# Do you change your own flat tires? Did you do so in the past? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 22, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708 "2011-11-22T02:33:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/1 "2011-11-22T02:33:14Z")
Simple question, inspired by the oil change thread. I know the question’s been asked before, but I’m also interested in past practices. I always have, and still do, even though I have AAA coverage. I can generally get it changed faster than it would take AAA to get there and do the job. I might use AAA in exceptional circumstances such as bad weather, bad neighborhood, etc. What’s your habit these days? ---
**Author:** ![Audrey\_Levins](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/73ab20/32.png) [@Audrey\_Levins](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Audrey_Levins)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/2 "2011-11-22T02:45:20Z")
I have been shown how to change a tire but somebody else has always ended up doing it for me; perhaps this shows a distressing lack of feminism but if some guy wants to get all dirty and change my tire for me, I’m not gonna stop them in the name of equality. ---
**Author:** ![Lacunae\_Matata](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8491ac/32.png) [@Lacunae\_Matata](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lacunae_Matata)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/3 "2011-11-22T02:52:20Z")
> [@Audrey\_Levins](#): > > I have been shown how to change a tire but somebody else has always ended up doing it for me; perhaps this shows a distressing lack of feminism but if some guy wants to get all dirty and change my tire for me, I’m not gonna stop them in the name of equality. I voted before reading the replies, but this exactly. I’m certainly able to change a tire, and willing to help myself, but if some nice gentleman comes along and offers? Heck, yeah! In 25 years off driving, I’ve had about 4 flats. I’ve never had to change one, except to prove to my mom that I know how (before she’d let me get my license.) ---
**Author:** ![CrazyCatLady](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dfb087/32.png) [@CrazyCatLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrazyCatLady)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/4 "2011-11-22T02:52:59Z")
The times I’ve gotten a flat, some guy has always happened along and volunteered to change it for me while I was still kicking and yanking and cussing trying to loosen the lug nuts. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/5 "2011-11-22T02:55:11Z")
Next time I’ll add another category to the poll: “I could, be someone always comes along and does it for me before I can do it.” Which is why I never clean the bathroom. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/6 "2011-11-22T02:55:46Z")
I just had my millionth flat tire a couple of weeks ago, and yes I do change my own. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/7 "2011-11-22T03:03:02Z")
> [@CrazyCatLady](#): > > The times I’ve gotten a flat, some guy has always happened along and volunteered to change it for me while I was still kicking and yanking and cussing trying to loosen the lug nuts. Stand on the wrench handle. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/8 "2011-11-22T03:08:56Z")
Other. Theoretically I know how to, but so far I’ve never had a tire so flat that it needed immediate changing. ::knock on wood:: It’s weird that I’ve never gotten a flat or had a headlight go out when I’ve had so many other strange things happen to my cars. I mean, how many people have axles on the same car need replacing 3 times in 2 years?? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/9 "2011-11-22T03:09:40Z")
I voted _generally do so_, but the last two times, I couldn’t get the lug nuts off. Aluminum rims, and they had corroded on. AAA guy had a really hard time as well, so I didn’t feel like a wuss. I have a different car now, with normal rims, so I’d do it myself if I get a flat, just to save the time. Although, if some woman wanders by and offers to do it for me, I’d let her. ---
**Author:** ![Sudden\_Kestrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@Sudden\_Kestrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sudden_Kestrel)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/10 "2011-11-22T03:15:06Z")
I chose other, because I have never had a flat tire but I make it a point to know how to change tires on each vehicle we get just in case. To be honest, I would probably try to contact my husband first because he’s just naturally better at such things, but I would be game to change the tire myself if it became necessary. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/11 "2011-11-22T03:20:11Z")
Last spring I had the first flat in 30 years. Back then, I used to fix them myself, among other things; now I’ve got too many medical issues. ---
**Author:** ![Cunctator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/43a26b/32.png) [@Cunctator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cunctator)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/12 "2011-11-22T04:20:50Z")
I’ve never had a flat tyre. If I did, I’d call the road service people. ---
**Author:** ![Tamerlane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tamerlane/32/7602_2.png) [@Tamerlane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tamerlane)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/13 "2011-11-22T04:49:57Z")
Yes, I do my own. Though I’ve had AAA for a long time, it has never actually occurred to me to call them for a flat tire. Thing is, I get flats _constantly_. I work in an unincorporated urban area, sort of an industrial hell, right by a metal recycler. Puncture hazards are everywhere. I must have had an average of maybe 1-2 flats a year over the past 20 years. ---
**Author:** ![flatlined](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eb9ed0/32.png) [@flatlined](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flatlined)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/14 "2011-11-22T04:57:08Z")
I can change my own tires. The last time I had to do it was about 5 years ago. Not my fault, I was driving on a dark road and hit a brick. My moment that I laugh about was about the same time. I pulled into a market and noticed a very handsome guy (i.e. GREAT BUTT) with his hood open. Nice, new, expensive car. I asked what was the problem and if I could help…I’m just that sort of girl. The guy told me that he thought that his battery was dead because the car had been in storage while he was off doing Military stuff. I suggested jumping his battery. He told me that his car had come with jumper cables, but he didn’t know how to use them or how to get them out of the compartment. I jumped his battery and followed him home. I couldn’t leave such an innocent on the road. ---
**Author:** ![Ashes\_Ashes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/db5fbb/32.png) [@Ashes\_Ashes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashes_Ashes)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/15 "2011-11-22T04:58:21Z")
I could have but didn’t, and now, haven’t had to and can’t. With my last car, when it had a flat I called AAA because it always happened when it was 115 degrees, no shade, and sand on the side of the road. My new car doesn’t have a spare, just a can of (hopefully) miracle goo. Here’s hoping I won’t need to test it out any time soon. ---
**Author:** ![Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/278dde/32.png) [@Runs\_With\_Scissors](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Runs_With_Scissors)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/16 "2011-11-22T05:00:28Z")
There was no choice for “I know how, but I don’t and never will.” I pay AAA what I consider to be a lot of money every year. Fuck yeah, I’ll call them to do it. To do else would be like paying a whore to watch me jack off. ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/17 "2011-11-22T05:03:53Z")
I’ll jinx myself for saying this, but I haven’t had a flat in over 15 years. But, I did change it as well as every other flat I’ve had. Someone above said they had trouble getting the nuts loose - the secret is to break them loose before you jack up the car. With the flat tire resting on the ground, you can safely stand on the lug wrench or otherwise flail away with all your might and not worry about knocking the car off the jack. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/18 "2011-11-22T05:08:39Z")
I don’t pay for membership in any “road service” organization, and have only a vague idea of what services they might provide. I’ve always changed flats myself. It takes about ten minutes, unless I have a bunch of shit in the trunk. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 6:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/19 "2011-11-22T06:01:44Z")
I not only change my own tires, I keep an air compressor in the trunk, because it is almost inevitable that my high-pressure spare will be nearly deflated. so I usually have to inflate the spare back to its proper pressure before I can drive on it. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [November 22, 2011, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708/20 "2011-11-22T06:14:31Z")
I have done so, and can do so if needed…but that’s what I have AAA for. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-change-your-own-flat-tires-did-you-do-so-in-the-past/603708.md?page=2)