"LOL - How does he change his tires ?" ( comments about wheel covers )

[Xist]

Most people seem to think that they are smarter than average, which is statistically impossible. When I got Bacon back from the friend who keeps breaking her Civic, it was parked in a side yard, with weeds rivaling a healthy jungle. I tried to push the car, but did not have any traction. Friend asked "Why don't you drive the car? That would be the smart thing to do!"

I do not even know how to describe how little I liked that comment. I definitely think that "normal" would have been the appropriate word and norms and intelligence are unrelated.

[War_Wagon]

The first thing I do when I get a "new to me car" is check to make sure it has a spare, and that there is air in the spare. That being said, I drive a lot, and I drive a lot of different vehicles, and the last time I got a flat tire was...1992? I smacked a curb in a 1970 Chevy Nova SS, and blew the sidewall out. That one wasn't even the tires fault. I have come out in the morning and found tires that are close to flat, but I can honestly say I don't think I have ever had to change a tire on the side of the road because it blew out. I had to change all 4 tires on the side of the highway, in the snow, on my dearly departed Civic wagon when it died and I had to leave it, but as for an emergency tire change? Nope, don't think I have ever had to. Now that I've said that I will get a flat tomorrow haha

[redpoint5]

I've probably averaged 1 significant leak per year, and only a a handful of flats. Then again, I wear tires down to nothing and off-road the heck out of the vehicles. Yesterday I pulled a rivet out of 1 Camry tire and plugged it, and am trying to figure out how to seal a leak on another Camry wheel around the bead.

Access to the wheels is important to me, but as long as it's possible to remove a wheel cover with whatever tools I normally have on me, then I don't mind the extra hassle.

That fastest I have ever changed a wheel outside of a garage was 5 minutes, from the point of realizing my tire was flat, to moving along on the spare.

[Cd]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've probably averaged 1 significant leak per year, and only a a handful of flats. Then again, I wear tires down to nothing and off-road the heck out of the vehicles. Yesterday I pulled a rivet out of 1 Camry tire and plugged it, and am trying to figure out how to seal a leak on another Camry wheel around the bead.

I laughed ( oh pardon me I'm out of fashion ...I " LOL" ) at that comment, picturing you thrashing the Camry on a dirt road, Dukes of Hazzard style

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Cd

I laughed ( oh pardon me I'm out of fashion ...I " LOL" ) at that comment, picturing you thrashing the Camry on a dirt road, Dukes of Hazzard style

I don't have many pictures of my adventures (misadventures), but this gives you a small idea of how I spent my youthful driving years. These photos kinda make me sad that I could see myself buying a minivan, or the fact that I own a Prius.

[Cd]

I envy your life dude. I have extreme agoraphobia and social anxiety, and rarely venture out of my safe zone.
You live the life i wish i had at your age !

[user removed]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've probably averaged 1 significant leak per year, and only a a handful of flats. Then again, I wear tires down to nothing and off-road the heck out of the vehicles. Yesterday I pulled a rivet out of 1 Camry tire and plugged it, and am trying to figure out how to seal a leak on another Camry wheel around the bead.

Access to the wheels is important to me, but as long as it's possible to remove a wheel cover with whatever tools I normally have on me, then I don't mind the extra hassle.

That fastest I have ever changed a wheel outside of a garage was 5 minutes, from the point of realizing my tire was flat, to moving along on the spare.

Find the leak using a container of water that you can dip the tire-wheel assembly in, about 1/3rd at a time, mark it.

Break the bead from the rim, coat the tire bead with some rtv silicone, use your finger and spread it very thin. Then inflate and get the bead reseated.

Check your work.

regards
mech

[freebeard]

I envy your life dude. I have extreme agoraphobia and social anxiety, and rarely venture out of my safe zone.

I, for one, appreciate your participation on the forum.

Racing Cars: Get Out and Get It:
http://therisingstorm.net/audio/08-G...and-Get-It.mp3

...I've been this way since nineteen sixty-six.

[Xist]

Originally Posted by Cd

I laughed ( oh pardon me I'm out of fashion ...I " LOL" ) at that comment, picturing you thrashing the Camry on a dirt road, Dukes of Hazzard style

You slide across the hood, too, right?

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Cd

I have extreme agoraphobia and social anxiety, and rarely venture out of my safe zone.

I had a lot of social anxiety for most of my childhood, until about age 21. At church every Sunday the pastor would have everyone greet the people around them, and my face would turn red and I'd get very anxious. In fact, my first girlfriend (she's in the snow picture) didn't come along until I was 22, and she had to pursue me.

I still have anxiety, but forcing myself outside my comfort zone has moved where my comfort zone is. Meeting new strangers is no longer stressful. What's stressful now is being dragged to the country dance bar by my wife. No dance ability whatsoever + performing in front of strangers = mucho anxiety. I've told myself I'll do it again and see if my stress level improves (because my dance ability sure isn't going to).