Can you change a tire??

This morning I was on my way to go food shopping when I noticed my car was making a loud noise. I was going to pull over to look, figuring it was just some ice in the tire. The guy behind me was trying to get my attention about it, so I figured it had to be kind of bad. I pulled over when I could and I had a flat. Fortunately DH was home, and fortunately we live right down the street from both a tire place and an auto repair place. DH changed it, and we went over to the auto repair place to plug it. Had DH not been home, I'm sure I would have driven it there since it was less than a mile down the street, but I would have been panicking about the tire exploding or something (in the past, I've ridden a flat for so long that it ruined the rim and started smoking - I was only like 19...and it was my mom's car...not good! )

So can you change a flat by yourself? Are you more comfortable if someone is assisting you? Or can you not do it at all?

Re: Can you change a tire??

Yup, I totally! My dad taught me when I was younger. I can change my own oil too!

Re: Can you change a tire??

No... the one time i got a flat my dad had to come and meet me on Union Turnpike... i was around 19...

Re: Can you change a tire??

Yep. My uncles taught me.

Re: Can you change a tire??

I picked "sort of" because in the past I can and have changed a flat. That being said, I never had an SUV before and dont even think I would know how to get the spare to drop down from underneath let alone change it!

Re: Can you change a tire??

umm.. kinda can but I will need help

Re: Can you change a tire??

I can't even lift a tire from a trunk, let alone change one!!!! I do have a AAA card!!!! But sometimes it takes them a year and a day to come!! Mary

Re: Can you change a tire??

i know how i just can't physically do it.

Re: Can you change a tire??

Yes. That's one of the things my ex-h showed me how to do and he made me do it once to make sure I knew how to do it (of course while he was there to give a hand).

Re: Can you change a tire??

Nope...but I really should learn

Re: Can you change a tire??

Sort of. I know the mechanics of it. I've "assisted" (meaning sat by and watched) while 3 flat tires were changed. I just don't know if I'd have the upper body strength to get them off the car.

Re: Can you change a tire??

Could I? Probably..
Will I? No. I have AAA & I'd doubt myself anyway

Re: Can you change a tire??

nope, I have a flat right now, have to wait for when I can get DH and AAA together (he has the AAA card) to change it.

Theoretically I know how, but never done it

Re: Can you change a tire??

Yes I can, I just don't like to, especially if someone can do it for me.

Re: Can you change a tire??

Absolutely!

My dad wouldn't let me drive his cars when I first got my drivers license until he made me change a tire first. He said I needed to know how to do it.

I have since changed 2 of my own flat tires.

I'll be honest, I find it feels really great to do it myself!

Re: Can you change a tire??

I wouldn't even know where to begin.

Re: Can you change a tire??

I dont know at all... which is why I pay for AAA ... It has come in handy many times!

Re: Can you change a tire??

Absolutely, yes.

And I don't even own a car. DH has one but I rarely drive.

I learned how to do it around the time that I learned how to drive (20 years old)...IMO everyone should know how. And it's easy!

Re: Can you change a tire??

It's not something I'd feel comfortable doing myself.

Re: Can you change a tire??

Do I have a driver's license?
Yes I can change a tire

I'm surprised so many don't know how.

Actually living in NY gave me lots of shocks like that. Everyone I know has been driving since 16 and you couldn't date after 18 unless you had a car (well you could but why would you date a guy without a car?). By 20 everyone lived in their own apt. Why would you be at home? Everyone knows how to change a tire. We all pump our own gas, boy or girl. Full service stations are for the rich folks who want to be lazy (yeah that made my 1st trip to NJ interesting! ha!)

Personally I can change the alternator on my old mustang while on the side of the road but I can't change the oil in my 03 mazda because the filter is so far back its a P.I.T.A.

I think it important to be able to take care of your car - put in oil, coolant (and know when to and not to), check oil levels, change a tire. I'm surprised more by the fact that a lot of moms dont drive at all and can't drive. I'd be terrified if I couldn't drive!

To each their own.

Re: Can you change a tire??

I never tried & my dad is not the kind who teaches those things as he has no idea himself lol. I have AAA.

Message edited 1/28/2011 4:45:12 PM.

Re: Can you change a tire??

I don't, but that is the reason I have AAA. Just call them up and ask them for help.

but seriously, I would love to learn...

Re: Can you change a tire??

Re: Can you change a tire??

I know how and have no problem doing it but it can be quite hard to get the lug nuts off. I can see myself having to jump on the tire iron and cracking an ankle.

I can do a re-build of an entire engine too. I grew up around cars. Always changed my own oil, breaks etc. I taught all my friends to drive stick too.
I drove a stick when I was young and learned to always have someone who could drive my car if anything ever happened.

ETA: I wouldn't even attempt to work on my car now It's hard enough to find the battery terminals if I need a jump.

Message edited 1/28/2011 4:56:02 PM.

Re: Can you change a tire??

not a chance.

i'd call dh right away, or fil.

dh is soooooooooooooo anal about "his" car that he wouldn't let me anywhere near it with a lug wrench!