Most of us use them every day, but we’re getting a bit apathetic when it comes to change.
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It used to be that changing a tyre was a life skill everyone should learn, but it is becoming more of a rarity these days.
Jeff Lange has been working at Wagga Motors for 47 years as a road service patrolman for the NRMA and said he gets called out to change tyres more often these days compared to when he started roadside service in 1968.
“We get uni students – a bunch of them get together and try to change a tyre and the car ends up on the ground,” he said.
“It’s a wonder they don’t get crushed.
“It’s because of some of the dodgy jacks that you get now.
“If you’re not trained to do it, you are risking hurting yourself or damaging the vehicle.
“I can change it in a matter of minutes.”
“Years ago there was an expectation (to be able to change a tyre), but not so much anymore.”
It is more important having this skill in rural areas, as mobile reception can let you down at times, leaving you on your own to fix what is a relatively simple problem.
If you are stranded on the side of the road with no mobile service, Mr Lange said if you did not know how to change a tyre, the best thing to do is to get a passerby to travel on and ring for you when they come into service.
Mr Lange said the NRMA in Wagga was called out to at least two or three tyre changes each day, sometimes more.
“There’s such a major building program around Wagga,” he said
“Nails and screws are dropping off builders’ trucks everywhere and ending up in car tyres. It’s so common.”
Another thing people do is use the lug wrench the incorrect way.
Instead of loosening the nut by pushing down, a lot of people try to do the job by pulling upwards, which can lead to injured backs.
“I can’t get the message across to people – use gravity and your back’s safe.”
Top tips
Safety first
Pull over in a safe area and on a surface that is hard and flat to change it. You should also turn on your car's hazard lights. Ensure the car is in 'park' and apply the handbrake. For extra safety, place a chock under one of the wheels on the opposite side of the car to the flat tyre.
Points to remember
- Use your body weight rather than the strength of your arms to loosen and tighten the wheel nuts.
- When you place your flat tyre in the boot, remember to secure it to the car. Source: NRMA
Spacesaver tyres are another issue altogether, Mr Lange said.
“They’re terrible – I call them wheelbarrow wheels,” he said.
But they are better than some cars, which don’t have a spare tyre in the vehicle at all.
“Some manufacturers only provide a compressor,” Mr Lange said.
“Picture yourself on a Saturday – you’re out at Hay on your way to a wedding and you get a big bolt through your tyre.
“That’s the end of the vehicle until the next week. The car has to go on to a tow truck – what do you do with the passengers, you’re stranded.”
“All because the manufacturer hasn’t put a spare in.”
“It shouldn’t be allowed to happen.”
