Should women know how to change a tire in 2024?

[coachTanthony]

Yes equality is here

No Men should still help them out

Other ( Here me out in the comments )

[BeeNee]

I agree, we should, however, infamously when I got my first car, my dad, being a good dad, was talking me through all the steps to change a tire, and then he said it's better that you learn by doing, and so had me try it. I COULD NOT remove the lug nuts using every bit of strength I had. Of course, my dad was like, step aside, let me show you how...he could not get them off using all his strength. My neighbor happened to be around who basically spends his life in the gym, and he couldn't get them off. So we actually took the car into a shop, and the guy at the shop was like, these were tightened way too tight (it was a used car, so it wasn't by us), and you wouldn't have been able to get them off without a machine.

So now....ever since I was 18, I've had Triple A, LOL!

[BazookaTrouper]

I currently work in a tire shop. While I technically COULD use a breaker bar to remove lug nuts, once you get used to using a pneumatic air wrench it's hard to go back. (by the way, always use a torque wrench for putting them back on)

As for the lug nuts being hard to take off, usually there's two reasons. One is they're rusted on. A few times I tried using a air gun to take them off, and even my Snap-On air gun at full power wasn't enough to take them off. I had to use my 3' breaker bar with a cheater pipe at the end to break them loose because they were rusted on.

The second possibility is some numbnuts torqued them on using an impact socket instead of a pneumatic torque stick. Usually it's either lazy or incompetent techs or arrogant service writers/assistant managers doing that based on my observations.

[purplepoppy]

Only time I had a puncture was in a supermarket carpark. I knew how to change so set about the task only to find the nuts too tight. Spotting a struggling teen girl the men queued up to show off their strength and one by one they slinked away defeated. It was like watching men try and pull the sword from the stone.

[coachTanthony]

lol.

[BeeNee]

Same thing happened to me when learning, and that is the best description. All this ego/testosterone, like of course "you" can't do it, but then they can't do it either. Priceless. This is the part of the story that they leave out that sometimes it actually is too difficult to change a tire that has nothing to do with us being girls/women.

[7Phoenix7]

😂😂

[RingOfFire]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Men have a natural instinct to protect women.

[KrakenAttackin]

@purplepoppy. So you criticize these men for trying to help you. Got it. Mental note, don't help struggling teen girl with tire change.

[OfDeath]

The nuts are actually always “too tight”. You have to give the wrench a few taps with a hammer or your foot.

Source: Having changed many tyres.

[purplepoppy]

Lucky eventually a real man turned up

[OfDeath]

Yeah there is always one somewhere. I can remember the first time I ever had to change a tyre. It happened because the air pump at the service station was broken and it deflated instead of pumping up one of my tyres. I was a fresh driver at this point. First car and still on a provisional licence. I tried to change the tyre and same as you, I couldn’t undo the nuts. So I go into the store and get the guy, he comes out and also can’t get them off. I lost my shit at him about how the machine should’ve had an out of order sign. He went back in to serve customers and told me he did all he could and he didn’t appreciate being yelled at lol (I wasn’t really yelling).

So I’m left there on my own and just went back to trying to wrench those nuts as hard as I could. Out of sheer anger and adrenaline, I actually got one of them off (yes I detect innuendo). Anyway, as luck would have it, as I was trying the same thing on the next nut, a real man saw what I was doing, walked over and showed me how to get them off. I’ve done it that way ever since and you have to do it when you put them back on too. They are meant to be very tight.

[lightbulb27]

the Bible says "do unto others as you would have them do to you".

So I'd expect someone to stop and help.

Most women are going to drive by... we all know why. Not all, most. I've had some women stop and ask if I was ok.

Most men are going to drive by, they are busy. But some stop.

Do what you feel is right in the scenario.

In general, everyone should know how to change a tire... and that's why they shouldn't wear high heels. They #$@#!@ at the shop over torque and sometimes strip those lug nuts. Getting them off requires standing on the short wrench to get enough force. Ya can't do that in high heels.

[RingOfFire]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Men have a natural instinct to protect women.

[RingOfFire]

Sorry posted on wrong comment! That's the second time I did this recently! 😏

[RingOfFire]

I agree with you that you have a moral obligation to help people when possible, especially women, children and those who are not capable of defending themselves in distress or danger.

[lightbulb27]

@RingOfFire cool! But do you agree anyone wearing high heels should not try to balance on a slippery short tire bar attempting to generate enough force to loosen a lug nut? Dang surgeon general should post a warning on that... somebody gonna get hurt...😹.

[RingOfFire]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Agreed! 👍

[ImHere22]

Fool, be quiet and sit down with your boomer-back-in-my-day over generalization B. S.
I'm a guy, and you won't catch me stopping at all for anyone I see on the side of the road. Know why? Take one educated guess, Elmer.

Because

1) I'm not a goddamn mechanic or roadside assistance; what the absolute F am I going to be able to do to help someone who needs a damn tow truck?

2) the one time I decide to be an angel in disguise and pull over, well just my luck that'll be the time the person on the side of the road immediately becomes people, and I'm shot, killed, and left in the middle of nowhere. So thanks for that Mr. ICanQuoteABibleVerse

also, 3) What does "do unto others.. to you" have to do with stopping to assist someone on the side of the road? That motivational poster office saying ripped from your little holy book is about not being a freaking dick and treating everyone you encounter with respect. I believe by not stopping, by not wasting the stranded person's time and focus (maybe a vehicle that can actually help sees me pulling over and decides to keep going, therefore prolonging the stranded person even longer), I am actually doing better than you, with your terrible advice and misinterpretation of a centuries old tome.

Oh and 4) Where's the evidence for your assumptions regarding men's and women's behavior? "Most men" you don't speak for most men; I don't remember voting for you. Say 'I would' because you can only speak for yourself. Keep "men" out of your mouth, bro.

And dude, I bet you a $100 and half your little bible that you can't wear high heels at all. I know I can't, and I'm not even going to try. So let whomever wants to try and can pull it off, do it. Suddenly you're also the Fashion Police? Just don't shoot anybody, White Man. Ever wonder why women are wearing their heels at the auto shop? BECAUSE THE AUTO SHOP IS NOT THEIR NORMAL DESTINATION! THEY ARE TRYING TO GET TO WORK!!

My god, you are... dumb.

[RingOfFire]

/\/\/\/\/\ imagizer.imageshack.com/img924/6796/HpHmtI.gif

Who is this guy a spokesqueer for the LGBTQ community? He's clearly a 'Q.'

[lightbulb27]

@ImHere22 wow, did you eat something you're allergic to? I'm being funny but serious too.
I've stopped a few times to help people out, informed people of issues with their car (tire, tail lights out). I've had people stop to ask if I was ok... on my bicycle. Most people are decent. So far, I have not been murdered.
It does happen though..., there are people who are nuts... ya know what I mean?
What I've done more than that is call 911 and inform them of a disabled car. My reward is in heaven. Jesus called 911 quite a few times, aka the Holy Spirit and God.
I use my common sense. If you are using fear, then don't do it.
Yea, I don't speak for all men, it's a generalization based upon what I've seen of humans. Some people stop to help animals as well.
If women are going to be trained to change tires, they better be going to the gym or carry some flat shoes in the car. I'm telling you as someone that works on cars, tough to get those bolts off! So carry flat shoes in the car.
good grief...
or just call AAA (not AA... they are usually too drunk)
or their boyfriend
don't even get me started on where to find the tire irons...

[WhyohWhy69]

That’s just not how a lot of modern people are. Men like to use skills that they predominantly have to make fun of and think less of a woman.

[lightbulb27]

@WhyohWhy69 were big and strong and makes us feel good to use our brute strength to help. I had two huge guys lift my small car out of the snow one time. was a long time ago. diff generation.
All the problems started when men started drinking "light" beer.

[WhyohWhy69]

Their parents spoiled them horribly.

[WhyohWhy69]

@ImHere22 or maybe you’re just inadequate. And no 50 people with guns don’t come out of the woodwork out of nowhere lol. That’s okay though.

[lightbulb27]

@WhyohWhy69 I'm lost..🤷‍♂️

[KrakenAttackin]

@RingOfFire So women are weak and need our protection?

[RingOfFire]

It's more like women WANT our protection.

[OlderAndWiser]

Yes, women should know how to remove a flat and install a spare tire, but guys should still help them out. If your tires were last installed in a tire shop that uses impact wrenches, those lug nuts can be extremely difficult to get loosened. And I would be concerned about girls not getting the lug nuts sufficiently tight when they install the spare.

Along these same lines, a guy should know how to wash his laundry and how to cook, but it sure is nice to have a lady help with those things!

[WhyohWhy69]

That’s just the thing, men don’t care because they are angry at women for demanding to be treated like a human with dignity. That’s just the way it is. It’s mainly guys 45 and under who are that way.

[sage2021]

Not only should they know how to change a tire, but she needs to know where to get the tire. Cars used to come with a spare tire. But last time I looked in the trunk of a new car, there wasn't a spare tire in the car.
Also, she definitely needs to learn how to drive a stick shift car 🚗 not every car is automatic.
One time we got in a bad way with the driver and he couldn't drive the car because he was hurt. His car was a stick shift. Thank goodness I taught myself how to drive Mom's '63 Chevy Impala in San Francisco with all their huge hills.
I also taught each one of my girlfriends how to drive a stick. It was fun learning 😅

[HawkPerception]

It doesn't hurt to know how to change a tire just like it doesn't hurt to know how to cook. They're practical skills. And many skills, including how to change a tire are stuff you can look up on YouTube and Google easily nowadays. However I would say that say that changing a tire is a pretty physical task that can require a bit of strength that more women than men don't have, so I would say it's still more of a man's job. But there's no harm in having the know-how or if you want to do it yourself, to do it.

[msc545]

There is one physical task involved in changing a tire - and that is loosening the lug nuts on the wheel that is holding the flat tire on the car. Fit the lug wrench on the lug nut firmly, and step on the end of the horizontal bar or handle of the wrench to loosen it. Rinse and repeat.

[msc545]

Even a woman can do this.

[HawkPerception]

Well then I take that back. I don't own a car nor drive as of yet, but I expected it to be a bit more physically intensive than that. In that case, yeah girls should learn it 😂

[BeeNee]

You should read my comment. It's what happened to me. Knowledge is power, always, but the physical bit is not for everyone.

[WhyohWhy69]

@msc545 no actually if they were out on in a shop, they are very difficult to get off.

[WhyohWhy69]

It’s so easy for men, isn’t it? Car care and all.

[msc545]

Okay if you require detail then it's like this. You put one foot on the handle of the lug wrench you've already placed on the nut on the wheel holding the flat tire. With the other hand, you lean against the car so you don't fall on your butt and you push down with a foot that's on the lug wrench. If that doesn't do it then you literally boost yourself up so that you are standing on the lug wrench with one foot and leaning on the car with one hand. This is not as hard as it might sound and it works every time. No matter how hard that lug nut is on there, it will yield to the pressure of your entire body weight on the lug wrench. Even if you're a woman and you weigh 100 lb. This will work.

[msc545]

People that change tires are just put them on the car to begin with tighten the lug nuts with a thing called an impact wrench. It's a power tool, but it doesn't exert enough force to make it impossible to remove the lug nut because if it got to that point it would actually break the lug that the nut is screwed onto. That would be a huge problem. If you do what I suggested which is not hard to do, I guarantee lug nut will loosen and you'll be able to remove it. Do that with each of the lug nuts and you can pull the wheel off along with a flat tire and stick it in your trunk and put a new nice unflat tire that you've removed from the trunk. Otherwise called the spare tire right on the lugs and put the nuts on the lugs lower the car on the jack and you are all done and ready to go. This is not that difficult to do and in fact is quite simple if somewhat dirty.

[WindAtMyBack]

Wouldn't hurt. But needing to change a tire is a heck of a lot less likely than it was 40-50 yeas ago. Cars in general are a heck of a lot more reliable than they were 40-50 years ago. Plus, we didn't have cell phones then.

Personally I think everyone should know the basics of car maintenance and repair. I also think everyone should own a basic set of tools.

I always carry tools and jumper cables in my car. Just habit. I've used them quite a few times, usually on someone else's car.

[GuyAnswersGirls123]

I think it's a valuable skill for any adult who owns cars to possess, although I still prefer that those of us who are capable offer a helping hand in the same sense that it doesn't require someone to be absent the knowledge of opening a door to courteously hold it open for them, or fail to possess the ability to get back up to offer each other a hand when someone has fallen.

I wouldn't want to live in a society where women, or anyone for that matter, takes so much pride in their self-sufficiency that they get offended when anyone courteously offers to help them out. "Thanks, I got this!" is fine to me, but I wouldn't want to live in a society where everyone starts to respond, "I can do it myself! I don't need your help!"

I don't think we should lose our protective instinct to help each other out even if everyone becomes extremely self-sufficient.

[robhazelnut]

It's reasonable for snyone to know how to change a tire, and fairly simple. Tip for those who don't want to use arm strength to turn the tire-iron: step or steadily stomp on it instead to loosen the nuts, and if you trust your balance, jumping on it lightly works quickly.

There are those who pretend to need help on the road as a form of trap, as well as those who may try to take advantage of someone who actually needs help. Such antagonistic personalities are potential road hazards and make services like AAA more valuable.

[JacobJordan]

My wife doesn't know how because I do. And I personally will never stop to help a woman with anything least not American women. Seen how they treat people enough times that regardless of the situation they on their own. Not saving them, not helping them they aren't worth it

[WhyohWhy69]

Well I can certainly see why they gave you that impression. Look at how you treat American women. Shame on you for being unkind to those who are. Go to hell.

[WhyohWhy69]

You’re at the age were men like you turn into losers.

[JacobJordan]

@WhyohWhy69 lol I treat everyone very well even when they treat me wrong. American women are just not worth the trouble anymore. Not about to risk one of them accusing me of rape because I had to give her cpr. Nah they get what they deserve for how they treat people. Been happily married for a long time and not about to throw that away. Besides American women love saying they are "strong and independent and don't need no man"

[JacobJordan]

@WhyohWhy69 what happened? you talked all that shit then when I responded you went silent. Did you realize you made a baseless assumption and are now embarrassed you got called out?

[FreyaRed]

This is a part of theoretical exams when you make driver license in EU. However it's pointless.
Most hybrid and electric cars don't have reserve tires. Instead a repair kit that doesn't demand much effort but brain lard. Weaker boys will capitulate either if they have to open rusty wheel bolts/screws on older cars with short emergency wrench delivered with a car.

[KittygosMeoWW]

Yes in case we’re alone and need to get it done! Roadside takes forever sometimes. Having said that though I will never change a tire if there’s a man next to me again. I used to check my exs oil, engine, and helped him fix a tire when we were stranded.

[AmyHew1tt]

I think everyone should know how to change a tire. Honestly, I haven't met many men who know how either. Practical skills are dying out in both genders.

[AnusNdaPainus]

No stupid and lazy people just exist in every era

[Kingofkings1992]

If you’re referring to males your age, 19 old males are not really men. They’re kids

[AmyHew1tt]

@Kingofkings1992 Them too, but I mean even most grown-up men I know of. Unless they work with cars, most of them are pretty clueless.

[exitseven]

I taught all my kids how to change a tire, hoe to change their oil, how to jump start a car and inflate a tire and other helpful skills.

[wiltingrosepetal]

It's not about equality, it's about adulthood 😭 you won't have a man with you every time you drive so you need to be an intelligent driver. Why own a car if you can't manage it?

[Summeroflove]

I think it’s good for anyone to know. I’m glad for parents who teach their kids how to do things like change a tire and not sit there not knowing what to do.

I mean. Having people stop. Most are well meaning people. But who knows what someone’s intentions are. As well as sometimes nobodt will stop and you’re on your own.

You can have services like AAA. But it’s still good to know how to change a tire. Especially if there is a emergency

[DeeDeeDeVour]

I know how but "equality" has nothing to do with it.

Dad insisted that I learn how to help myself in situations like this.

Driving isn't the only thing young women should learn about motoring before getting that coveted drivers license.

[molonski2]

Well , sure but I have some issues here..

I can't recall the LAST time I changed a flat tyre , I reckon I was 25 , so I probably need a refresher course myself.

I think in 2024 , everyone possible should be trained in this task , and I'm sure that if you are not doing all the time , a refresher lesson would be of benefit.

[slatyb]

Many modern cars don't have spares. The ones that do come with cheap-ass scissor jacks that are unstable and useless one is stopped on level ground. Almost no one carries a proper floor jack in their car. What do they all carry? A cell phone to call for service. This is sufficient unless one is driving in remote areas.

[electromagnetic]

More than just changing a tire.
oil changes, winter tires and how to not get scammed, whipper fluid.

[Red_Arrow]

I used to change the oil myself, but with cars so low that pone cannot get under them, I just take it to an oil change place. Unless you have separate wheels for the tires, switching the regular and winter tires requires equipment to change which tires are on the wheels. (And I assume you mean wiper fluid, not whipper fluid.)

[BazookaTrouper]

For changing tires, you need a tire machine and a balancer. Typically only auto shops can afford those and they aren't straightforward to learn how to use (either that or I'm just a really slow learner)

Luckily oil changes are easy if you're able-bodied enough to move around, though how easy or hard this is to do depends on what make of car you got. If you got a Honda, Kia, or Mitsubishi, it should be easy. If you got an Audi, Jeep, or Chevy... it's not going to be a fun experience.

[TheLightningRick]

I would stop to help personally, there is not enough kindness to go around anymore. If they film a Tik Tok however and make it be Toxic Femininity and stuff then I’ll have a problem with it but if someone needs help please help them if you can that should be the best thing anyone can do

[UnknownAdvisor2024]

I believe women should learn to change a tire but honestly there are certain things that in my opinion men should do for his woman. But if it's just in general should a woman be able to change a tire I think yes because it's not very hard to do.. just my opinion

[BazookaTrouper]

men are obligated to give their women the succ

[TrueConfection]

Other... AAA should know how to change a tire.

[BoobMan]

If you know how to read, you know how to change a tire. The freaking instructions are RIGHT THERE in the spare tire kit that comes with your car. I didn't "know" how to change a tire the first time I had a flat. I just pulled over, popped the trunk, took out the kit and followed the instructions.