Fiere Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Alright, so I know nothing about cars. Here's my question: I got a flat tire recently, so I put the spare on (about the limit of my abilities), and I apparently drove on it too long, because it just went flat on me. The question is, is changing a normal tire like changing a spare, and thus something I could do, or do I have to get the tire place to put it on for me? Also, I've got it currently parked in a lot on campus. I'm guessing it is, but is it a really bad idea to slowly drive home on the flat, and park it there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fīv Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Don't drive it home, that can bend your phat Rims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeleeCrazy Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 yes changing a normal tire is pretty much the same process...it's just you have to have the new tire to put on. and do not drive on a flat...whether or not you have nice rims, it's not good to do. But better get it done soon, if they tow it it'll cost you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MeleeCrazy Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 depends on the tools you have to work with. If you have a cheap jack i wouldn't suggest it. If you put on a spare you should be able to do the real thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheNewGuy Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I wouldn't drive home on a flat if it can be avoided. you need a new tire on the rim of the non-spare tire. you do that on the tire place. then just put the new tire back, just like you put on the spare. also, if the other tires are a bit worn, it is a bad idea to only put on one new tire. you should change them all, or at least the one on the other side. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Acerbity Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Get it towed, put a new tire on it. Future advice: When you get a flat tire and have to use the spare, drive it straight home, or take it to the tire shop. Don't keep riding on it; it's not what it's meant for Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crypticant Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Unless your spare is a full size wheel, like on my truck. Most cars, however, have the "donut" tire. Max speed for a donut is supposed to be 55 MPH, and as they said before, if you have to use the donut, take it straight to the tire place and get your old tire patched and remounted. Most places only charge a few bucks to patch a hole (if it's a hole, and not a blown tire) and will usually remount it for a few bucks as well. Generally for a flat due to a nail or something, you'll be out around 20 bucks tops. If you have a blown tire, you have a lot of problems, meaning you have to get a whole new tire. Yeah, and don't drive on a flat. You will destroy your rim, and that will cost you even more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chayesh Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Personally, I would have checked the tire already and plugged the hole most likely. Whatever you do, don't drive on either flat. You can reinflate most flats with a can of 'fixaflat' or something similar and that will get you where you need to go, provided it isn't a blow out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizz Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Also.... in the interest of saving money and not paying for a tow. Leave the car, grab the wheel with the flat, and have a buddy drive you down to the tire shop. They will fix/install a new tire and you can take it back and mount it yourself. That will save you $50-$100 for a tow. If the rest of your tires are worn, you might as well have them all changed once the car is mobile. (And always check your spare to make sure it hasn't gone flat everytime you change your oil.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fiere Posted August 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 The main problem in getting a permanent fix is I got in a car accident a while ago and screwed up that one area of the car, which is/was what is destroying my tires. They were scraping against something in the wheel area. Not so much a problem now, as it was cosmetic and we took it off, but I'd rather wait for the whole insurance thing to figure itself out before I do anything. I was thinking I could get a used tire, put it on myself, and then drive it home. Anyways, thanks for everything, and let me know if the previous is a bad idea, will you? You guys are great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zavero Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 Are you guys seriously suggesting he get a tow for a flat tire? I should smack the lot of you. It's a simple fix if you have a friend or something who can help you to drive you to a tire place. As was already stated. If you don't have the tools to change a flat, you shouldn't be driving a car. If you do not know how to change a basic flat, you shouldn't be driving a car. Tow is only for a last resort unless your car just isn't running for whatever mechanical problem you are having. Also, if you think leaving it in some school parking lot is what you will do, you might think again. Depends on the school, they might just tow it away and impound it, to which you will be out the pocket very badly. You might want to inform them you are leaving the car in their parking lot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iusedtobesomebody Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 and also, remember that once you use fix-a-flat on a tire, if it gets another puncture they will not be able to patch it. that's why i would never recommend fix-a-flat to anyone. however, in a pinch, it could come in handy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Forsaken Posted August 2, 2006 Report Share Posted August 2, 2006 I always carried the plugs...did good enough for a nail puncture or along those lines. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dizz Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Those are great, but Fiere said he's not talented mechanically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chayesh Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Are you guys seriously suggesting he get a tow for a flat tire? I should smack the lot of you. It's a simple fix if you have a friend or something who can help you to drive you to a tire place. As was already stated. If you don't have the tools to change a flat, you shouldn't be driving a car. If you do not know how to change a basic flat, you shouldn't be driving a car. Tow is only for a last resort unless your car just isn't running for whatever mechanical problem you are having. Also, if you think leaving it in some school parking lot is what you will do, you might think again. Depends on the school, they might just tow it away and impound it, to which you will be out the pocket very badly. You might want to inform them you are leaving the car in their parking lot. His point was that the spare is now flat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warpnow Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 I would tend to agree not to get it towed. Get a friend to drive you to a store, Wal-Mart sells tires. Buy a tire. Go put it on. Drive away. I know nothing about cars, so the whole "its better change them all" may be true, I'm not sure. But a tow is going to cost you and isn't necessary. Just get someone to take you to buy a tire and then put it on, like a spare. Unless you have a strange car, you can do it yourself. there are some car makers who make their tires unable to come off without a special key, but that's rare. Edit: I am pretty sure the answer to your original question is Yes, it is the same changing a normal tire as a flat. Just using a real tire. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chayesh Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 Assuming you mean take the flat to the store, have them mount a new tire and then go put it on, yes. If it is a front wheel, you usually want to change them at the same time, or rotate both back tires to the front and mount the new tire on the rear. You usually want your steering tires to be a "matched" set as uneven treadwear will cause your car to be out of alignment (the new tire's tread will pull more strongly than the older worn tire on the other side). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iusedtobesomebody Posted August 3, 2006 Report Share Posted August 3, 2006 if all else fails, and you remain mechanically challenged, get a AAA membership. they will tow you up to 4 times a year for free, i believe. they will also jimmy your door open if you turn the car on, get out to scrape the ice from your windows and then realize you locked the door by habit. but i don't know about that one personally. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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