Chicago: robe or housecoat?

Message Bookmarked

Bookmark Removed

Not all messages are displayed: show all messages (1881 of them)

Hey, this is a really dumb question, but considering my expertise in this area is pretty much nil, hopefully you'll forgive me.

So I came home the other day to find that my car, which was parked on the street for the five days I was gone, has a flat tire. Like hugely flat. Putting on a spare is out of the question, because a) I don't even remember if I have one, and b) even if I did, I wouldn't know how to put it on (last time this happened, Kelsey and our friend Aaron did it for me).

My question is a two-parter: 1) Can ANY auto mechanic fix or replace a flat, or does it have to be a tire place? Because the Lawrence-Ashland Auto whatever is right around the corner. 2) I know it's a big no-no to drive with a flat, but if it's really just a block or two away, would it make sense to drive it to Lawrence-Ashland, assuming they can take care of it, instead of calling a tow truck? If they can't take care of it, then I'm gonna have to call a tow truck anyway.

Unless 3) What if I drove it a block to a gas station and then tried to fill up the tire with enough air to last me until I could get it to a proper tire place? (I think there's a Just Tires at Lawrence and Broadway, ne c'est pas?)

Thanks in advance. I don't know what I'd do without you guys.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:15 (twenty years ago)

Oh dear. I don't know much about cars either, but if it were me, I would go somewhere, buy a brand new tire, then have someone help me replace the dead one and would definitely NOT DRIVE THE CAR anywhere until that was done. I don't know about salvaging a tire that's that flat, but I also don't know much. That's just what I would do.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:19 (twenty years ago)

Especially if the tire place is close enough to walk, you could easily roll the new tire home. Is it bad to get one new tire though? Should it be symmetrical? I dunno, cars aren't my bag.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:20 (twenty years ago)

PS -- Sarah, that song is top notch!

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:24 (twenty years ago)

1. Go and buy one of those tires that are just for emergencies and not for long-distance.
2. Look up on interweb/ask friendly guy at garage how to change tire on roadside (note: you will need a jack but there might be one in yr car -- don't cars come with those things?). I should think the garage would help you out w/ advice and maybe even loan of jack if you're bringing it to their place for service.
3. Put on temporary tire and drive to service station. With any luck it'll be a hole they can patch and you won't have to buy any new full-sized tire, because you don't want to change just one, you should really do at least two (front or back) and it gets complicated and expensive.
4. Pay bill.

To be honest you probaby COULD just drive around the corner but if a bit of the flat tire gets caught under the edge of the rim with the whole weight of the car on it, further damage to tire could result. Serious driving on a flat tire will fuck the rim, make it all beat up and not round; this is more expensive and more of a pain to replace than a tire is. But it probably wouldn't happen in a couple of blocks.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:30 (twenty years ago)

NOTE: I HAVE NEVER CHANGED A CAR TIRE. Someone else will have to give step-by-step on that topic.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:31 (twenty years ago)

I feel like the answer to this question is some kind of personality test.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:34 (twenty years ago)

That's just what seems sensible to me, I haven't ever actually HAD a flat, as I said. The rims on my Jetta used to leak slowly but if I put air in the tires two weeks or so they were fine.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:37 (twenty years ago)

ask friendly guy at garage how to change tire on roadside (note: you will need a jack but there might be one in yr car -- don't cars come with those things?). I should think the garage would help you out w/ advice and maybe even loan of jack if you're bringing it to their place for service.

This is far too emasculating!

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:39 (twenty years ago)

FINE. THEN JUST LEAVE YR CAR THERE FOREVER.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:40 (twenty years ago)

You just have to find a crafty way to get a new tire (regular or spare) to where your car is and have someone you know help you put it on -- it's not a lot more complicated than that, is it?

Either that or have someone help you put the spare on (should be under a flap in your trunk) and then go have the flat investigated/replaced.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:42 (twenty years ago)

fixing a flat is not difficult. driving on a flat is not only dangerous to you and other motorists you can really f up the rim which will lead to chronic tire problems.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:43 (twenty years ago)

Asking them how to change the tire is emasculating but paying them to do it isn't?

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:47 (twenty years ago)

You just have to find a crafty way to get a new tire (regular or spare) to where your car is and have someone you know help you put it on -- it's not a lot more complicated than that, is it?

No, I guess not. But Kelsey moved to Minnesota.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:48 (twenty years ago)

I should take one (1) deep breath, since I've had to crawl under the Jetta at a truck stop in Ohio and use a wire hangar from the coat rack to hold up my exhaust pipe so it couldn't come loose on highway. I mean, I don't really KNOW what I'm doing with any serious auto work, but I was exposed to enough wrenching that at least I don't have a mental block about it -- I'll pretty much just get in there.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:49 (twenty years ago)

I've helped change a tire a couple times. The only part I would be nervous about doing on my own would be the jack, but if someone told me exactly where to put it, I would be cool.

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:51 (twenty years ago)

Please don't die under a car, John.

― Man Man (kenan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:53 (twenty years ago)

I'm gonna go check to see if I have a spare.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:56 (twenty years ago)

You can find all this information on the web, guys! John, what make/model/year of car is it?

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:57 (twenty years ago)

John, it's time you learned how to change a tire, dude! You're lucky that both times your car has been parked & that you weren't stranded in a parking lot or on a highway... THE TIME HAS COME.

― Sweet Tater (kelstarry), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:58 (twenty years ago)

but if someone told me exactly where to put it, I would be cool.

there's ususally a notch in the frame just ahead of the rear tire well or just behind the front tire well where the jack should be placed. consult your owners manual.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Thursday, 4 May 2006 12:58 (twenty years ago)

John, get one of your female friends, like Renee, to ask some guy to help put the new tire on. Meanwhile, you can hide behind a bush a few feet away and be mysterious. Problem solved.

Thanks for listening to my song. I was, um, feeling emotional yesterday.

Today after work I start getting my drillings & fillings. Funzone!

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:00 (twenty years ago)

Below are instructions that look really reasonable -- consult yr car's manual to find out where on the uncarraige you place the jack. With any luck you keep the manual in the glovebox anyway, right? Right?

http://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/303win97/Group3/2245.html

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:01 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, your day of reckoning has come, Juancho. It's time to learn.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:09 (twenty years ago)

time to become a man, think of this as your car mitzvah.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:11 (twenty years ago)

i was gonna say the same thing!

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:11 (twenty years ago)

lol

― Man Man (kenan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:13 (twenty years ago)

"uncarraige" s/b "undercarriage" How's it going, John??

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:13 (twenty years ago)

john can't answer right now, he's pinned under the wheel of his car.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:21 (twenty years ago)

Jesus. John makes me feel like the most butch guy in the world.

John--dollars to all the doughnuts in the world you have one of those solid spares (apt figure of speech, being that they are called "doughnuts") under the lining of your trunk.

I don't understand how people do not know how to fix a flat. It is just one of those things that you know, like how to open a tin can or how to flush a toilet.

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:23 (twenty years ago)

I think John should not attempt this w/out adult supervision. You know that we will get a posting saying "I am writing from my wheelchair which is equipped with a tube that I blow into that allows me to type. How would I have known what a "jack" was?"

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:26 (twenty years ago)

Maybe you could teach all of us one day, Jesse.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:27 (twenty years ago)

Before I could get my real licence and drive the car (truck), my dad made me learn how to change tires, fluids, and spark plugs. I also learned the trick of pouring gas directly into the carb from him. Thanks for helping me create some scary backfires, dad.

How would I have known what a "jack" was?"

Morbid, but hilarious.

― Holy makkara, Toivo! (OutDatWay), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:28 (twenty years ago)

http://www2.latech.edu/~bmagee/303win97/Group3/stuckbmp.JPG

John removes lug nuts.

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:29 (twenty years ago)

fixing a flat and changing a tire are two different things.

― otto midnight (otto midnight), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:30 (twenty years ago)

otto OTM

― Holy makkara, Toivo! (OutDatWay), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:30 (twenty years ago)

Maybe you could teach all of us one day, Jesse.

ouch. Sorry if I was being a sassy Susan.

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:33 (twenty years ago)

Yeah, it was matter of necessity on my car, I just learned how to fix/cope with whatever happened while I owned it. So I've never changed a flat but I had to replace a heater hose in a parking lot once. Changing it was easy, actually -- it was more of a pain to look for the right hose at EVERY auto parts store in town, only to finally admit that VW makes them weird so you HAVE TO buy their proprietary one, and then getting the parts people at the dealership to take me seriously. Then in order to save the antifreeze when I took the hose off, I got a bunch of soda cups from a snack bar and lined them up on the asphalt like Russian dolls. Hee.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:34 (twenty years ago)

Then in order to save the antifreeze when I took the hose off, I got a bunch of soda cups from a snack bar and lined them up on the asphalt like Russian dolls.

This is awesome.

― Holy makkara, Toivo! (OutDatWay), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:37 (twenty years ago)

fixing a flat and changing a tire are two different things.

You're right. I was only referring to changing a tire. Though I can fix a flat as well, either with the kit with the rubber strands and the screwdriver thing (this) or with the spray can.

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:40 (twenty years ago)

I've heard the spray can makes your tire/car dangerous to work on, to the point that some mechanics will refuse your business if fix-a-flat has been used on a tire.

― Holy makkara, Toivo! (OutDatWay), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:43 (twenty years ago)

I was being serious, Jesse. I really have no clue how to do any of that.

― Sarah McLusky (coco), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:44 (twenty years ago)

I will be holding a "changing your tire" clinic this Saturday, using John's car as my guinea pig.

I've heard the spray can makes your tire/car dangerous to work on, to the point that some mechanics will refuse your business if fix-a-flat has been used on a tire.

I've had a can of the spray,but I've only ever used the thing with the strands. Which, by the way, is exactly what they use at most tire repair places for minor punctures.

Also handy, I used to keep an electric air compressor in my car--it hooks up to the cig. lighter.

― Whispy Fandango Triphop (unclejessjess), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:48 (twenty years ago)

Jesse, you're more a manly Mitch than a sassy Susan.

― The Milkmaid (82375538-A) (The Milkmaid), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:51 (twenty years ago)

Renee as cover is a good plan. Don't you think mechanics run into this a lot - women bringing their man's car into the shop?

― Eazy (Eazy), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:56 (twenty years ago)

(photo by Dudu Stinky, btw)

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:57 (twenty years ago)

Oops, I meant to post that on the WDYLL thread.

― Jordan (Jordan), Thursday, 4 May 2006 13:58 (twenty years ago)

GUYS I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK, SORRY I WASN'T AROUND TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS IN A TIMELY MANNER.

First off, I have no spare in the trunk.

John, what make/model/year of car is it?

2000 Mercury Sable

With any luck you keep the manual in the glovebox anyway, right? Right?

Yes, but it was torn to shreds when the car was stolen last fall.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 14:06 (twenty years ago)

The funny thing is, I can't even picture Jesse driving.

― jaymc (jaymc), Thursday, 4 May 2006 14:10 (twenty years ago)

For future reference: www.faqfarm.com/Q/FAQ/646

If you don't have a manual, call yr nearest Mercury dealership and ask them to answer your Q about jack placement.

― Laurel (Laurel), Thursday, 4 May 2006 14:11 (twenty years ago)

Skipping 1781 messages at this point... Click here if you want to load them all.

You must be logged in to post. Please either login here, or if you are not registered, you may register here.