Art of Manliness - Latest Comments in How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

JPulford — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 08:24:16 -0000

Tonight I had to change my first flat tire. Living in Colorado I usually change my own tires twice a year (I have a separate set of rims for studded tires) so changing the rim was easy. However I was not used to using the screw-jack that, as far as I know, hasn't been used since a Chrysler employee put it under the seat of my Jeep Grand Cherokee back in 1993. I'd say the biggest worries were the safety of the factory jack as well as the effort needed to raise the car compared to the hydraulic floor jack I'm used to using. Not having pneumatic tools was also quite the pain in the ass.

Anyone who owns a car should know how to check and change fluids and check tire pressure. Really, anything related to what is covered in the owner's manual isn't worth seeking a mechanic as long as sufficient tools (or anything you can jury-rig) are available.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Chris Jones — Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:54:02 -0000

Enjoyed reading this post. Personally I feel too many people now-a-days don't know how to do things such as change a flat tire or change their own oil. What's going to happen to them if they get stuck on the side of the highway with a spare and no one can come for another 3-4 hours? S.O.L I guess, but they should try to avoid that.

Reminds me of a funny How-to guide on changing a tire that I read the other day though: http://baconsmores.com/diy/...

PS - Here's a good question: If you live where it is hilly and full of mountains, where do you find the flat surface? ;-)

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Tony Rovere — Wed, 21 Aug 2013 01:45:39 -0000

I was always taught by my father that you must slide the "5th tire"...either the spare or the flat tire...underneath the car while it is on the jack.

This way if the car falls off the jack it will land on that tire and you can jack it up again.

Dad's advice came in handy when I broke down on a highway with cobblestone as the shoulder of the road.

It was uneven and in attempting to jack the car up the car did slowly tip off the jack.

Fortunately because of Dad's advice I was able to re-jack the car up without need of a tow truck.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Gene — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:00:48 -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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Slainte — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:05:52 -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

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

cillosis — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 04:06:11 -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...

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Dan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 15:18:39 -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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Judy — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 19:42:36 -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!

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Uncle B — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 11:04:40 -0000

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

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Gregg — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:23:44 -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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

R. J. Vincent — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 15:41:21 -0000

I've had to change a tire or two in my time. I keep a cross wrench, a couple of pieces of 2x4 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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Sean — Tue, 19 May 2009 19:16:01 -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.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Rebecca — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 09:29:39 -0000

My tire has a flat today from a pothole in the road. I woud like to say that I am indeed a woman and my trunk is clean. I will be changing my tire in 20minutes with no man help :P

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

fathersez — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 04:37:19 -0000

Yes, a neccessity. Many of our driving schools pass off drivers who don't know how to change tires. I have only had to change it once (thank God) and it was quite a task.

The second time, a young man passing by on a bike stopped and changed the tires for us. God Bless him.

Cheers

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Parsley — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:46:02 -0000

I was taught how to change a tyre as a child but I once had to do it in complete darkness. The only light was the occasional headlights of passing cars. The tyre was changed successfully but I took all the skin off my knuckles in the process. Always carry a good torch!

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Peter — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 10:56:33 -0000

@Alex - If you haven't been using the star pattern and just heard about it you probably shouldn't touch you car.. That's best for safety

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Peter the Great — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 22:36:45 -0000

To "block" a tire is to chock the tire, i.e., to wedge something between the curve of the tread and the ground on a "good" tire, to keep the wheel from turning, and consequently, the car from falling off the jack, a very unwelcome and possibly injurious occurrence. Always chock a tire, on the side you expect the car might roll. A fist-sized rock makes a good ad-hoc chock.

Setting the parking brake is a good idea, esp. to keep a rear wheel from turning as you attempt to break loose the lugs on a small, light car, where there is no engine weight to create the needed friction and leaving the car in gear is not enough. That made the difference for me once.

The coverall may be over-doing things, but a pair of gloves is a great idea. I always have a tube of hand cleaner in the trunk. The difference between accomplishing a task and accomplishing it with style is the Art of Manliness.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Uberhack — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:33:57 -0000

My wife once insisted that she would have an easier time changing a flat tire than I would. I called "Bravo Sierra" (BS), she called Triple A.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Willy — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 18:46:40 -0000

I would contend that cars with hubcaps are inherently unmanly. And don't start about price. There are plenty of VERY cheap vehicles that don't have hubcaps.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

KJ — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:40:29 -0000

Keeping a short length of steel pipe (2-3ft) that fits over the handle of the lug wrench can be a huge help in breaking the lugs free, since it gives you a longer lever to work with. It's especially nice if you have one of those short little 8-inch lug wrenches that makes it hard to get good leverage.

If you have the cross-shaped lug wrench, push down on the one side and pull up on the other. It's much more effective than pushing or pulling alone.

If you change the wheels on your car, be sure your lug wrench fits into the new wheels. When I went from steel wheels to aluminum ones, I didn't think to be check and make sure that the lug wrench I had with my spare would fit inside the holes my lugnuts were recessed into. Got a flat tire at work. It didn't fit. Whoops.

A piece of plywood that's about a square foot or so is awfully nice to have in the trunk in case you've got to change the tire in mud/sand/etc.

Changing the oil: Nice to know, not a required manly skill. When you add in the cost of the oil, the cost of the filter, and the cost and irritation of disposing of the old oil properly, the money saved by changing my own oil is so little that I'd rather just get it done at Wal-Mart or Jiffy Lube and spare myself the trouble.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Ryan — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 22:02:20 -0000

I don't think this was mentioned...

The jack that comes with your car is lousy and not 100% safe, protect yourself and your rotors and when mounting the spare lay the wheel you just removed under the sill of the car so that if the jack collapses the car will land on the wheel and not you.

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Ales — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:52:59 -0000

And this other nice thing: http://tinyurl.com/6za2wv

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Ales — Sat, 08 Nov 2008 04:51:28 -0000

See either:

Titán Exhaust , gato de coche , inflable: http://tinyurl.com/6fh7e8
Titan Exhaust, 'cat car', inflatable: http://tinyurl.com/5mlp6k

Re: How To Change A Flat Tire | The Art of Manliness

Joel — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:18:35 -0000

One other thing that wasn't mentioned, but is quite important, is to regularly check the condition of the spare. I've been personally caught out by this once, and been caught out again in a friend's car. In both cases, the car had been bought second-hand, and the spare was very badly worn, probably because the previous owner was just being cheap and just replaced a worn tire with the spare. In my friend's case, the spare was so worn that the canvas was showing, absolutely not road legal. In my case, the spare was not as bad, but still looked pretty bad, still probably not road legal. Luckily that flat was in the carpark at work, and it wasn't right at the end of the day, so I took a work car to the closest garage and got them to replace it on the spot.

The other point is that "manly strength" isn't really required to get lug nuts off if you are having trouble, just smart application of physics. Most vehicles come with a L shaped lug wrench, making smart application of physics easy. Just attach the wrench to the lug nut with the handle parallel (or close to parallel) to the ground, and pointing to the left as you are facing the wheel. Then stand on the lug wrench with one foot, and do a bit of bouncing with all your weight. It should move, but be very careful you don't fall over once it suddenly moves. I don't think this method would be suitable for the older X shaped lug wrenches, as there is a possibility that the weld in the middle may break, leaving you probably injured, with the nut still in place, and without a lug wrench.