A video making the rounds of the web shows a man apparently fixing a flat tire by spraying it with a can of starter fluid and setting it alight with a lighter. Hoax? Cola-plus-mentos-style mind-blowing miracle of science? DRIVEN investigates after the jump.

First the video:Flickr Video

As you can see, it sure looks like that guy’s got a flat. He’s got his off-road vehicle hoisted up on a crank, and applies fire, and presto! The tire inflates itself (presumably from the heat), and after the video ends, the driver vrooms onto the highway with his tire presumably sealed and drives the 150 kilometers back to civilization.

What’s actually happening, according to our resident expert in off-road racing, is that he’s setting the bead. Off-roaders often deflate their tires for better traction, and the lower pressure can cause the tire to slip off. It’s very difficult to re-set the tire, because what holds it in place is the air pressure. So you can seal the bead with the nifty starter fluid trick — though we’re warned that, although it looks ready to go, it still needs to be inflated. (Off-roaders often purchase an on-board air compressor for just this purpose.)

So, to recap: If you’ve punctured a tire, do not believe the internet. Do not try to light it on fire. If your tires are feeling a little light on pressure, applying flame probably isn’t a good idea either.

The moral? Burning rubber does not actually help you burn rubber.