Quote:
Originally Posted by Blue 4ever Runner
No direct experience but I've heard that the fix a flat stuff can damage TPS sensors. Dunno if that's a fact but figured I'd put it out there.
|
I have seen excessive use of fix-a-flat products cause issues with sensors, mainly because it'll clog up the ports the sensor uses to measure pressure; in some rare cases the sensor may have a crack (minor enough it didn't kill the sensor outright) in it from someone not properly changing a tire and the goop seeps in and ruins the sensor. Though Toyota does include these types of products on a lot of the new hybrids because they don't have a spare... so do it at your own risk? I personally am not a fan of fix-a-flat, such a pain to clean out...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Something_Awesome
Thanks for the replies. Saw the repair process. It looks super easy so long as you remember to inflate the tire before plugging it. I ended up going with the tire repair kit. I wanted the kit to come with its own dedicated tools rather than use any of what I already had on hand, like pliers. The only thing I can tell that the kit is missing is a hex key/wrench. But I have many of those. I realized after looking at the kit that a hex key is needed just in case I ever need to adjust the plugging tool.
The other nice thing is that I do not think I'll ever need the jack as well now. But I'll keep it in the vehicle.
I think 4Runner's full-sized spares with the steel wheels are 70 pounds? Removing this thing will make a noticeable difference on a vehicle with as much (little) power that a 4Runner has. Looking forward to the MPG savings as well.
|
I doubt the factory spare is 70lbs with a factory sized tire. The steel rims are fairly light and about the same weight as an aluminum wheel, the actual factory sized rubber is fairly light too. You're probably looking at something more like 40-ish lbs for a stock wheel and tire. Now if you're like me and you're running 35's on 17x9's then you're looking at 105lbs a wheel/tire...
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bassturd
I got a $20 Amazon special with metal handles works greet. I run a spare just to be safe. I’ve plugged some big holes to get home!
|
Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to get home... I do hope that you changed that thing out as soon as possible though; I have had some customers who run those types of repairs for years. It genuinely worries me when I see that, not because it will always blow out; but because my brain is already calculating the adjustment of risk and protentional of failure. lol
~
I would get a quality plug kit to have and maintain a good condition/over-inflated spare tire; what I mean by that is, don't rely on your 10yr old stock spare tire (I mean you can... but you really should replace a tire after 7yrs due to drying/hardening of the rubber compounds...). I also tend to inflate them to their maximum specified pressure when not in use, for most P-rated tires that's about 44psi. Tires will bleed pressure over time, particularly spare tires that aren't regularly used, I would rather have a spare tire that's over-inflated and I can air down to what I need, than one that is already flat when I need it. At least that's my thinking.
Post Note-
I need to buy a plug kit myself and restructure my "truck bag" now that I think about it. >_<