Ever change a tire in sub-zero weather?

[Don Vito Corleone]

Ack!

Today I was on my way to work in my 2001 Nissan Maxima (which I think must be feeling the heat of my intention to buy a 2006 BMW 330i on Wednesday). It was 6 below zero and windy.

My car was definitely pulling to the right, which has never really been an issue before. I pulled over to take a look and saw that I had a flat. D'oh! I seriously considered just leaving it and asking a co-worker to come get me, but I figured I might as well deal with it in daylight rather than waiting until after work, when it would be dark. It was particularly shitty in that I had a bunch of crap in my trunk that I had to dig out to get to the donut spare. 20 minutes or so later (it takes forever to raise and lower those crappy portable jacks, or at least this one), I was on my way with a donut and some completely numb fingers. Thank God I had a down jacket, hat and gloves . . .

Now I just hope the tire can be repaired, as I plan to donate the car to charity. Worst case, scenario I will have to donate it on a donut, because I'm not buying a new tire first - we shall see . . .

 

[Cl1ckm3]

i have a dual bandpass sub box that covers the flap to get to my donut, it would be difficult to get the box out..its something i thoght about when i first got it and saw how hard it was to squeeze that box in there cause my trunk is so small....now i just hope and pray i never have to get to it.

 

[T2urtle]

with subs and smaller trunks, you might as well removed the spare to offset the added weight of the subs.


I had to do 2 tires, roadside on the highway. it was in mild traffic and about 10 degrees outside but SNOW SNOW SNOW. that sucked to even try to do. Let alone they where front wheels on a FWD. so i actually had to do a total of 4 swaps. cause of the rotation as well.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

D'oh! The tire shop is saying the tire is irreparable because I drove on it flat (which I admittedly did, without knowing it). Ah well. I am not paying $200 for a new tire for a car I plan to give away this week - too bad though.

 

[Eli]

That would suck.

I would do it though.

 

[Nyati13]

Nope, never in sub-freezing.. that would suck....

I have changed a flat in sight of a pride of lions. They were under a tree about 500 or so feet away.
I've also changed 6 flats in one day, and we only had 4 spares, so that included fixing 2 flats as well.

good times.... good times

 

[nakedfrog]

It was between 8F and 10F (don't know what the wind chill was) when I changed one about a week and a half ago. I'm really glad I had my gloves, too.

 

[bruceb]

I have done it in the rain. But not in the freezing cold, thankfully.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Last winter my mom was out visiting and the car was making a weird noise when turning, so we get to the store and sure enough a nail in the tire. Was under 10 degrees with wind chill lowering it further. Neither of us had gloves or a hat (I had a hoodie on if I recall though that I put the hood up on)

 

[Cl1ckm3]

i think being well prepared would help alot.

for instance, keep some good warm gloves in your car, maybe a pair of coverall's and a ski mask in the back seat or something, cause if anyone here is like me, i dont dress really warm just to go from my car into a building somehwere. a coat and jeans just doesnt cut it during any roadside breakdown. but some warm gear like coverall's and gloves would be quick to put on and let you more easily get down in the snow to get r done.
cause if its dark, very cold, snowy and windy...a simple tire change could take 3x's longer if your not geared up in protective outfit.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Damnit - I ended up spending $411 on new tires today thanks to this escapade. That sucked ass.

 

[sniperruff]

a 01' maxima- you can get a pretty penny for it... why donate it?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
a 01' maxima- you can get a pretty penny for it... why donate it?

Good question. I've owned the car since new, and maintained it well. It has always been perfectly reliable and is in good shape other than some minor cosmetic things. The problem is, about 3 years ago it started getting awful gas mileage - it dropped from about 23 MPG to about 15 or 16. I have taken it to three different mechanics and none of them can diagnose it. I could certainly trade it in like that, but I don't think I could sell it to a private party without major recriminations. Obviously a private-party sale is as-is, but I'm a lawyer and wouldn't be comfortable with the prospect of pissing off a buyer. I had identified a killer deal on a used car (the seller has since flaked), and so I was going to donate the Maxima for the tax deduction. As it sits I will be hanging on to it for at least the next few months.

 

[thomsbrain]

I had to change one recently in the dead of winter. Must have been about 55 degrees outside. Brr! I almost wished I had packed a long-sleeve shirt!

<-- California.

But that sounds like it must have really sucked.

 

[BassBomb]

Done it in -20C with my dad.. no gloves no hat

 

[Instan00dles]

I did it once before, it was about -10c and the damn rear wheels were rusted to the drunks sooo bad. Had a 2 ft pry bar with a cheater bar and still had to put everything I had into it to break them free. not fun

 

[Thump553]

I bet the cold was the main reason your tire was flat. When I lived in Milwaukee that happened to me a few times, especially when parking outside overnight. No fun changing them.

My worst tire changing episode was a pitch black night, pouring rain, in a suit (fortunately had a raincoat). Of course the rain stopped just about when I got done.

But since my kids became drivers (their level of automotive competence is to call Dad) I've become a firm believer in AAA.

PS: helpful hint-buy a pair of those 99 cent cotton work gloves and throw them in your spare tire wheel well.

 

[Raduque]

Didn't change a tire in sub-zero weather, but did do a water pump in 5 degree weather. Changed a tire in 3" of snow, though. Also changed a tire in ~115F weather in direct sunlight on an incline.

 

[TheTony]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone
I was going to donate the Maxima for the tax deduction.

If you do donate it, try to donate to an organization where the vehicle goes towards a stated use within the organization. Many charities that accept auto donations simply sell the vehicle to an auto auction for much less than it's worth, and who often gouge the charity with fees. Plus, your resulting deduction is then based on the auction price - pennies on the dollar.

If you deal with an organization that actually uses the vehicle: a) your deduction will be higher, as it reflects the market value of the car and b) it's much more likely to do immediate good to those who receive it.