Following On From Dave's Thread.

[gness]

Can you change a tyre on your car?

We grew up knowing how to do basic things to our motor bikes and cars.... and my kids were taught how to change a tyre before letting them loose on the roads.

A few years ago two female friends and I had a puncture on the A1. We rolled into the amazingly close garage and started to empty the boot to get at the spare.
I can't tell you how many chaps came and offered to do it for us!

Did we let them do it?....Well the dishy mechanic from Birmingham who wanted to help wasn't going to get away easily.....☺☺☺

[Tilly2]

I know what to do but can never get the nuts off!

[Buenchico]

I know the theory but I've never done it. Anyway, now that wheel nuts are routinely tightened with power tools, I doubt that I'd have the strength to undo them myself.

[gness]

I've had more than a few comments on the strength of my hands, Tilly...x

[boxtops]

Nope. I would have to stand and look helpless :-(

[gness]

Chris...when I need brute strength I conjure up an image of.....hmm... perhaps keep that to myself....☻

[Tilly2]

Well, you don't need a man with a power tool then, gness. Oh, hang on........

[paddywak]

I can do most of the basic stuff but now a days I tend to rely on the nice man in a van from the R.A.C.

[cupid04]

goatman?

[aelmpvw]

the red bull team can change four tyres in just over 2 seconds, how hard can it be?

[kvalidir]

Yes, part of our general education along with other things like a simple service, understanding why cars wont start and what to look for when they don't etc.

[rockyracoon]

I've changed the tyres on my old cars but I'm not sure I'd want to try it on this one, I used to do oil changes as well, but again, I just about know where to top the oil up on this one, let alone change it.

[gness]

Boxy....my daughter spent part of her gap year in the wilds of Canada with a family.

One night they borrowed the parents car to drive to Calgary in the snow and had a puncture....

The chance of anyone passing wasn't great so the daughter supervised the changing of the wheel .
Later had a chat with the host "Mom" who was amazed a teenager could do that but really it's quite an important thing to know how to do...and certainly if you live in a remote area.

Though there are times when looking helpless is an advantage...☺

[Frank97]

Yes, no problem, although I did have a bit of a shock the last time I had to, upon discovery that the spare looked like it should be on a pram.

[sunny-dave]

Can do it - will do it if the location is safe - but major roads and/or motorways it's just too dangerous with all the HGVs whistling past.

That's why I pay my RACAAGreenFlagGEM subscription.

[Prudie]

If my life depended on it I might muddle through but other than that I wouldn't even try.

[Tilly2]

I did a ladies car mechanics course when I was in my thirties. I loved it.

Now nobody cleans spark plugs do they?
My car doesn't have a spare wheel. It has a re-inflator canister and I call out the AA man to do it, if I have a puncture.

[rockyracoon]

"That's why I pay my RACAAGreenFlagGEM subscription."

Exactly! No point having a dog and barking yourself ;)

[sherrardk]

I could do it in theory but my car is very big (so might defeat me) and I would worry about putting the tyre back on tightly enough. Fortunately I now know where the spare is after watching the break down man nearly have a nervous break down looking for it (it lives underneath the front of the car).

[gness]

Oh I don't know.....I can call someone out....like when the car was stuck in the garage with a flat battery....even I can't push a car uphill...

But I do love the satisfaction of doing things myself.....☺

[rockyracoon]

Doh moment, my car doesn't have a spare well as the tyres are run flats ;)