Flat tyre - No spare

subjecttocontract

One major downside of a spare wheel is that larger ones can be very heavy. I have a car with 20 inch rims and a steel spacesaver that is very, very heavy. I can only just about manage to lift it out of the boot on my own. So, I could change a flat but others might not be able to lift it without help.

Iceweasel

Changing a tyre at the roadside can be quite a challenge.
Changing a wheel - not so much.😃

EssexExile

subjecttocontract said:

One major downside of a spare wheel is that larger ones can be very heavy. I have a car with 20 inch rims and a steel spacesaver that is very, very heavy. I can only just about manage to lift it out of the boot on my own. So, I could change a flat but others might not be able to lift it without help.

Yes, I couldn't lift my spare out, I'd have to get the rescue man out to do it. Having said that, I've been driving for about 55 years and I can't remember ever having to change a tyre at the roadside.

wiggers

I've changed wheels at the roadside but the issue is usually being unable to undo the nuts with the pathetic wrench they provide. Or breaking the weld the last tyre fitters used,,,

subjecttocontract

wiggers said:

I've changed wheels at the roadside but the issue is usually being unable to undo the nuts with the pathetic wrench they provide. Or breaking the weld the last tyre fitters used,,,

My understanding is that the length of the wrench supplied is to ensure you don't over tighten the nuts above their recommended torque. I always make a point of undoing wheel nuts and re-tightening them whenever I get a new car or after a garage visit.

fatbelly

I carry a spider type wheel wrench with me as you can get more leverage with it.

400ixl

Don't over tighten the nuts / bolts in the first place and you won't have an issue.

If anyone has done anything with the wheels on my car then I will always crack the nuts off and tighten them to a correct level when home. That way I know they will be able to be undone when I need them to be.

facade

Mine are 10 daNm*, which is somewhat hard to undo with the 6" long tool (I hesitate to call it a wheel brace) when you are Old. In my 30s I could have done it.

*it is French. The French invented the metric system and have been using da- since the 1790s, it isn't a prefix we commonly use in the UK.

subjecttocontract

facade said:

Mine are 10 daNm*, which is somewhat hard to undo with the 6" long tool (I hesitate to call it a wheel brace) when you are Old. In my 30s I could have done it.

*it is French. The French invented the metric system and have been using da- since the 1790s, it isn't a prefix we commonly use in the UK.

Well if you have problems using the wheel wrench supplied its very easy to purchase an extending one on Ebay for under £10.

photome

EssexExile said:

subjecttocontract said:

One major downside of a spare wheel is that larger ones can be very heavy. I have a car with 20 inch rims and a steel spacesaver that is very, very heavy. I can only just about manage to lift it out of the boot on my own. So, I could change a flat but others might not be able to lift it without help.

Yes, I couldn't lift my spare out, I'd have to get the rescue man out to do it. Having said that, I've been driving for about 55 years and I can't remember ever having to change a tyre at the roadside.

I think you have been lucky, I have changed many wheels at the roadside over the years in 50 years  of driving.