As most of you know the crossfire comes with a tire service kit instead of a spare tire. I was wondering about the tire sealant in this kit. I have heard rumors about tire puncture sealants that you insert through the valve stem such as the brand fix-a-flat that it is bad and can damage the valve stem or rim or just make a mess inside the tire. I have also heard that is just a temporary fix and at the first chance you should have tire taken off and clean out the gunk. Just wondering your thoughts on this and if anyone has actually used the service it yet.

 

The Peugeot 206cc which I traded on the Crossfire, had the same system, (2 cans of tyre sealant). Although I never had to use it, it is recommended that it is only a "get home" fix, and then have the tyre removed and replaced, and also the inside of the rim cleaned.
I expect the Crossfire is the same.

 

Invest in a good tire plug kit and a good pair of needle nose pliers and put them in your trunk. The tire sealant will damage the TPMS unit in the tires.

 

Fix-a-flat and other tire sealants just make a mess and really don't fix the problem. Its kinda funny, the person with the flat is happy to use the stuff, while the tire tech that takes the tire off is cursing that person for using it (I did it in my day). As for leaving that stuff in your tire, my understanding is that it breaks down the inner layer of rubber and makes it soft. If you ever feel the inside when a tire is removed with that stuff in it, it feel soft and pliable.

It is highly recommended that you get that stuff out of your tires as soon as possible tho. I know that it will cause vibrations being that the stuff will make a wheel unbalance able. When I was a tire tech, I would laugh at people that would come in to get wheels balanced with fix-a-flat in a tire. I would have to show the customer that every time I spent the wheel on the balance, it would come a different number because of the liquid inside moving around after every spin.

After saying all that, the short version...

The stuff will get you home, but pretty much make your best effort to get out of your tire as soon as possible.

 

I've had a flat and the stuff is simple enough to use although it cost $50 clams a can, plus removing the puncture, sealing the tire, and cleaning the gunk out. It will cost you near $100 dollars a flat. Considering a rollback would have cost me $17 dollars more. I wish I had just towed the darn thing to my dealer instead and will in the future.