Originally Posted By: Raspy
CAUTION: If you ever use fix a flat. When you have the tire change Please, Please tell the tire changer that you have used it. The air up component is flamable. If you tell him then if it goes bang you won't be responsable. There have been injuries and even death from the blasts that have happened from them. In fact do it if you use any aerosol inflation product.


Decades ago there were stories of Fix-a-flat causing injuries when the mechanic dismounted the fluid/gas-filled tire while smoking or near a source of flame. Evidently the stuff used was highly flammable. I was never quite sure of the real relative risk but after a time I noticed that the cans of Fix-a-flat started to come with stickers to affix to the tire and warn the mechanic.

The last can of this stuff I used had no such stickers or warnings so I suspect that they reformulated it to make it less a hazard.

I recently used a can and was careful to tell the tire mechanic that I had used the Fix-a-flat. He gave me a quizzical look. I told him of the potential fire hazard. He was glad to know it but politely informed me that nobody in the shop was allowed to smoke.

Makes me think that if an experienced tire mechanic didn't immediately know about it or consider it a clear hazard maybe it isn't quite the issue it used to be. By any means, as far as I could tell, there were no explosions or guys running around on fire so well enough I guess.