Most young people wouldn’t know what to do if they were to get a flat tire while driving … other than using an app to call for help.
According to a survey conducted by Michelin, 52% of teens lack the basic auto repair skills required to change a flat tire.
But they aren’t the only ones clueless when it comes to flat tire repairs. About a third of women surveyed by Insurance.com admitted that they also wouldn’t know where to begin if one of their wheels suddenly went flat.
About 90% of men said they know how to change a tire, according to a AAA survey.
Tire Repair Safety
Changing a tire is actually a relatively simple task that doesn’t require extraordinary skill or even strength. The biggest danger isn’t your car or tire, it’s other drivers who are zooming past and who may not be able to see you when you are changing a flat on the side of the road.
That’s why it’s important to pull your car as far as possible from traffic before attempting to change a flat tire. If possible, pull into a parking lot or rest area to change your tire. You may even consider making it to a gas station or repair garage if it’s within sight. Don’t worry about damaging your already flattened tire: Your safety and security are more important than the cost of replacing a shredded tire.
You may even consider making it to a gas station or repair garage if it’s within sight if you are in a fast, heavily trafficked area. Your safety and security are more important than the cost of replacing a shredded tire.
Ideally, the tire that is flat should be on the side of the vehicle that is away from traffic. For example, if your front or rear passenger’s side tire is flat, pull to the right on a highway or expressway.
Do You Even Have a Spare?
If you do get a flat, even if you do know how to change it you may be surprised to know that your car doesn’t even have a spare tire.
Since new emission standards went into effect in the mid-2000s, automakers have been looking for ways to make cars and trucks lighter and safer. One way has been to ditch the spare tire altogether.
About 36 percent of all new cars sold in the US in 2016 will not have a spare tire or the jack, crowbar, or other tools needed to make the roadside repair.
Instead, calls to AAA and other auto repair services are on the rise and drivers of all ages use their smartphones rather than their repair skills to deal with flat tires.