Okay, so I get into this discussion fairly often on this subreddit, so I thought I would make a post explaining the few advantages/many disadvantages of Fix-A-Flat and similar products.
Before we get started, I find it necessary to state that I am both a former Goodyear employee and Big O Tires employee. I'm not sure how I can verify this, but here is an old paystub with my username on it.
As an employee of these companies, I encountered tires that had been introduced to Fix-A-Flat numerous times, and each time I had to explain to my customer that the tire was ruined and needed to be replaced. I also was not your typical corporate mechanic in that I didn't try to upsell a full set of tires for some bullshit reason, nor did I try selling him anything else he didn't need, and if the tires were not purchased at my store or I couldn't get a matching tire for the customer, I would send them somewhere they could get a match, be it Les Schwab, Discount Tire, etc. My honesty was something that I never gave up in my employment with these establishments.
The advantages of Fix-A-Flat are that it comes in handy in a pinch and it's convenient. A product that can fix a small puncture AND reinflate your tire? Fantastic.
There are many situations in which this could save much time and diffuse frustration. That is about all the good I have to say about this product, other than it is a great idea, but it certainly has not been perfected yet.
The disadvantages of this product, however, are many. What Fix-A-Flat is is a water-based chemical solution that breaks down and melts the rubber in a tire so that the puncture sort of melts itself together to create a patch. This would be a perfectly fine fix if the compound targeted solely the puncture, but that is not the case. Fix-A-Flat will roll around in your tire and sometimes never escape it. Because of this, it comes in contact with the entire inner lining of the tire, which in turn breaks down the rubber and weakens the tire.
Possibly the worst aspect of this issue is that it weakens the sidewall, which is one of the most crucial parts of the tire. If you have experience working with tires, or even a bad puncture experience, you know that most shops will not repair a tire if there is a puncture on the sidewall or on the shoulder of the tire.
This is because when you drive, your tires flex and bend, and there has yet to be made a patch or plug that can contour with all of that movement and retain a seal. Sidewalls on most tires, unless specifically noted, don't have much reinforcement so they need all they can get.
Another disadvantage of Fix-A-Flat is that since it is a water-based product, it can cause your wheel to rust. Again, once you put the product into the tire, it never escapes unless you break the tire off the rim and clean it out, then putting it back on, which some shops will do very hesitantly. Not only does it cause a terrible mess, but it jeopardizes the integrity of the tire. Sometimes the only way you can get a shop to do this for you is if you express that you understand the concerns and have them notate that you were advised of the risks on the work order, which both you and the store then have a copy of (example: Customer was notified of the dangers of this product; requested work be performed anyway).
One more issue with this product is that since it just rolls around in the tire with no real rhyme or reason to it, it can wear down a tire more in some parts, and not so much in others, causing the tire to be heavier/thicker in some areas and lighter/thinner than others. This results in making the tire very difficult and sometimes impossible to rebalance.
Now if you go and look for reviews of this product, of course you will find some people who have never experienced problems with it at all. Most of the time, however, they do all the work themselves and never have to rely on a mechanic or tire shop to do the work for them. Since not everyone has a tire machine and balancer in their garage, I believe it is necessary that everyone should be aware of these potential risks of using Fix-A-Flat. And just to be clear, I don't work for some company hell bent on creating a smear campaign against Fix-A-Flat, I'm just an honest guy attempting to share his firsthand knowledge and experience with this product to potentially save people from a very expensive bill in the future.
Feel free to ask me any questions and I will answer them to the best of my ability.
TL;DR - Fix-A-Flat ruins your tires.
Flat feet in adults can be congenital. Some people have been seen by an orthopedist since childhood. But the problem can appear over the years. How to treat flat feet in adults and can it be corrected at all? We asked these and other questions to Dmitry Aleksandrovich Shobogorov, a traumatologist-orthopedist of Expert Clinic Irkutsk.
- Dmitry Alexandrovich, what is flat feet? What is the essence of the problem?
— Flat feet is a deformity of the foot. It is of two types: transverse and longitudinal. With longitudinal flat feet, the inside of the foot begins to drop and even touch the floor. Other people from the outside may notice this, i.e., it is clear that the foot is flattened. Not everyone can already see transverse flat feet. It, as a rule, becomes noticeable only with secondary signs, when hallux valgus deformity of the first finger occurs.
This is the so-called growing bump on the joint and the curvature of the first finger (it starts to stick out to the side).
The internal longitudinal arch and the transverse arch form an arched foot structure that provides shock absorption when running and walking. With the help of such a structure, the foot moves smoothly: it moves to a walk, a step, a run, and the joints are not injured. Therefore, when flat feet are formed, traumatization of the joints can increase. The biomechanics of walking, the work of the muscles of the lower leg and foot are disturbed.
The evolution of the foot is not designed to constantly walk on a hard, flat surface. Today, many houses have parquet, concrete, asphalt on the street, that is, a flat hard surface everywhere. And the foot, accustomed for thousands of years to walking on sand, earth, stones, constantly adapting to some changes, now adapts to a flat surface, spreading itself on it. In addition, in recent centuries, lifestyles have changed: people have become less mobile, including in the workplace; shoes with high heels began to be produced; work has appeared that can chronically injure the foot.
— How common is flat feet in adults?
— As a rule, out of four people who come to see me, three have flat feet of varying severity. I see feet almost every day, I check them for flat feet, I make individual orthopedic insoles myself, and I probably meet the ideal foot, with which nothing needs to be done in terms of orthopedics, probably once a month.
— What are the causes of flat feet in adults?
- Flat feet, which can be traced from childhood, is usually congenital and can be transmitted from parents, grandparents. There are people who have been seen by an orthopedist since childhood, are being treated, and this problem is “growing up” with them.
Standing work can lead to flat feet in adulthood, for example. Teachers, salespeople, by virtue of their profession, stand on their feet for many hours a day for decades, and the foot begins to deform, flatten.
Another reason is hormonal changes in women (flat feet, as a rule, are more common in them).
This is, firstly, the stage of growing up, then pregnancy, childbirth. Some women become pregnant and give birth several times during their lives. In this case, in particular, the restructuring of the connective tissue occurs. That is, the body prepares for childbirth, then returns, so to speak, to its previous state, and then again prepares for childbirth. The connective tissue begins to change: it stretches, then becomes strong again. At the same moment, changes in the foot are also included. It also affects the work of the muscles.
The third reason is fractures and other injuries of the foot, heel or bones in the ankle joint. They can also lead to flat feet.
— How to recognize flat feet in adults? What are the signs that indicate a problem?
— Signs of flat feet in an adult are fatigue of the legs, swelling in the legs, nagging pain in the feet, varicose veins in the lower extremities, valgus deformity of the lower extremity, i.e. legs, knees seem to be reduced inward.
In addition, the foot itself is folded inward, i.e., it is clear that the person, as it were, walks on the inside of the foot. Because of this, shoes can be erased (the heel or heel on the inside, or the place under the first toe), or the insole that is in the shoe can be pressed through.
— Dmitry Aleksandrovich, how is flatfoot diagnosed?
— The first is the inspection. A person is examined from the front and back, assessed as he stands. Check the mobility in the fingers, in the small joints of the foot. In parallel, they find out what could be the cause of flat feet, foot deformities. For example, during examination, it is possible to identify stiffness (stiffness) of the joint, the consequences of an injury. Examine the footprint (that part of the foot that touches the surface) on a plantoscope. With the help of plantography, the pressure force of the foot on the surface is measured.
X-rays can be taken with or without load. So check, in particular, the spring function of the foot.
— What are the ways to treat this pathology? Is it possible to cure flat feet in adults?
— There are several methods of treatment and it is recommended to use them in combination. The first is orthopedic insoles. It is desirable, of course, individual, selected taking into account changes in the left and right foot.
The second is manual therapy. It will allow you to tone certain muscles, remove the increased tone (hypertonicity) from the muscles that take on part of the load. That is, such treatment will help normalize the function of muscles, ligaments, tendons.
The third point is physical therapy. There is a certain set of exercises in which the muscles and tendons responsible for the arches of the foot are involved. These muscles and tendons need to be exercised daily.
If there is excess weight, it must be reduced in order to reduce the load on the feet. If flat feet are associated with standing work, you should try to pause.
The teacher, for example, during the break can do those exercises that are necessary to stimulate the tone of the muscles and tendons responsible for the arches of the foot.
If you follow all the recommendations, then you can cure flat feet, but this is not easy.
— Are folk remedies used to treat flat feet in adults? If so, which ones?
- As a rule, this is walking on pebbles, shifting pencils, felt-tip pens with your toes, walking on tiptoe and in single file. However, I don’t even know if this can be attributed to folk remedies or not. These are all exercises that were performed back in Soviet times in kindergartens and schools. If you mean putting burdock or cabbage leaves on the feet, then no, it is not done. Flat feet are not treated with such means.
— What is the danger of flat feet in adults? What are the consequences if it is not treated?
— This may be chronic venous insufficiency (varicose veins), swelling in the legs.
Pain, cramps, deformity of the forefoot, when the toes begin to bend, may be disturbing. The first finger (thumb) begins to lead away, calluses appear on the feet (the so-called corns). Sometimes it happens that people go to the pedicure master for a long time or try to somehow steam them out, cut out these corns, or go to the dermatologist, thinking that it is a wart. But in fact, this is simply a compensatory corn in the place where it should not be. And you just need to go to the orthopedist.
When the foot spreads, the person's height may also decrease. In addition, the likelihood of injury increases: the sensitivity of the fingers decreases, the legs twist when walking, and you can get not only sprains and sprains, but also fractures.
- Dmitry Alexandrovich, tell us what needs to be done so that this ailment bypasses a person?
- There are a number of exercises you can do. It is useful to walk on the heels, on the outside of the feet, in single file on toes, to collect stones, pencils or felt-tip pens from the floor with your toes, to roll a hard ball with your feet (as an element of self-massage).
It is also important to choose the right footwear. You should try to wear shoes with high heels and flats less often (ballet flats, moccasins, etc.). It is recommended to wear shoes so that the heel and toe are different in height. The heel area should be three to four centimeters (up to five) higher than the toe.
If you constantly go to a pedicurist with some problem (often a nail comes off or turns blue, your finger hurts, your legs get tired), contact an orthopedist. Perhaps the reason is not that you wear uncomfortable shoes, but flat feet.
You can make an appointment with a traumatologist-orthopedist at the Expert Clinic, Irkutsk here
Chondroplasty of the knee joint: who will it help?
For information:
Shobogorov Dmitry Alexandrovich
In 2011 he graduated from the Irkutsk State Medical University, and in 2013 he graduated from the Irkutsk State Medical University, and in 2013 - residency in trauma and orthopedics
He performs all types of arthroscopic operations, treats arthrosis of large joints of the upper and lower extremities, performs corrective osteotomy for deformities of the feet and lower extremities.
Currently, he is a traumatologist-orthopedist at the Expert Clinic, Irkutsk. Accepts at: st. Kozhova, 9 A.
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Representatives of Mail.Ru Group, Aviasales, Sports.ru and other companies explain.
143 908 views
First of all, you need to get rid of toxic employees. Because such people influence not only the results of their work, but also poison the atmosphere in the team.
Toxic - pessimists who do not believe in the success of the project as a whole or are skeptical of project management and criticize its decisions behind their backs.
The worst thing is when former stars who are demotivated for some reason become toxic, because their opinion is respected in the team.
The fight against such decay is awareness. It is very important to ensure that all team members fully understand the strategy of the project, their role in it and the motives for making certain decisions. This is probably important everywhere, but in Internet projects it is critical, it is important for people to see how they are changing the world.
After toxic employees come with no results. These are people who are not able to complete any significant project or even part of it. At the same time, they can be very intelligent or even be known as experts in some field.
But trying to get them to launch even part of the project by a certain date ends in failure at different stages: sometimes people are not able to plan (“How can you subscribe to a certain date? After all, anything can happen!”), sometimes they are not able to later to achieve a result, they are always prevented by force majeure circumstances.
One of the signs of such an employee is that you usually find out that the deadline is not met, exactly at the very moment when it comes. Well, or in a couple of days - if you ask. If this has happened more than three times, don't expect it to be different on the fourth.
Anna Artamonova, Vice President of Mail.Ru Group
We have three types of people who are not on the way with the company:
Lying. It is clear here: lying is an absolute contraindication against any working relationship.
Non-executive. He said that he would do it, and didn’t do it (and didn’t agree on it) - he framed his colleagues and management. If it is systematic, then nothing good will come of it.
Toxic. This item is more subjective than the first two, but when flowers wither from communication with an employee or he pulls a blanket over himself to the detriment of others (sticks out his importance, plays politics against other people), it is more useful for culture in a team for a person to look for yourself somewhere else.
The rest - according to the circumstances.
Max Krainov, head of the service for finding cheap air tickets Aviasales
"Negatives" who see the negative in everything and spread it around them. They are like poison to the company. Slowly but surely they poison the environment and undermine the motivation of people in the organization.
Alexey Zaretsky, General Director of the online travel agency Travelata.ru
We at Sports.ru and Betting Insider are trying to develop, remaining as “flat” and democratic as possible. Daily control, micromanagement, piles of memos and reports - this is not about us.
Accordingly, we traditionally do not take root in people who have problems with self-motivation, independence, and the ability to complete what they started. Accordingly, it is rather difficult for us with people who are not interested in their profession outside of work.
If you are not driven by the desire to improve your knowledge and professional skills, set tomorrow's goals slightly higher than yesterday's; if all this requires control or, God forbid, coercion from above - alas, we will not help each other.
Dmitry Navosha, founder and CEO of Sports.ru
There are two types of worst employees. First: emulating vigorous activity. The harm is that not only do they do nothing, they involve really useful colleagues in their orbit, distracting them from work. These people know how to report well, speak the right words to management and show in every possible way that they are doing their job.
The second type is lovers of intrigue, gossip, undercover fighting. People who do not know how to live without an enemy and are constantly in search of those whom they will hate and survive from the team. The second ones are the most dangerous, they can destroy the team. You need to get rid of them first.
Alexander Laryanovsky, Managing Partner of Skyeng
Online English School
First of all, it is worth getting rid of those who step on the same rake three times. If we are talking about modern high-tech companies, then we need to get rid of those employees who do not enjoy their work. They themselves sit in vain pants and have a bad influence on others.
Alexey Zakharov, founder and president of Superjob.ru recruiting service
First, I will touch on issues of personal preference. Now I am by no means talking about any intimate stories at work, I'm more about general human acceptance of each other. The working biochemistry between an employee and a manager is a very important thing, thanks to which you can both rise to the top and quickly find yourself out of work.
There is nowhere to go - we like some people more, others less, and such a "matter of taste" influences our decision making more than we think.
This is why employers often get rid of people they simply don't like for some reason. Although this will never become the official reason for dismissal (but everyone around usually guesses so). And of course, it cannot be said that here we are talking about a single type or that employees are somehow worse than others. It just happens.
But if we talk about the purely qualifying qualities of employees, then since most companies are now in a state of constant optimization, they get rid of inefficient people. If earlier many could afford to keep a low-performing employee due, for example, to a sense of loyalty (the person is good and has been working in the company for many years), now this is not the case.
Low KPIs, unwillingness to develop, learn, inability to be flexible - this is a portrait of a person whose type can be described as “worst of all”, which the company will get rid of in the first place. And this applies not only to performing positions. Managers who only know how to manage, but do not understand the processes in the line and do not know how to work with their hands, will be forced out by other "playing" leaders.
