Be very carefull when changing flat tire on hwy

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HTSS_TR

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Apr 17, 2006
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Quote:
A manhunt is underway after a man fixing a flat tire on the shoulder of the 210 Freeway was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver in Fontana.


https://www.yahoo.com/news/man-fixing-flat-tire-210-163121881.html


I posted this in the Tire & Wheel section a month ago, it was the right decision. If you need to change tire on highway you should park your vehicle at least 6-7 feet from traffic, 10-12 feet is preferred.

Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
Six months ago the passenger front of my E430 had a very loud pop, the tire was completely flat but I was on a 2 lane mountain road so I could not stop. I drove slowly around 20-25 MPH with emergency light on for about 8-10 miles to get to a turn out to change the tire. During the drive I could smell the rubber burning.

I went to America's Tire to buy a new set, all tires were between 2/32" and 3/32" so they gave me some prorate. The flat tire had 1" diameter hole on the inside sidewall about 1/2 way up from the tread. The wheel was bent a little(they showed it to me), but no air leak. I was very surprise that damage wasn't worse than that.

They told me watch out but no need for new wheel if it hold air and no shaking nor handling effect.

By the way the OEM size is 235/45-17.
 
I once had to change a flat drivers side front tire on a busy city expressway exchange & it was one of the most harrowing experiences in my life. Next time it's AAA's turn.
 
For most people (sadly) changing a flat is a big ordeal. They get all caught up in it and lose awareness. Now spare tires are some kind of rare extra. My Cadillac came with run-flats, which suck, they're heavy, expensive, and hard. Almost no one buys replacement run-flats.

Everyone check your spare tire for air. Most seem to go flat after 8 years or so. Been there, done that. Change a flat and the spare is flat too. Nice feeling.
 
We were all told in our work vans to pull off to the next safest place, not get out, and call AAA. They'd rather use auto insurance then our life insurance.
 
Ot: if you are female chivalry still exists. My wife had a municapal truck (barely spoke English) pull over turn on lights blocking car and changed her tire with 2 year old and her in car on route 95.

I remember as a child the same thing happened in Kuwait. A man driving a rolls Royce and dish dash(white robe) changed my mums(30 then) tire with us 3 kids in back of car. Did not speak a word of English.
 
Some cannot afford to replacing tires they totally destroy driving it further down the road. Some cannot afford additional AAA-type insurance premium coverage to await assistance and fix their flats for free.

Thus we will always read about unfortunate incidents like this.
 
I see often times people parked on the side of the road, changing a spare while there is an additional 5 feet of empty shoulder that the could have used to be safer.

I guess its too much to turn the wheel to get further off of the road. These folks ain't got the time and can't be bothered.
 
Originally Posted By: Triple_Se7en
Some cannot afford to replacing tires they totally destroy driving it further down the road. Some cannot afford additional AAA-type insurance premium coverage to await assistance and fix their flats for free.

Thus we will always read about unfortunate incidents like this.

Used rim and used tire is less than 100. Maybe they can't afford to drive.

If you drive 5 mph you can b somewhere. Lack on common sense FTL
 
I can change a tire. I have a jack, full size spare, lug wrench in both vehicles.

But if I get a flat on a limited access highway, I'm driving on the wheel until I can find a safe spot to pull VERY far off the road.

A wheel is a lot cheaper than getting hit by someone and being killed.
 
Unfortunately some highways have ZERO room to change a tire.

You are only 3-4 feet from an 18 wheeler traveling 70 miles per hour.
frown.gif
 
I belong to AAA. It's the one thing that I make sure and pay every year when it comes due. I have never used it myself but my Daughters have.
 
Originally Posted By: Miller88
I can change a tire. I have a jack, full size spare, lug wrench in both vehicles.

But if I get a flat on a limited access highway, I'm driving on the wheel until I can find a safe spot to pull VERY far off the road.

A wheel is a lot cheaper than getting hit by someone and being killed.
I agree. I have a full size spare, and I have steel wheels. If it goes flat, I'll drive to the next exit or if I'm out on the highway I'll drive until I see a bigger open area. If I wreck the wheel, I'll just go to the junk yard and get another steel one for $10-$15.
 
Originally Posted By: Al
I will drive it to the next exit. If I wreck the wheel so be it. I carry a full size spare.


I stopped to help someone with a flat on Route 80. The buffeting from the trucks whizzing by was enough to rattle me a bit just talking from inside my car. I offered to change the tire for her if she would drive her Lexus SUV the 1/2 mile to the next exit and pull into a shopping center. She refused, saying her husband told her not to drive on a flat because she will damage the wheel. She said this as she clutched her Louis Vuitton purse. She had a phone so I bid her good day.

I'm not risking my life to save my own wheel, let alone some stranger's. Funny that someone will stand on the side of a highway clutching a $1,200 (maybe more) purse to save a $400 wheel.
 
If I'm somewhere where I can't safely change a tire, it's time for a call to AAA for a flatbed so they can move the car to somewhere safer.

No way in [censored] am I going to risk my own safety as well as risk damaging a wheel, burning up a limited slip diff and now needing to buy a full set of new tires due to irreparably destroying one (assuming it wasn't already) to limp along on a flat.
 
Originally Posted By: SeaJay
I see often times people parked on the side of the road, changing a spare while there is an additional 5 feet of empty shoulder that the could have used to be safer.

I guess its too much to turn the wheel to get further off of the road. These folks ain't got the time and can't be bothered.


That extra 5 feet may matter if it's just a car coming by, but a lot of times when you read that someone got killed on the highway, it's a drunk driver. Then it doesn't matter how far you pull over, the drunk will see your car by the side of the road and whatever they see, they tend to steer toward and then it's all over.

If you call AAA and tell them you're on the side of the highway, they will make your call a high priority one and they can come pretty quick.
 
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
If I'm somewhere where I can't safely change a tire, it's time for a call to AAA for a flatbed so they can move the car to somewhere safer.

No way in [censored] am I going to risk my own safety as well as risk damaging a wheel, burning up a limited slip diff and now needing to buy a full set of new tires due to irreparably destroying one (assuming it wasn't already) to limp along on a flat.


I hope AAA has gotten better than they used to be. I waited over an hour for a jump start. I had borrowed the car from a family member and there were no cables. Eventually a Good Samaritan helped me out.

If the area is not safe enough to change a tire, it's probably not safe enough to sit in the car for 30 plus minutes waiting for a tow. I'll risk the wheel.

I think people would be surprised by how far they can drive on a flat before the wheel gets damaged. Assuming slow speed and not a super low profile tire. A few miles should not be an issue.
 
Originally Posted By: pottymouth
Originally Posted By: rslifkin
If I'm somewhere where I can't safely change a tire, it's time for a call to AAA for a flatbed so they can move the car to somewhere safer.

No way in [censored] am I going to risk my own safety as well as risk damaging a wheel, burning up a limited slip diff and now needing to buy a full set of new tires due to irreparably destroying one (assuming it wasn't already) to limp along on a flat.


I hope AAA has gotten better than they used to be. I waited over an hour for a jump start. I had borrowed the car from a family member and there were no cables. Eventually a Good Samaritan helped me out.

If the area is not safe enough to change a tire, it's probably not safe enough to sit in the car for 30 plus minutes waiting for a tow. I'll risk the wheel.

I think people would be surprised by how far they can drive on a flat before the wheel gets damaged. Assuming slow speed and not a super low profile tire. A few miles should not be an issue.


I wouldn't stay in the car if I had to sit on shoulder of the highway. I'd get out and stand in the grass off to the side 20 feet away.
 
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