Comments on: How To Change A Flat Tire

By: Chris

Chris — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 00:38:54 +0000

I have (unfortunately) plenty of experience with this, and I am proud to say I can change a tire in about 10 minutes. And, from experience, if you don’t want a flat tire, remember to check your tire pressure (find what it should be in your car’s manual) about every month, if not more often.

Oh, one more thing. Invest in a good scissor jack. Your factory one might do ok in a pinch, but (again, coming from experience), if you forget to put on your brake and your car rolls when you jack it up, it falls on your jack and bends the hell out of it. So 1. Remember to ALWAYS put your brake on, and 2. have a spare jack.

By: Gene

Gene — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 22:00:48 +0000

When you jack the car up it will tilt it so it will want to roll away from the jack, especially if it’s a bumper jack. Also, if jacking the rear, the opposite side will also lose some traction so the parking brake may not be effective. If jacking the right rear, chock the front of the left front tire so the car doesn’t roll forward. I have used 12 volt compressors, and tire plugs ( I like the ones from Neallys) to fix a puncture in a tire and pump it up without even removing the tire. That’s if you can catch it before it goes completely flat.

Also, use good anti seize on the threads if you want to ease the removal of the lug nuts. You can reduce tightening torque by 10% too. This sure worked well on my motor home that was supposed to tightened to 450 to 500 foot lbs. That’s the equivalent of a 500 pound pull on a one foot lever, or 250 on a two foot. I used a four foot cheater.

By: Slainte

Slainte — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 23:05:52 +0000

WHAT!!?? What!!?? What is this article doing here? Is this site for men trying to enhance and perfect their manliness or is it a “How to” site for women who want to be men?
I’m ok – double ok in fact – with women knowing how to fix a flat tire. For that matter chics that can whistle with two fingers, keep a program at a baseball game, even throw a “spiral” is great.

But that’s not the point.

By the time a boy is old enough to figure out how to find this web page he should already KNOW HOW to change and rotate tires AND check the pressure. He should also at least know how to change the oil and replace the windshield washer fluid. Men should be teaching their daughters how to do these things before they get their drivers permit. It’s much safer and if she’s on the side of the road she’ll be thankful her dad was “man enough” to teach her these things instead of leaving her at the mercy of some “helpful” stranger.

It’s a great site gentlemen but please – changing a tire? Show me how to hot wire a car or something a little more useful.

Thanks

By: Jeremy

Jeremy — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 09:06:11 +0000

I feel like I was born knowing how to change a tire, it’s hard to think there are people out there who really just have no clue. Hmmm…

By: Dan

Dan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 20:18:39 +0000

couple of other tips, fwiw…

keep one of those bright LED headlamps in your glove box because when the tire goes flat, Murphy’s Law says it’l be dark out and you’ll want to work fast with both hands free.

keep a pair of work gloves and a utility blanket/towel in the car too so you can keep clean and dry and not ruin your night out with your wife.

as for wives and daughters and their safety when alone, i keep a can of that aerosol flat tire foam in the car so they can use it in a pinch and get on the road quickly without having to wait for help.

in addition to changing a tire, every man should know how to put on tire chains very fast in a nighttime snowstorm on the side of the interstate. it happens where i live all the time.

By: Judy

Judy — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 00:42:36 +0000

When I was 16 and wanting to leave house with brand new license, I had to change a tire before I left the driveway. No amount of whining and pleading got me out of this. I also had to learn to check oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, how to drain and fill radiator. My dad said one day you will be glad you learned. I have changed a few tires, the last one was on our 4 wheel drive truck and hubby was unable to do it.(diabetic, low sugar). I’m pushing 60 now and wish all young men and women would learn these things.
PS…..I can also do plumbing!

By: Uncle B

Uncle B — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 15:04:40 +0000

What kind of problems will the new Electrics pose for changing flat tires?

By: Gregg

Gregg — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:23:44 +0000

I hope everyone has a car with a BIG trunk to fit all the suggested items to carry. I’m going to add to that list though. When my daughters received their driver license, I took them outside and made them change a tire by themselves before they got behind the wheel alone. This made them feel more confident as well as giving me just a little more peace of mind when they backed out of the garage armed with a real driver license. I purchased both girls a cross type lug wrench and something we don’t have a big use for in South Texas. Each got a raincoat and those yellow rain pants. Just the cheap ones they sell in drug stores. Nothing fancy. Obviously it helps keep you dry but it also makes your easier to see. We don’t get a lot of rain here so most people don’t know how to drive in the rain and having something that makes you more visible helps. By the way, my youngest had a flat in a light drizzle and she actually put those things on. Staying dry was more important than being seen in a yellow rain suit. The last thing on my list is just something I told them about. I was stuck on the side of I-10 at 2:00am with a flat just outside of Baton Rouge, LA. The trucks were flying by with only a few feet separating us. I called the LA Highway Patrol and they sent a trooper to sit behind me with his flashing lights on. It took them awhile to get to me but it was worth it. Having those trucks slow down and move over a lane was a little more comforting. My son is an officer and he agreed with what I did. He wishes more would call them as far too many people are hit while they are changing a tire . Of course if it’s a busy night for them you fall wayyyyy down on their priority list so just understand that when you call and don’t give the officer attitude when they arrive a few hours later….and to RJ Vincent about your post. I grew up in Philly and South Jersey and I know exactly what you’re talking about!!! Your list is perfect.

By: R. J. Vincent

R. J. Vincent — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:41:21 +0000

I’ve had to change a tire or two in my time. I keep a cross wrench, a couple of pieces of 2×4 to block the opposite wheel and a pair of Mechanix™ gloves. These are available at your local Pep Boys or other auto store or directly from the company online. They’re the same gloves used by most of the race teams so for the occasional user they’re perfect. They’re comfortable and more importantly, they save your knuckles. I also keep a set of jumper cables, a fire extinguisher and some rope, bungee cords and a few tools as well in the trunk. I also keep a flashlight (or two) and a multi-tool and a small folding knife in the glove box along with one of those survival hammers in the console. It may sound like overkill but if you’ve ever driven in the Philadelphia/South Jersey area, you’ll understand why.

By: Sean

Sean — Tue, 19 May 2009 23:16:01 +0000

A good recommendation i have from experience is to keep a hammer in your car (preferably a ball peen or claw) so that if your tire is stuck on there a good hit will loosen it. so long as you hit the rubber portion and stay away from the rim of the wheel. if you don’t have a hammer around, a large stick will do.