Tires: Fix a Flat, road hazard warranty, tire shops

Question
QUESTION: I purchased 4 brand new Michelin 80M tires at my local membership warehouse (Sep 2007) and had two flats with them (Dec 2007 and March 2008)- used Fix a Flat both times.  This most recent flat, they dismounted the tire, saw the fix a flat I had already told them I used and then proclaimed that because I used Fix a Flat, the tire could not be repaired.

How is repairability determined when Fix a Flat is used?  I am not too happy that I was FORCED to purchase a 5th tire for my 4 legged vehicle.


ANSWER: Yes this is correct, due to the gases from the fix-a-flat.  Those gases will eat the tire and make it weak.  
Also, even after it is cleaned, a patch will not hold.

John


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer John.  

Yes this is correct, due to the gases from the fix-a-flat.  Those gases will eat the tire and make it weak.  
Also, even after it is cleaned, a patch will not hold.

John

Wouldn't a test be necessary to determine if the tire was weak from the use of FAF?  Shouldn't the tire center have at least attempted to patch the tire, instead of just declaring that the use of FAF made the tire un-repairable?


ANSWER: Yes that is correct, and no to the rest.

A lot of tire shops and clubs, have a policy on fix a flat of no repairs.

Just like if you use armor all on your tire.  It voids the warranty.

Just there is no safe way to repair a tire when fix a flat is repair.

It will prevent a patch from holding and if you get one to hold, cause it to loosen and fall off, which will cause a blow out.

This is why I hate this product and why I tell everyone to change the tire and bring it in for repair.

Sorry,
John



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I'm wondering why the tire center would remove my tire after I told them that I had used FAF to inflate it and then tell me that it was unrepairable.  The contract for the road hazard warranty recommends caution when using fix a flat - it does not stipulate that the warranty is voided when FAF is used.  It doesn't even mention Armour All.

Do you have any scientific data to back up your claim that the active ingredients in FAF destroy the tire and will not allow a patch to adhere?

Answer
I can not say why people do things.  So I can not answer why they did what they did.

I know this from years in the business.

As for facts, read the tire warranty, not the road hazard.  It will say that chemicals void the tire.
So that is a paper fact for you.

John