# Can You Replace a Flat Tire **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2010, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633 "2010-01-04T16:57:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/21 "2010-01-04T19:04:24Z")
I hate doing it, especially in sub-zero temperatures, but I can and have done it many times. ---
**Author:** ![NinetyWt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/cc9497/32.png) [@NinetyWt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinetyWt)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/22 "2010-01-04T19:08:38Z")
When I had my first car (1977 or so), I could buy ‘recap’ tires for my VW bug for $10 each. They were not the best of tires. One week, I changed four flats! 😛 > [@Athena](#): > > Thirdly, the tools that are in a tire-change kit, at least the ones that came in my cars, aren’t great. They’re adequate at best. Adequate-at-best along with a lack of hand strength makes things like tire changes a pain in the butt. Hand strength is one of those things that men take for granted. That’s why you guys get to open jars all the time and we’re stuck using those stupid rubber things or hot water or other such methods. I quickly learned to carry a length of small-diameter metal pipe in my vehicle, to loosen those stubborn bolts. ---
**Author:** ![Skammer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skammer/32/143_2.png) [@Skammer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skammer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/23 "2010-01-04T19:13:12Z")
I’ve done it several times, and it always seems to be in the worst conditions. - on the narrow shoulder of the interstate - in a downpour at night (no umbrella) - in the freezing/slushy cold - in the freezing cold, at night (no gloves or flashlight) ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/24 "2010-01-04T19:18:42Z")
> [@Athena](#): > > Also, in defense of the weaker sex, we’re often wearing girl clothes. I don’t have to so much now, but there’s been plenty of years in my life where I’d be wearing clothes that are pricey enough (and I was poor enough) that I didn’t want to risk getting them covered in dirt and/or oil. Also… shoes. No man truly understands how crappy female footwear really is. And I’m not even talking about super high heels or anything like that. I’m just talking day-to-day office type footwear. With any weather or dirt at all, they are ruined. > > Thirdly, the tools that are in a tire-change kit, at least the ones that came in my cars, aren’t great. They’re adequate at best. Adequate-at-best along with a lack of hand strength makes things like tire changes a pain in the butt. Hand strength is one of those things that men take for granted. That’s why you guys get to open jars all the time and we’re stuck using those stupid rubber things or hot water or other such methods. > > I’m not saying that girls can’t change tires - we absolutely can and I think very little of women who say “OMG I can’t change a tire because I’m a GIRL!!!”. And I would, if it was a choice between waiting for an hour or more on a cold highway. But if the hubby is a phone call away, or it’s in my driveway and I can call AAA? You bet that’s the route I’m taking. I hope I didn’t come off as dismissive of women in my earlier post. As I said, I was surprised that my sister thought herself unable to change the tire because she is generally very competent and independent. On practical stuff she’s probably more generally competent than me; I’m more likely to all her for advice on a plumbing issue than the reverse, for instance. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/25 "2010-01-04T19:58:26Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > The guy had bought the pickup second hand and didn’t have a owners manual. Finally someone was leaving the plant and showed us how to drop the spare tire from the underneath the bed. There was a special screw in the license plate. Is that how those things work? I’ve changed my fair share of tires on the roadside (in the trunk or attached to the rear of the vehicle) but always wondered if they really expected you to climb underneath certain vehicles to get at those bottom mounted spares. That’s gotta be real fun in slush and snow. ---
**Author:** ![MissTake](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/misstake/32/3189_2.png) [@MissTake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MissTake)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/26 "2010-01-04T20:00:57Z")
My first car had front end problems, chewed through tires left and right. I became very proficient at changing tires. I’ve changed to donuts on the side of the highway in 0F weather after I blew a tire, I’ve changed tires on every vehicle owned my my sister, my mother, and I’ve had to change tires for my nephew who had no idea what he was doing. Then again, he thought transmission fluid was oil… So yeah. I know what I’m doing. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/27 "2010-01-04T20:09:27Z")
I hate changing flat tires but I’ve done so many times and will volunteer to help people I see with flat tires. I keep a container of Fix a Flat stuff and A plug kit in my vehicles. The Fix a Flat is usually my first go to so I can drive to a shop and let them deal with it or get to a safe/dry place to change the tire. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/28 "2010-01-04T20:16:00Z")
Change a flat? Pfft! Cake. Or maybe I’ll just install a plug, air and GO! Hell, I _mount_ my own tires, by hand. With 10 cars around the yard, I save hundreds. Since I own a Jeep, you would be _amazed_ at the road-side repair skills I’ve had to master. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/29 "2010-01-04T20:22:19Z")
Yes, I can do it, and have done it. It was one of my prerequisites, too, for my dad, for me to get behind the wheel. However, in any kind of inclement weather, the lug nuts are really hard to get off, even if you stand on the doodad. And women’s clothes, etc. The wonderful thing is, that though I’ve had flat tires on a few occasions and only ever had to change my own once. Guys will automatically offer to fix it, and they won’t take money, and they’ll do it with a smile on their faces. It’s one of the [many] times I really love the opposite sex and love being a girl - I don’t ask anyone to do it, but if they offer, I try and help and be as grateful as is possible and appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/30 "2010-01-04T20:25:45Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Hell, I _mount_ my own tires What you do in the privacy of your bedroom is none of my business. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/31 "2010-01-04T20:38:34Z")
There’s really not much to it. You just have to remember to do the initial loosening of the lug nuts before you jack the car up, and do the final tightening of them _after_ the car is back on the ground. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/32 "2010-01-04T20:49:21Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > There’s really not much to it. Unless your wheel is stuck to the hub. The last two cars I changed tires on (my Mazda 3 and my SO’s Ford Focus) the back wheel was impossible to get off the hub. The first time I called a local guy to do it for me, after spending two hours trying every possible way to get the damned thing off. He used a sledgehammer. So, the second time, I bought a sledgehammer and did it myself. At least now I have a sledgehammer in the trunk of my car should I come across this problem again. And, yes, I tried all the tricks of loosening the nuts, driving the car straight up and down several times to loosen it off the hub. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/33 "2010-01-04T20:51:21Z")
> [@Hampshire](#): > > There’s really not much to it. You just have to remember to do the initial loosening of the lug nuts before you jack the car up, and do the final tightening of them _after_ the car is back on the ground. Well, there’s brute strength to be considered, as I wrote upthread. My stepdaughter found herself unequal to the task when my cousin tried to teach her. She just didn’t have the mass to put into it. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/34 "2010-01-04T20:54:25Z")
Done it several times, more than I care to count. All things considered, I will say that it’s easiest with a lift and an air wrench, but I’ve done it many times with a jack and a tire iron, and on a couple of memorable occasions _without_ a jack or a tire iron (I don’t recommend that procedure). ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/35 "2010-01-04T21:02:41Z")
> [@NinetyWt](#): > > \ > > I quickly learned to carry a length of small-diameter metal pipe in my vehicle, to > loosen those stubborn bolts. My mom taught me to kick them loose with my feet (obviously you loosen and tighten the lug nuts while the car is on the ground, not up on the jack). You put the tire iron snugly on the nut so it’s kickable, then kick it (gently) until it’s loose. I’ve gotten _extremely_ tight nuts off that way (no double entendre intended 🙂 ) - our legs are plenty strong enough for this task. You also want to kick the nuts back on so they’re properly tight (after the car is back on the ground again). I’ve changed my share of flats in my life. That said, I’ll call AAA too now (well, CAA - AAA probably won’t drive that far). It’s what I pay them for. ---
**Author:** ![bucketybuck](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@bucketybuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bucketybuck)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/36 "2010-01-04T21:06:07Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You’d call AAA for a FLAT TIRE? Why on Earth would you wait that long? It’s a ten-minute job. I have always been baffled by this, ever since I was eight and went with my dad to change a flat tyre on my school teachers car. How could a TEACHER, an educated man not be able to change a tyre? (I was eight remember) Then, years later, a flat-mate sat for an hour waiting for the RAC to come and change a tyre on a pissy little Toyota Yaris. He didnt even keep a jack in the car, threw it away, said he wouldn’t use it. Maybe I am just a independant sort, but come on. I believe its a worrying thing if people don’t KNOW how to change a flat tyre. Sure, sometimes you can’t do it, if a mechanic has welded the wheel nuts on with an air gun, sometimes no amount of leverage will move them, but at least bloody well know HOW to do it. You might well need to know sometime, AA be damned. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/37 "2010-01-04T21:07:23Z")
> [@ZipperJJ](#): > > I voted yes, BUT…I’ve got AAA. I’d really just call them. Fuck that shit 🙂 This. The only time I’ll change it myself is if we Back of Beyond and it would take Auto Club too long to get there. ---
**Author:** ![ZipperJJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zipperjj/32/211_2.png) [@ZipperJJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZipperJJ)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/38 "2010-01-04T21:07:58Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > You’d call AAA for a FLAT TIRE? Why on Earth would you wait that long? It’s a ten-minute job. To be fair to me, it’s been under 20 degrees here for a couple weeks and there’s about 2 feet of snow on the ground and growing. Changing a tire on a bright sunny day on the wide shoulder of a well-lit highway is the furthest thing from my mind. Hell yeah I’ll wait that long, and then some. ---
**Author:** ![Quasimodem](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/e274bd/32.png) [@Quasimodem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quasimodem)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/39 "2010-01-04T21:17:44Z")
…I replaced a spare, was in the last century, and it was a fully-inflated, full sized tire, not a donut, but yeah, I can handle it. Q ---
**Author:** ![Strainger](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/strainger/32/244_2.png) [@Strainger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Strainger)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2010, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633/40 "2010-01-04T21:23:55Z")
I have a AAA card, but I go ahead and change my own tire since I also have a man card I’d like to hold on to. Actually, if I’m dressed up real purty, like in a suit or tux, I’ll go ahead and call AAA since I don’t want to get my fancy clothes all greasy. But other than that, yeah, I’ll do it myself. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/can-you-replace-a-flat-tire/523633.md?page=3)