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AIBU?

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Original poster

Not to know what whether or not my car has alloy wheels

189 replies

Rascalls3 · 01/07/2014 18:41

Just been told off by the Green Flag operator because I didn't know if my Mini had standard or alloy wheelsBlush Apparently ( he said ) that as I hold a driving licence I should know ALL about my car!!!! Interested to know how many ladies out there know what a alloy wheel is. My lovely car mechanic has told me that I am the proud owner of four alloy wheels!

OP posts:
Taz1212 · 02/07/2014 16:43

Shed not she'd

Bunbaker · 02/07/2014 16:49

"I'm 5' tall, and find it a bit hmm that so many people don't think they have the strength to do it when I know that I do"

Do you want a medal?

chemenger · 02/07/2014 17:05

How often are you all changing tires? Some of you make it sound like you are doing it every other day. As I said the need has arisen once for me in 25 years of pretty much daily driving, is it really worth mastering a skill that you might need three times in a lifetime? And getting so exercised about other people choosing not to do it? Maybe there should be a Blue Peter badge for tire changing that you can all wear.

(Want to bet I get a puncture on the way home? Must make sure my phone is charged).

ChunkyPickle · 02/07/2014 17:05

Dear God no - I'm just saying that by all means don't change a tyre, but don't dissuade others from giving it a go by suggesting that it requires some kind of super-strength because it really doesn't (generally, if the nuts haven't been over-tightened)

ChunkyPickle · 02/07/2014 17:08

I've had to change tyres on 3 different cars, 4 times in now 14 years of having a license (although I've only owned cars for 1/3rd of that time - so about once a year on average)

It probably depends on how many nails litter the roads where you are - I seem to be pretty unlucky because I've also had 4 windscreen replacements in that time too.

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/07/2014 17:31

We'll I'm nearly 50 and in all the time I've been driving have only needed to change a wheel once. (Friend's husband kindly did it for me).

DH does lots of miles with his jobs and has had quite a few flats. He won't change a wheel by the side of the motorway for obvious safety reasons. Can't say I would be delighted for him to be crawling around in his good suit either (although he often has overalls in the boot).

TinklyLittleLaugh · 02/07/2014 17:37

I'm thinking, is this a skill that's being lauded because it is traditionally a Man Skill? I mean I can do loads of stuff DP isn't very good at. I can't imagine him getting sneered at for that. Being a competent person doesn't mean you have to seek to emulate some macho man.

specialsubject · 02/07/2014 17:42

the point is not about having the ability to change the tyre. The point (where the thread started) is having the basic knowledge about the car you drive so that you can get a problem fixed. Which means knowing what kind of wheels it has, where the locking nut key is (if needed) and so on.

also how to open the bonnet - which I discover is not always a matter of a lever under the dash.

ChunkyPickle · 02/07/2014 17:44

I don't think so (and I don't think it's lauded) - I think that you should know a bit about tools you use. I'd hope that someone with a sewing machine could change a snapped needle, someone with a child could change a nappy, someone with a bike put the chain back on, a washing machine clear the filters etc.

Perhaps I'm expecting too much. Lots of people pay to have some one screw on one pipe, drop the outlet in another, and plug in a washing machine and that boggles my mind a bit too.

ChunkyPickle · 02/07/2014 17:45

Ha specials yes! I've had trouble with that on hire cars (the secret was to nudge the front badge just so) - also with popping petrol caps (button hidden under flp on the bit between the front seats, and manual missing!

HicDraconis · 02/07/2014 17:53

I can check oil / water, I know what alloys are (& haven't a clue if I have them or not) and when I called recovery out to change a flat tyre, the AA guy couldn't do it either.

Oh and I don't have any light bulbs :)

Bunbaker · 02/07/2014 18:04

"Oh and I don't have any light bulbs"

What do you use instead? Candles?

Bunbaker · 02/07/2014 18:04

Sorry. I didn't mean to sound so facetious, but what do you use to light your home?

thenightsky · 02/07/2014 18:14

Yes, I know what alloys are and I have the stupid things on my car. Bastards have just cost me thick end of £400 after bending on potholes and letting the air out of my tyres.

ShakeYourTailFeathers · 02/07/2014 18:19

We recently had two punctures in one weekend. I watched DH change the wheels. No fecking way I could do it, but I did get a lesson on how!

AnsonsVoyageRoundTheWorld · 02/07/2014 20:41

I lived on a building site for a while, I had to change a lot of tyres. Sad

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 02/07/2014 21:41

I have never actually called breakdown for a wheel change, and have been paying my premiums for 30 years, so no impact on anyone's premium. I couldn't care less if it did though, if it's included in the service you are entitled to use it. If you think your premiums are too high, change provider.

AnsonsVoyageRoundTheWorld · 02/07/2014 21:58

It takes minutes to change your own tyres if you know how, I couldn't be bothered waiting, goodness knows how long, for a breakdown service to come.
I wouldn't hesitate to call a breakdown service if I needed them to change a tyre (over tightened nuts or whatever) but I'd much rather do it myself.

Bunbaker · 02/07/2014 22:01

The key is "if you know how".

It would probably take me as long to change a wheel as it would to wait for the RAC to turn up and do it for me.

WMittens · 02/07/2014 22:37

Watercolourfootballs

You should know how to change a tyre if you have a driving licence really.

I suppose, really, you should know the difference between a wheel and a tyre, too.

WMittens · 02/07/2014 22:40

chemenger

I don't think there is any need to be rude about people who have no interest in the mechanics of their cars. I have two degrees in engineering and I would always use my recovery service to change a tire, because I don't want to do it. I could do it but I choose not to. I'd much rather pay someone to do it. How am I "letting the side down"?

Two engineering degrees and not knowing the difference between a wheel and a 'tire'? I'd say that's letting the side down.

WMittens · 02/07/2014 22:47

specialsubject

bloody silly idea though - fragile, up the insurance and less protection for the disks.

Sorry, what do brake discs need protection from? Getting more airflow to the discs prevents the brakes lose their performance through repeated use.

AnsonsVoyageRoundTheWorld · 02/07/2014 22:47

Meh, you don't really have to know how to change a tyre as long as you have a smart phone and a signal. YouTube will tell you what to do.

alternatively, you could use the instructions in your cars handbook

thenightsky · 02/07/2014 22:50

I'm impressed by the number of people who can change their own tyres on this thread. Seriously, I thought it needed specialist equipment to remove a tyre from a wheel without damaging it.

I can, however, change a wheel Wink

WMittens · 02/07/2014 22:58

thenightsky

I'm impressed by the number of people who can change their own tyres on this thread. Seriously, I thought it needed specialist equipment to remove a tyre from a wheel without damaging it.

To be fair, I have seen someone use a spade to break the bead. I'm not sure I'd try it on my own wheels, though.