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View Full Version : Can anything be done about a slow leaky tire?

SzczerbiakManiac
04-28-2009, 09:25 AM
One of the tires on my car has a slow leak and I need to add air about every 10 days. Is there something cheap I can do to fix it or am I gonna have to get new tires? I've heard there is some kind of aerosol you can squirt into the tire that coats the inside and effectively plugs the leak, but I don't know if they really work or if there are other issues associated with them.
DreadPirateRoberts
04-28-2009, 09:27 AM
The stop leak stuff is a temporary patch, at best. Fix it right, take it to a place like discount tire. Normally they will find the problem (most likely a nail or a screw) and repair for about $15.
Betty
04-28-2009, 09:27 AM
We've got the can of fixleak. I had a nail in my tire. It did not work for that. Maybe it will work for your slow leak?
BarTopDancer
04-28-2009, 09:30 AM
I second taking it to a tire place like America's Best or Discount Tire and have them find and fix the leak. Much cheaper than new tires.
Kevy Baby
04-28-2009, 10:00 AM
DO NOT USE FIX A FLAT. Those should only be used in emergencies.

Though unlikely, it MAY be a leaky valve stem. Rare, but it does happen.

Take it to a tire place. They can probably find the leak fairly easily and patch it or plug it (though a patch is better, they usually charge more for it).

Don't keep driving on it - you will prematurely wear the tire.
SzczerbiakManiac
04-28-2009, 10:47 AM
Oi, taking it to a tire place is something I was hoping to avoid. They take forever and are expensive.

But I genuinely appreciate the advice, thank you!
BarTopDancer
04-28-2009, 10:50 AM
If you go to Discount Tire or America's Best it shouldn't be more than $30 or so and take about a half hour. I think when I got my tire patched it was $15 or $20, but I can't remember.
DreadPirateRoberts
04-28-2009, 10:53 AM
If you go to Discount Tire or America's Best it shouldn't be more than $30 or so and take about a half hour. I think when I got my tire patched it was $15 or $20, but I can't remember.

I agree with BTD, it was quick, easy, and cheap. Didn't cost much more than a couple of cans of fix-a-flat.
madmonkeygirl
04-28-2009, 10:56 AM
I had a slow leak in my tire awhile back due to a screw stuck in the tire. Took it to my garage and they didn't even charge me for the repair (patch job) well that held for awhile then it slowly leaked yet again. So i basically said forget this repairing it just replace it and ended up replacing the tire for PEACE of MIND. Period.