Night Elf Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 DH went with youngest dd to her college orientation about 90 minutes away. He won't be home until after 7:00pm tonight. I need to go to the grocery store for a few things. When I was on my street, I realized my tire pressure light was on so I had to turn around to go back home. One of my tires is nearly flat. I can't drive on it because it might go completely flat so I can't even get to the tire place. I do not have the upper body strength to change the tire. DS and I were going to eat out for dinner tonight and now we can't. I'm stuck at home until DH gets home. Rats! I'm just glad it happened when I was near home and not when I was driving on the road. I have no one to call for help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Does your car insurance have roadside assistance? Call and add it or sign up for AAA. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 Does your car insurance have roadside assistance? Call and add it or sign up for AAA. I have no idea. I've never needed it. The couple of times I've gotten a flat tire, DH comes out to me to fix it. I'll ask him to check our policy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jyhwkmama Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Do you own an air compressor? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shellydon Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Do you have an air compressor? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I have no idea. I've never needed it. The couple of times I've gotten a flat tire, DH comes out to me to fix it. I'll ask him to check our policy. You can check it. If it's not in your documents at home, it will be available online. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 No we don't own an air compressor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pippen Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 If you locate your insurance documents (often required to be in the car), there will be a number you can call and they can check using your policy number. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 How old is your ds? Can you get it changed together? Then order dessert to celebrate the job done! And add to your to-do list determining a roadside assistance strategy. My company's number is programmed into my cell phone. I've used it once in the last 9 years, but on that day, it was priceless. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Tire pump? It takes more time but you can definitely use it to fill your tire. Ds can't help you? I feel for you- I hate being stranded, even if it is at home!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) Bicycle pump? Ours works on car tires, too. Can you call a friend to help change the tire? AAA? ETA: I just see your DS is 20. Call him and have him change the tire. He should be able to do that if he drives. Edited July 19, 2016 by regentrude 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 And hey, you can call uber or a cab. You're not completely stuck! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 I'd call around to ask if someone can come and do it. Call any place that does towing. They usually also do tire changes. If your tire is that low there might be something wrong with it so you might want to have the spare put on and then get to a repair shop when you can. Usually you can drive around 50 miles on a spare. They'll charge you of course for the service, but just for that it shouldn't be too bad. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 There is no uber in my area. We do have cabs, but they are so expensive and so annoying to use that it's not worth it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted July 19, 2016 Author Share Posted July 19, 2016 DS doesn't drive so he's never even watched DH change a tire. I think I generally know but it still makes me nervous. We're okay though because I decided to have pizza delivered so I don't need to go out afterall. And our tire place is not that far away and they fix flats for free because we bought our tires there. DH is going to take the car in the morning. We don't have a bicycle pump. I haven't owned a bicycle since I was less than 10 years old. We've never lived somewhere where riding bikes is doable so my kids have never learned how to ride a bike. I sort of feel bad about that but oh well. Chances are they'll never need to do it. My dd18 doesn't drive either. I don't know why my kids hate driving so much but neither of them want to even practice. I'm still the Mom Cab. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 It would probably be more difficult to attempt using a bike pump on there than trying to change the tire! Glad you worked it out. Pizza sounds yum.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lawyer&Mom Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Yay for pizza! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 (edited) It would probably be more difficult to attempt using a bike pump on there than trying to change the tire! Why? If it is a bike pump that fits car tire valves, you put it on, measure the pressure and just pump. We just recently used ours to check the tire pressure and inflate a low -albeit not flat- tire in a few minutes. Changing the wheel (nobody actually ever changes the tire) is quite a bit of work and also risky if you don't know where to put the jack etc. I would not recommend that somebody who has never done it just do it. Edited July 19, 2016 by regentrude 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 Why? If it is a bike pump that fits car tire valves, you put it on, measure the pressure and just pump. We just recently used ours to check the tire pressure and inflate a low -albeit not flat- tire in a few minutes. Changing the wheel (nobody actually ever changes the tire) is quite a bit of work and also risky if you don't know where to put the jack etc. I would not recommend that somebody who has never done it just do it - but maybe this would be a good point for the OP to learn to do it herself. What kind of bike pump do you have? Everything I've read about attempting this has said it would take a lot of pumping (like an amount that's not all that doable). I think she said she has done it in the past. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 19, 2016 Share Posted July 19, 2016 What kind of bike pump do you have? Everything I've read about attempting this has said it would take a lot of pumping (like an amount that's not all that doable). Floor pump, not handheld. You'd also only need to inflate enough to make it to the nearest tire place, you don't have to inflate all the way to 32. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Night Elf Posted July 20, 2016 Author Share Posted July 20, 2016 Oh I've never changed a tire but I've watched my DH do it a couple of times. I just know I can't do it on my own. FWIW, DH looked at it when he got home and said it was a good thing I didn't drive on it. We'll find out what's wrong with it when he takes it to the tire place to get it fixed. But thanks for all of the suggestions! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Why? If it is a bike pump that fits car tire valves, you put it on, measure the pressure and just pump. We just recently used ours to check the tire pressure and inflate a low -albeit not flat- tire in a few minutes. Changing the wheel (nobody actually ever changes the tire) is quite a bit of work and also risky if you don't know where to put the jack etc. I would not recommend that somebody who has never done it just do it. Ha! I never really thought about that. I guess it harkens back to changing the actual tire, as you do with bikes or motorcycles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 No we don't own an air compressor. Sorry so late to the conversation. One of our cars has an air compressor that runs off the cigarette lighter in lieu of a spare tire. It's actually a rather nice little compressor that I have used on several occasions. It's a stretch, but it's possible yours does also. If it does, it should be described in the owner's manual along with instructions on its use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 If you do use roadside assistance through your auto insurance, be aware that they often require that you find the person to assist or tow, pay them up front, and then bring the receipt to your insurance agent for reimbursement. They also might cover only a certain amount of the cost. We locked our keys in the car three hours from home and in a rural area, so it cost us about $100, and a fair amount of effort to find someone in an area we didn't know, and our insurance only covers (well, it was eight years ago, so they might cover more now; IDK) $50 for a lockout. Not a huge deal, but it's something to be aware of. AAA is more expensive, by far, but it might be a better option for you. (Fwiw, I have never changed a tire either. I don't think I could physically do it.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (Fwiw, I have never changed a tire either. I don't think I could physically do it.) Curious question for those who say they could not do it: why? It's not like you have to actually lift the car. Is it that you could not lift the spare out of the trunk? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I learned to change a flat tire when I was 16. Never had a flat tire until I was 30. By then I had no clue what to do, and dh was with me. Unfortunately, we have had lots of practice recently. My son has had three flat tire since getting a car two years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edithcrawley Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Curious question for those who say they could not do it: why? It's not like you have to actually lift the car. Is it that you could not lift the spare out of the trunk? Normally the tire places put the nuts on so tight (because they do it with a machine), that they are nearly impossible to budge manually with the tool that comes with the spare. 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thessa516 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 You can get an air compressor for under $20 on Amazon. We have one and we use it all the time, especially this summer for blowing up pool toys and floats. Keep it in your trunk with your emergency items. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmseB Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Normally the tire places put the nuts on so tight (because they do it with a machine), that they are nearly impossible to budge manually with the tool that comes with the spare. I'm sure you're probably not supposed to, but I've had success standing on the wrench to get them off. In a pinch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Normally the tire places put the nuts on so tight (because they do it with a machine), that they are nearly impossible to budge manually with the tool that comes with the spare. Stand on it. If they're torquing it properly and not insane, it can be taken off by hand or feet/body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fraidycat Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 I'm sure you're probably not supposed to, but I've had success standing on the wrench to get them off. In a pinch. Just be careful when it does let go! BTDT Got a sore foot. :) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Curious question for those who say they could not do it: why? It's not like you have to actually lift the car. Is it that you could not lift the spare out of the trunk? I don't even have a spare, but no that's not the issue. I can't get the damn bolts off. The one time I had a flat (my old car that did have a spare) it was below freezing and snowing so I figured if I couldn't be quick I'd feeze my arse off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
goldberry Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Normally the tire places put the nuts on so tight (because they do it with a machine), that they are nearly impossible to budge manually with the tool that comes with the spare. That's what happened to me. My dad went through a lot to make sure I knew how to change a tire. When my first tire went flat, I couldn't get the nuts off. Oh well! OP, if I didn't have friends/family in the area to call, I would definitely invest in AAA. ETA, those who said to stand on the tool thing, I did try that and it was actually bending instead of working. Edited July 20, 2016 by goldberry 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 When the guy came to do mine he asked me to put the emergency brake on so I did. Apparently I didn't pull it tight enough so he even fixed that. Guess I'm not particularly strong! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Curious question for those who say they could not do it: why? It's not like you have to actually lift the car. Is it that you could not lift the spare out of the trunk? I've never tried, but would be nervous that I'd start and not know what I was doing, have trouble with lifting things (is it hard to use a jack? Like how much strength is needed, I don't know. And yes, lifting the actual old/new tires. Maybe you could just roll the old tire somewhere), try to change a tire that actually just needed repaired not replaced and waste a lot of time, etc. We recently had an issue where our car kept telling us that one tire was really low. Some type of leak. Kept getting low after adding air to it. But dh took it to get looked at and it was fixed rather than replaced if I'm not mistaken. It's far easier to have dh handle it or call AAA. Maybe if I was actually trained to do it I would take a stab at it, in the right place. But middle of no where? On the side of the road? Even in my own driveway I don't know if I would where I live. Lots of men that loiter around a nearby gas station and stare at us. Edited July 20, 2016 by heartlikealion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amo_mea_filiis. Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura in CA Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) IMO, changing a tire is an essential life skill that every person – women, teens, everyone, even if they themselves don't drive – should know how to do, and have done once at home for practice. Sure, in a real-life situation it may be snowing, the nuts might be on too tight, etc., but one should know how to do it. Jacks weigh only a few pounds, but placed right, they easily lift up the side of the car where the flat is. Obviously you want to be on a level surface and at the side of the road. We had a blowout in the desert of Arizona, miles from anywhere, 110º, no cell-phone signal, very little traffic. Putting the spare tire on allowed us to limp (at 50 mph) to the closest desert town. ETA: Plus, it is very empowering to know how to change a tire. Girl Power! :) And you can be sure that after that desert blowout, I made sure all of our cars had flares and that the owner's manual was handy. The owner's manual tells you how to place the jack, how to access the tools (for example, our jack was wedged into a side compartment in the trunk, and had to be collapsed a little to be removed), etc. Edited July 20, 2016 by Laura in CA 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Curious question for those who say they could not do it: why? It's not like you have to actually lift the car. Is it that you could not lift the spare out of the trunk? I've known how to change a tire since I was old enough to walk. My father and brother were shade tree mechanics, and my father made me practice doing some things over and over before I got my license. In addition to knowing how to change a tire I also know how to change the oil and could probably pull off a decent brake job. But realistically I know there's no way I'd be able to break lose lug nuts that have been put on with an air wrench. DH has enough trouble doing it (sometimes he can't) even though we have a much better tool than the uselessly flimsy one that comes with vehicles and he outweighs me by almost 100 pounds. If his 200ish pounds standing on the tool won't budge a lug nut, there's no way my 110 pound self is going to have much success. When I was living at home my father always insisted that the tire places NOT use an air wrench for that very reason. As an adult I never remembered to do that. Edited July 20, 2016 by Pawz4me 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) Normally the tire places put the nuts on so tight (because they do it with a machine), that they are nearly impossible to budge manually with the tool that comes with the spare. If the nuts are tight, you can use the weight of the car instead of just the force from your hand (or your own weight by standing on it): put the jack under the wrench and crank it up; the torque from the weight of the car will loosen the nut. Edited July 20, 2016 by regentrude 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 IMO, changing a tire is an essential life skill that every person – women, teens, everyone, even if they themselves don't drive – should know how to do, and have done once at home for practice. Sure, in a real-life situation it may be snowing, the nuts might be on too tight, etc., but one should know how to do it. Jacks weigh only a few pounds, but placed right, they easily lift up the side of the car where the flat is. Obviously you want to be on a level surface and at the side of the road. We had a blowout in the desert of Arizona, miles from anywhere, 110º, no cell-phone signal, very little traffic. Putting the spare tire on allowed us to limp (at 50 mph) to the closest desert town. ETA: Plus, it is very empowering to know how to change a tire. Girl Power! :) And you can be sure that after that desert blowout, I made sure all of our cars had flares and that the owner's manual was handy. The owner's manual tells you how to place the jack, how to access the tools (for example, our jack was wedged into a side compartment in the trunk, and had to be collapsed a little to be removed), etc. I don't agree. I don't think it is necessary that I know how to do everything. And I can't emphasis this enough, but, I don't want to. My car didn't come with a spare and there is no space for one. If I traveled in areas without a lot of people, yes I think I'd feel better knowing how to deal with stuff like that, but I don't ever do that. That said I have learned a few car things along the way that I can manage myself such as changing a battery. That came in handy a few times. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 If the nuts are tight, you can use the weight of the car instead of just the force from your hand (or your own weight by standing on it): put the jack under the wrench and crank it up; the torque from the weight of the car will loosen the nut. I"m not an expert, but I think this coulld be dangerous unless one has a much better lug nut tool (and probably a better quality jack, too) than the ones provided in most vehicle 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baseball mom Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 Glad you didn't leave :) and pizza :thumbup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 (edited) If the nuts are tight, you can use the weight of the car instead of just the force from your hand (or your own weight by standing on it): put the jack under the wrench and crank it up; the torque from the weight of the car will loosen the nut.Uh. No. That is very not smart. Do not do that. This is not he zombie apocalypse where we have to risk limbs and he rest of the vehicle for the sake of a tire change. OP: AAA roadside assistance is fabulous, cheap and totally worth it. You call the # and pay for membership. When something happens, you call them. They call a guy to come out. Guy changes tire, or jumps the battery, or give $5 of gas or toes to wherever. You go your merry way. No extra charge. No paying anything up front. It's part of the membership. The reason you can't get the nuts off is bc the majority of tire places use pneumatic drills to bolt everything faster. But it also bolts them way way WAY tighter and it's almost impossible to take them off without those blasted drills or doing more damage to self or vehicle than is worth it. Around here, you have to specificly ask tire places not to use those and some will even charge you extra bc it adds time to the process. And I suspect they just use the drill anyways. We have AAA roadside for every driver in my household. Worth every penny. Oh and that's the other thing I like. It is not car insurance. It's is for the DRIVER. So if son goes out of town with a friend and they have a trouble on some god forsaken backroad? No problem. He can call AAA. When my dad and I went to lunch and he left his keys in the locked truck? I called AAA to come unlock it. No extra charge. It's all part of membership. Totally worth it. ETA: Also, always have a spare. There is no way there is no room for it. Even our jalopy matchbox cars have a space underneath the trunk. Otherwise there's usually somewhere else where one can be placed. AAA doesn't keep tires for all cars in stock. But at least they can slap a spare on there so you can drive it to the shop next time. Edited July 20, 2016 by Murphy101 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
heartlikealion Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 IMO, changing a tire is an essential life skill that every person – women, teens, everyone, even if they themselves don't drive – should know how to do, and have done once at home for practice. Sure, in a real-life situation it may be snowing, the nuts might be on too tight, etc., but one should know how to do it. Jacks weigh only a few pounds, but placed right, they easily lift up the side of the car where the flat is. Obviously you want to be on a level surface and at the side of the road. We had a blowout in the desert of Arizona, miles from anywhere, 110º, no cell-phone signal, very little traffic. Putting the spare tire on allowed us to limp (at 50 mph) to the closest desert town. ETA: Plus, it is very empowering to know how to change a tire. Girl Power! :) And you can be sure that after that desert blowout, I made sure all of our cars had flares and that the owner's manual was handy. The owner's manual tells you how to place the jack, how to access the tools (for example, our jack was wedged into a side compartment in the trunk, and had to be collapsed a little to be removed), etc. I agree we should all know. Just never had this practice scenario and don't feel particularly inclined to go outside and practice removing a tire out of the blue. We don't even have a place in the car to hold a spare. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RegGuheert Posted July 20, 2016 Share Posted July 20, 2016 If the nuts are tight, you can use the weight of the car instead of just the force from your hand (or your own weight by standing on it): put the jack under the wrench and crank it up; the torque from the weight of the car will loosen the nut. That's a very clever idea! Unfortunately, in many (most?) modern cars, if they even have a jack the jack handle and the wrench are the SAME THING. In other words, you need to remove the wrench from the lug nut in order to crank the jack. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 I can change a tire, and have, but generally the times I've been doing it on the side of the road someone else has stopped to help me. Truckers in particular have stopped multiple times to help me. I love truckers! I tried to pay them, but they would never take it. Nice people are awesome. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasider Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 IMO, changing a tire is an essential life skill that every person – women, teens, everyone, even if they themselves don't drive – should know how to do, and have done once at home for practice. Sure, in a real-life situation it may be snowing, the nuts might be on too tight, etc., but one should know how to do it. Jacks weigh only a few pounds, but placed right, they easily lift up the side of the car where the flat is. Obviously you want to be on a level surface and at the side of the road. We had a blowout in the desert of Arizona, miles from anywhere, 110º, no cell-phone signal, very little traffic. Putting the spare tire on allowed us to limp (at 50 mph) to the closest desert town. ETA: Plus, it is very empowering to know how to change a tire. Girl Power! :) And you can be sure that after that desert blowout, I made sure all of our cars had flares and that the owner's manual was handy. The owner's manual tells you how to place the jack, how to access the tools (for example, our jack was wedged into a side compartment in the trunk, and had to be collapsed a little to be removed), etc. I agree! So much so that it's included our kids' list of things they have to do before getting a learner's permit. 1- have a job 2- have money for car insurance 3- complete the insurance company's safe driver course 4- learn and demonstrate how to change a flat tire and jumper cables 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted July 21, 2016 Share Posted July 21, 2016 (edited) We have AAA roadside for every driver in my household. Worth every penny. Oh and that's the other thing I like. It is not car insurance. It's is for the DRIVER. So if son goes out of town with a friend and they have a trouble on some god forsaken backroad? No problem. He can call AAA. If he has phone service. Which, if it is really a godforsaken back road, he may not. Even here in the not so wild Midwest, I have been on roads with no cell reception - and out West, we have driven for hours without cell reception and without encountering other vehicles on the road. We have AAA, but out there, it is completely useless. Uh. No. That is very not smart. Do not do that. This is not he zombie apocalypse where we have to risk limbs and he rest of the vehicle for the sake of a tire change I do not understand how placing the jack under the wrench would risk either limb or car, if you do it carefully. You don't actually lift up the car. It may not be zombie apocalypse, but if I am on a back road, the alternative could be walking dozens, or hundreds, of miles to the nearest highway or settlement (still without cell reception) . Edited July 21, 2016 by regentrude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.