AboutBrett Harrell Expertise I can answer questions about tire brand applications without Brand bias or company loyalties. Any bias that I may have is based on practical and real world experiences. I will answer questions about tire sizes, wear, speed ratings, load indexes as well as most other questions about passenger, light truck, tractor along with RV/trailer & medium truck tires. Please include the type of drivetrain for vehicles: 2WD, 4WD, AWD and if the vehicle is lifted or lowered. If you have a tractor question please indicate if it's 2WD, Front Assist or 4WD.
Experience 1) 2 years as a lead tire builder and 7 years in quality assurance diagnosing failures at the plant level and in the field. This work was performed for a major tire manufacturer. 2) 18 years in sales to the end user of ALL types and brands of tires.
Expert: Brett Harrell Date: 7/16/2008 Subject: Fix a Flat
Question What is the big deal about using fix a flat and Retailers like Walmart saying they won't cover the tire when it goes flat. My son had a flat that had a cut, tear or puncture just down the side from the tread and they said they would not cover the tire that is 7 months old because fix a flat was used to air it up. Walmart even sells it!
Answer Randy,
Per your description of the location of the damage to the tire this tire was NOT repairable with/without fix-a-flat having been used. A tire can not and should not be repaired in a sidewall of ANY tire.
I have NO answer for the 7 months that is apparently a Wal-Mart policy of some sort.
There is a lot of controversy about the use of Fix-A-Flat in tires within the tire community. It has been my experience that if the product is used as detailed in the instructions and the damage is in a repairable area then a tire can be repaired after the use of the product. It will and should however cost you more to have the tire repaired.
