Different concept than fix-a-flat type slimes. Some are very specific about how much to install depending on tire size. It remains on the inside perimeter of the tire so it won't affect the TPMS which is attached to the rim. Viking is one, but I'd research to see what you prefer. They all seal up to 1/4" and if the hole is big enough to lose air it will work. It also helps with losing air through the natural porosity of the rubber. Better heat dissipation is also claimed. Install once and forget about it until you buy new tires. I've been thinking about it.