Omitting the spare and carrying tire inflator? (Page 1/3)
Kitskaboodle APR 17, 11:24 PM
Just curious how many Fiero owners have opted to simply carry Slime / Fix-A-Flat, etc instead of carrying their spare? (or maybe you carry both but use the spare onlyas a crush zone for front end accidents?)

Thankfully, in all the years I have been driving Fiero’s I have never had a flat. (2004) And if I did, I would have been forced to put the flat tire onto my passenger side seat since I have always ran 17X7’s.

And before you ask, I’m well aware of issues that sealant cause with tire sensors, wheel corrosion, messy to clean up, tire shops giving you hell, etc. Although, some of them do claim they are water soluble and wash off.
But hey, when your miles from home it’s a lifesaver.

With all that said, have you gone the Slime / Fix-A-Flat route on your Fiero?
Kit
Spadesluck APR 18, 12:14 AM
I have bigger brakes and did not want to fool with getting a different spare to fit. I have a can of fix-a-flat instead. I also have proper insurance to cover something more serious than a can if need be. I fortunately have not had to use either. Drove from New Mexico to Pennsylvania and back in 2019 no problems. Albeit brand new tires though. I have owned a few newer cars that do not have spare tires from the factory so I am not overly concerned about it anymore.
theogre APR 18, 10:59 AM
Most only works w/ small to very small holes in the tread zone. Don't remove screws etc before using them or often can't find a leak to fix later. If you must remove, mark sidewall showing where is was.

Bigger problem to many is Fix-A-Flat and most other brands are useless in cold weather.
● Most can freeze in the "can" but exact Temp of that depends on formula.
● Any aerosols can freeze in the tube during use in cold temp and weather above 32°F/0°C because propellant expanse and cools more.

This is partly why some car makers have non-aerosol "cans" and compressor. Compress Air pushes out the chemicals then fill the tire.

I get most tires thru NTB for years w/ warranty and have used "Fix-A-Flat" a few times and never had problems there. Is cheaper for them to repair if possible to not replace a tire.

⚠️ Warning:
Many "Fix-A-Flat" aerosols are still Flammable and Tire can Explode working on these tire after. So RTFL
..."Air" release when valve is pulled
...Tire still have some propellant after valve is pulled
People, tire machine etc can spark causing "Boom."
That is why many shops hate you for using them w/o telling the shop.

Why/When? This started at "Save the Ozone" time because most aerosols switch from CFC to Propane Butane etc for propellants. You have a mix of air and Propane etc in a tire and if not stoic now, easily to reach stoic mix when working on them.

Note: Repairs have rules even w/o "Fix-A-Flat." In Very Short, Holes can't be near the side walls because patches and plugs need flat tread area to work or uses the steel belting to hold. Steel belts are weaker at the sides.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

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2.5 APR 18, 12:10 PM
I am concerned about a little bit but I haven't been running a spare in my GT or an inflator although usually I have another Fiero that my wife drives when we go to events, ie...longer trips, that car has a stock spare. This particular car has a battery up front and amp up front so no spare until I decide if I want to move the amp. On top of that my front tires are smaller than my rears...
Been this way 5 years.
I should probly move the amp and put a spare up there I suppose.

[This message has been edited by 2.5 (edited 04-18-2021).]

fieroguru APR 18, 12:43 PM
I haven't ran a spare in my Fieros in 20 years and probably logged about 200K miles w/o one.
I carry a can of fix-a-flat, plug kit, and a tiny air compressor. With 13" brake kit and tires that no local tire shop would stock, if these items won't let me keep driving, then it gets put on a flat bed.

Several years back I put together a small tool kit that fits within the Pontiac Accessory Bag. It includes everything in the picture and I have circled the compressor and the plug kit.
https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/097633.html
2.5 APR 18, 02:26 PM
Related, whats a reliable recommended small 12v compressor?
theogre APR 18, 04:49 PM

quote
Originally posted by 2.5:
Related, whats a reliable recommended small 12v compressor?

Very cheap ones work but often hose fails as compressor end because of heat.
Small ones w/ fins exposed on the compressor to cool down are better. cost ~ $50 to $80
Quick Example: https://www.harborfreight.c...ompressor-63184.html
They will usually fill a normal size tire for car and smaller trucks from total flat w/o overheat killing power until cool again.

If have Ryobi etc 18/20V battery tools... try Inflators and Inflator/Deflator Tools.
Quick examples:
https://www.homedepot.com/p...-Only-P747/308746324
https://www.homedepot.com/p...Only-P737D/307627867

Can use them on long trips but don't leave them in a car forever. Batteries do not last long if getting too hot or cold in storage.
I have a older version of Ryobi Inflator/Deflator because way easier then dragging a small 120vac compressor or just long hose outside then wind up after. Works quite fast to top up 4 tires.
Best battery size is 4 - 5 Ahr. Smaller battery ~ 2Ahr works if just to top up a low tire or 4.
Note: Any tool that can run a long time can hate small batteries. Weed trimmers and "leaf" blowers can drain small batteries "dry" fast and kill them. W/ bigger batteries still don't run until battery shuts off.
theogre APR 18, 05:39 PM
Forgot 1 important rule for tire repair...

If you drive on a flat tire...
Very low to total flat then you're F'ed and no-one should help you except to sell a new tire.

Why?
Very low and side walls will have damage. Often even nubes can see damage because outer side will "hit the ground" while turning.
Drive on total flat even a mile often grinds up the rubber inside of tire.

So Even if you "fix" the hole... Death of that tire has already happen and your driving a Time Bomb that can Blow Out Without Warning at Highway Speeds.
That is why Most shops won't fix a lot of flats because doesn't what a lawsuit.

Related Note:
Is a big reason why Ford and Bridgestone fought over tire failure cause SUV rollovers...
Ford reduce Cold Inflation for "safety" and "handling" reasons so now call for ~ 28psi.
If people follow that... very hard Not to be way lower in hours in some places just for Weather changes.
But Bridgestone got totally slammed by Ford and MSM.
IOW Tires may have issues but most cases says Ford makes whatever problems far worse because most owners have No Clue new inflation give 0 "wiggle room" for low tires.
When you see tread separation and/or sidewall blowouts, 90+% of time is from Low inflation making them Flex way more then designed.
Dennis LaGrua APR 19, 09:57 PM
In case of a flat tire, I prefer using the Fiero spare, but the truth is that I haven't had a flat tire in years except for one on my property where my tire got ripped apart going over a sharp rock. Flats can happen but one in 20 years isn't a real inconvenience. My son has "run flat" tires on his BMW and perhaps that is the answer to having more trunk space.
There is a highly advertised battery powered tire inflator called the Air Hawk but might be worth checking out but after reading tests on these small compressors the Harbor Freight Pittsburg unit inflates a tire to 35 PSI in about 5 minutes followed by the CJK and the Hyper Tough.

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" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, custom ZZP /Frozen Boost Intercooler setup, 3.4" Pulley, Northstar TB, LS1 MAF, 3" Spintech/Hedman Exhaust, P-log Manifold, Autolite 104's, MSD wires, Custom CAI, 4T65eHD w. custom axles, Champion Radiator, S10 Brake Booster, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
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87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

[This message has been edited by Dennis LaGrua (edited 04-19-2021).]

2.5 APR 20, 11:37 AM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:


Batteries do not last long if getting too hot or cold in storage.



Yes, Id only be interested in wired ones that can plug to cig lighter or 12v, not battery operated. I have one old one, but its kind of large and could fail any day.