Anyone successfully used "Fix-A-Flat?

Spare tires are a throwback to the days before cell phones and roadside assistance. When I think of all the fuel that could be saved if they were eliminated.....
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I have had great success with the Tire Plugger 

I was driving my truck when I noticed the low tire pressure light come on. I pulled over andfound that I picked up something in my tire and it had come out. Used the plug to patch the hole and made it to a gas station to air up my tire. I suppose you could have a combination kit; the Tire Plugger kit and a can of Fix-a-Flat to air up the tire.

Gordon,

I have used Fix-A-Flat, or a similar product, in the past to get me home after a flat.  It did what it was supposed to do, i.e., repair the leak sufficiently to allow me to get home, in my case about 5 miles across town.

I'm sure the product wouldn't work in every puncture/blowout situation, but, for the normal nail hole type of puncture, it's adequate.  I also carry a small 12-volt compressor with tire valve to help fill the tire if necessary.  The tire I fixed still had good thread, so I had a tire shop clean the goop out and repair the tire, then remounted it.  These temporary repair products tell the user to remove all residue within a time certain after use, or you can get an out-of-balance situation after the goop hardens in place.   

Slime makes a kit that has a 12v air pump included with a pretty long cord. I carry that and what Robert said - those plugs and I hope for the best.

I have used the sticky gooey black stringy plugs several times.  Have lasted the life of the tire.  I carry a fresh pack of them, a jack and a pump in my replicas.  No spare, but a AAA card if all else fails.

I used it once with success. I carry a can and hope I never have to use it.

Tell you the truth, I can count on one hand the amount of flats I've had in 37 years of driving.

I read some where, probably here. The poster indicated that the spare tire up front provided some crash protection?

Yah, they're soft on the teeth.

Ask MUSBJIM.

I was surprised to see an air pump affixed to a bottle of tire repair goop in trunk of my new MX-5 (Miata).  I had read (Consumer Reports) that the stuff messes up tire pressure monitor sensors (TPMS) causing warning light to go off as well as throw off tire balance.

Greg, I doubt Gordon has TPS sensors in his speedy. But he does have very little room in his "Frunk"

Art wrote: "I read some where, probably here. The poster indicated that the spare tire up front provided some crash protection?"

Well, I suppose it's better than having the steering column come up through your throat, as they used to do in the original Minis.  I think that if I had the spare mounted in the well way up in front there might be some sort of added crash protection, but then OTOH, Mine is mounted horizontally toward the forward half of the fuel tank and I think, as Bill mentions, it would end up being softer on the teeth.

Thanks for the insight, everyone....   Too many negatives with the can-o-slime so I've decided to look for a Porsche 9-series, 16" space saver spare.  The spare I've had for 17 years was a "universal" spare from a full-size Cadillac (3 years had 16" space saver rims with a combination of Chevy and 5X130 bolt patterns, meaning that there are ten holes in the wheel center - not especially cool).  Already got the word out to salvage yards and at Unobtainium.  Maybe I'll end up with a spare wheel looking like Marty's 

BobG posted:

Ask MUSBJIM.

FWIW - This is my previous VS (with full-size spare tire) after I t-boned a car going in opposite direction that turned directly in front of me. Speed at impact was around 45 mph. My wife suffered only a couple of bruises. We both walked away from that crash.

Speedsters hold up very well as seen in that photo, the spare surely shared in the lateral impact force. 

The VW Beetle's spare stored in front of the axle beam was not for looks , it was intended to absorb impact.

Gordon Nichols posted:

Art wrote: "I read some where, probably here. The poster indicated that the spare tire up front provided some crash protection?"

Well, I suppose it's better than having the steering column come up through your throat, as they used to do in the original Minis.  I think that if I had the spare mounted in the well way up in front there might be some sort of added crash protection, but then OTOH, Mine is mounted horizontally toward the forward half of the fuel tank and I think, as Bill mentions, it would end up being softer on the teeth.

Thanks for the insight, everyone....   Too many negatives with the can-o-slime so I've decided to look for a Porsche 9-series, 16" space saver spare.  The spare I've had for 17 years was a "universal" spare from a full-size Cadillac (3 years had 16" space saver rims with a combination of Chevy and 5X130 bolt patterns, meaning that there are ten holes in the wheel center - not especially cool).  Already got the word out to salvage yards and at Unobtainium.  Maybe I'll end up with a spare wheel looking like Marty's 

I have the original 944 Turbo Spare used to make the CNC copies.   If anyone is interesrted ? Let me know.  I was planning on advertising it on the Samba or Fleabay soon.  

Gordo,

I've got a Boxster spare thats about 4 1/2 inches deep and fits great in my frunk. Correct 5x130mm bolt pattern and was about $120 shipped with a fancy cover with a storage area for tools etc.  

Where'd you get it, Frank?  PM me.