Can you change a flat tire?

[Lizardman]

Last friday, I changed about 6 on my one car. On the to work in the morning I hit a pot hole. It ended up blowing out the sidewall on my rear passenger's side tire. The front passenger's wheel got a dent in it so the tire would not hold air. I did not realize this till after I put the donut on the rear wheel. I ended up getting my wife to come and pick me up. Not a very fun day. When I got the car back to my house I put on my set of winter tires, so I have some time to figure out how to fix the dented wheel.

For reference my tires are 225/45-18 and 245/45-18.

 

[TwiceOver]

I've never had a flat tire, but learned how to change one in Driving School about 15 years ago. I'm sure the concept is still the same.

 

[rbV5]

I've had to dig the gravel shoulder out because I had no jack, but I had a lug wrench and a spare. I'm a country boy that grew up on a farm, I can do stuff

 

[insect9]

I've changed several tires. In fact, the car I have now hasn't seen the inside of a shop since I've owned it (8 years now) Edit: Unless I'm getting new tires.

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
i plug my own tires when they get nails/screws in them

same

 

[Brovane]

I have gotten several flat tires unfortunately. The only time I call for AAA is when I am on a freeway and I cannot get pulled over to the side far enough for me to change the flat tire in a safe manner.

FYI - Make sure that when you check the air pressure in your tires you also check the spare.

 

[ViviTheMage]

No one would admit that they've never changed a flat tire, or can't!

But it's really easy.

 

[TheVrolok]

Yes, I can.

 

[lokiju]

I'm a dude and have changed flat tires on a number of occasions over the years.

It's not rocket science.

 

[sdifox]

I am impressed by the MB emergency kit. The jack is easy to use and you can stomp on the wrench without braking it.

 

[meltdown75]

you're the man now, dawg

 

[secretanchitman]

yep...i always keep a set of car tools in my car. even went flat on me in the garage, and i managed to get a new tire on in around 20-30 minutes. no problems.

 

[K1052]

yes and the skill is a relative rarity for my kind

 

[JDub02]

changed on the highway - yep
changed in the woods when i ripped a sidewall on rock - yep
changed my own oil - yep

i normally leave the more invasive stuff to a mechanic since i typically don't have all of the tools necessary, but i've done simple engine work before - changed out a cam and timing chain and installed a new intake and carb. i refuse to mess with transmissions.

 

[middlehead]

Originally posted by: spidey07
I know my way around a car, but I'm no mechanic. That I demand to see the owners manual on where the jack points are to assist another motorist only confirms this. Sure you can generally figure it out, but I'd rather RTFM.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

never had to do it. the one time it was seriously flat we called AAA because we were at home anyway and it was the car that wasn't driven often.

the other time i had one, i filled up air the night before, got some more air the next morning (about 5-6psi differential), drove it off to America's Tire Co. and got them patched up part of their warranty.

bottom line is i've never had a flat serious enough to kill me on the road yet. I glance at my tires in the morning and usually you can tell the difference between 20 and 30 psi in about a second. i've had a nail in my tire for a long time too where it was in so tight barely any air escaped. the only way i found out was through tire rotation. then again it could've gotten in there right before i drove into the shop, but they said it was pretty snug in there i usually check my tire pressure regularly so i'm surprised I didn't catch it.

 

[Leros]

I can change a tire. I've done it a few times.

I can fix basic things if I have directions.

I do pay for somebody to change my oil for the convenience.

 

[Gothgar]

I have done it a few times.... I would bet some people lied on the poll

 

[Demo24]

Never had a flat on my car, but I rotate my tires so I'd say I can do the job fairly easily.


Also do my oil and basic maintenance. Too much of a pain to get to the dealer from where I am and most shops around here work on other stuff.

 

[lxskllr]

I had to rotate my tires in a snow storm once. I was going to work, and sliding all over the road. My rear tires didn't have much tread, but my front ones did. I pulled into a park and ride, and rotated my tires using the spare as a temporary placeholder. It was a 1 ton van, so I had 8 lug nuts per wheel... 32 times I had to loosen. then tighten them, not including the couple for the spare each time I jacked it up. That just about kicked my ass when I was finished. I got into work, and it was snowing too hard to go out, so I drove the 15 miles back home :^D

 

[amdhunter]

Changed quite a few tires over the years.

 

[imported_Lothar]

No, and No.
I'm a guy who's father died at the age of 12, so because of that I know absolutely nothing about cars.

That's what AAA is for. Just call and they'll be there in 15-30mins max while I stay warm and comfortable in my car listening to NPR or C-Span Radio.

I can build a computer myself so I imagine changing the tire and oil on a car should be easier(most people I know say it is!). It's just that I've never tried it.

 

[HannibalX]

Who can't change a tire? Probably the same people who as a child didn't understand why their square block wouldn't fit in the round hole.

 

[Sumguy]

I know how to change a flat, but thankfully I've yet had to actually do it.

 

[Linflas]

Do I get extra points for being able to put the tires on the rim as well? How about extra points for knowing how to patch an inner tube or plug a tubeless tire? :beer: