Re: Decent People + Space Savers
Discussion
Thought of the 'Decent People' thread today after hitting a raised cat eye in the roadworks on the M1, and ending up at Trowell services with a front tyre sporting an inch-long gash in it. Not ever having to change a tyre with locking wheel nuts on it before, I rang the OH to ask him how I get them off who suggested I 'ring the RAC'.
Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
scirocco265 said:
Thought of the 'Decent People' thread today after hitting a raised cat eye in the roadworks on the M1, and ending up at Trowell services with a front tyre sporting an inch-long gash in it. Not ever having to change a tyre with locking wheel nuts on it before, I rang the OH to ask him how I get them off who suggested I 'ring the RAC'.
Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
Sorry,but if you drive you should be able to change a tyre.Just think if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere what would you do? wait hours for the AA to turn up?Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
stainless_steve said:
Sorry,but if you drive you should be able to change a tyre.Just think if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere what would you do? wait hours for the AA to turn up?
Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
Fully aware of the need to know how to change a tyre, and have done it previously with no problems. Just never changed a tyre with locking wheel nuts before but ultimately would've figured out where to find the key and how to use it. Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
The call to the OH was to speed up the process, and he proved his worth by fobbing me of the RAC line. I would never have called the RAC to do it, for starters I would've been too embarassed.
Luckily I am now fully competent into how blindingly simple a process it is. Once you know how to do it.
davepoth said:
Looking at the size of space savers compared to the normal wheels on your car, would you want to have to take evasive action (or do an emergency stop) on one?
Would never want to drive for longer/faster than is necessary. Was a question of if there'd ever been a (dare I say it) Top Gear-esque test in the space savers longevity/performance versus what the safety regs say.scirocco265 said:
stainless_steve said:
Sorry,but if you drive you should be able to change a tyre.Just think if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere what would you do? wait hours for the AA to turn up?
Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
Fully aware of the need to know how to change a tyre, and have done it previously with no problems. Just never changed a tyre with locking wheel nuts before but ultimately would've figured out where to find the key and how to use it. Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
The call to the OH was to speed up the process, and he proved his worth by fobbing me of the RAC line. I would never have called the RAC to do it, for starters I would've been too embarassed.
Luckily I am now fully competent into how blindingly simple a process it is. Once you know how to do it.
scirocco265 said:
stainless_steve said:
Sorry,but if you drive you should be able to change a tyre.Just think if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere what would you do? wait hours for the AA to turn up?
Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
Fully aware of the need to know how to change a tyre, and have done it previously with no problems. Just never changed a tyre with locking wheel nuts before but ultimately would've figured out where to find the key and how to use it. Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
The call to the OH was to speed up the process, and he proved his worth by fobbing me of the RAC line. I would never have called the RAC to do it, for starters I would've been too embarassed.
Luckily I am now fully competent into how blindingly simple a process it is. Once you know how to do it.
I don't want to come across as rude, but It does scare me a little that there are people out there who are perplexed by a locking wheel nut and it's removal key.
I think you should be a little ashamed of yourself. And the "Oh, I'm a woman" excuse ain't really going to cut it.
Simps said:
scirocco265 said:
stainless_steve said:
Sorry,but if you drive you should be able to change a tyre.Just think if you were stranded in the middle of nowhere what would you do? wait hours for the AA to turn up?
Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
Fully aware of the need to know how to change a tyre, and have done it previously with no problems. Just never changed a tyre with locking wheel nuts before but ultimately would've figured out where to find the key and how to use it. Get your OH to show you how it's done,it's not rocket science.
The call to the OH was to speed up the process, and he proved his worth by fobbing me of the RAC line. I would never have called the RAC to do it, for starters I would've been too embarassed.
Luckily I am now fully competent into how blindingly simple a process it is. Once you know how to do it.
I don't want to come across as rude, but It does scare me a little that there are people out there who are perplexed by a locking wheel nut and it's removal key.
I think you should be a little ashamed of yourself. And the "Oh, I'm a woman" excuse ain't really going to cut it.
Maybe I should explain my thought process a little bit. Went a little something like this:
"Oh b
ks, that's a pretty bit gash. Tyre changing it is. [opens boot, removes boot mat]
Eeek, where's the bit for the locking wheel nut, glove box maybe?
[looks in glove box]
Sod it, I'll ring the OH.
[rings OH and asks where the locking wheel nut key is]
What the fudge, I'm not going to ring the RAC to show me how to remove a locking wheel nut, it can't be hidden anywhere too mysterious. Ooooh, this lovely chap has just suggested that he can show me. What a nice man.
Chances are, if you could use the locking nut, you wouldn't have been able to get the wheel off anyway. Tyre places often tighten them up so much they're impossible to get off with the supplied wheel brace.
I have a Halfords extending wheel brace, and I've had to get up on it and jump on the thing to get some of the wheel nuts to loosen. When 12 stone has to jump up and down on a 2 foot long wheel brace, what chance has a 8 stone female got with the supplied 9" long mild-steel wheel brace?
I have a Halfords extending wheel brace, and I've had to get up on it and jump on the thing to get some of the wheel nuts to loosen. When 12 stone has to jump up and down on a 2 foot long wheel brace, what chance has a 8 stone female got with the supplied 9" long mild-steel wheel brace?
HellDiver said:
Chances are, if you could use the locking nut, you wouldn't have been able to get the wheel off anyway. Tyre places often tighten them up so much they're impossible to get off with the supplied wheel brace.
I have a Halfords extending wheel brace, and I've had to get up on it and jump on the thing to get some of the wheel nuts to loosen. When 12 stone has to jump up and down on a 2 foot long wheel brace, what chance has a 8 stone female got with the supplied 9" long mild-steel wheel brace?
Which is why you should always check the tightness yourself after new tyres have been fitted and as a part of your weekly checking routine (fluid levels, tyre pressures etc.). If anything is over-tight, that's when you go back and ask them to do it properly - by hand.I have a Halfords extending wheel brace, and I've had to get up on it and jump on the thing to get some of the wheel nuts to loosen. When 12 stone has to jump up and down on a 2 foot long wheel brace, what chance has a 8 stone female got with the supplied 9" long mild-steel wheel brace?
scirocco265 said:
Thought of the 'Decent People' thread today after hitting a raised cat eye in the roadworks on the M1, and ending up at Trowell services with a front tyre sporting an inch-long gash in it. Not ever having to change a tyre with locking wheel nuts on it before, I rang the OH to ask him how I get them off who suggested I 'ring the RAC'.
Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
Your other half sounds like a cock.Feeling mortified at my own patheticness, some rather lovely chap came over and proceeded to change the whole darn thing for me. I fully support the belief that although men and women are more or less equal in most things, I am sometimes very appreciative that I am of the fairer sex. Never mind waiting an hour for the RAC to turn up, 5 minutes later I was back on the road.
My limited-to-50mph 80 mile journey home did make me think though, are space savers really limited to 50mph and X number of miles as suggested, or is that just a cautionary please-the-H&S-police thing and really it can do more?
I'm sure her OH wasn't withholding the information to be an arse. He probably just didn't know (and seems to have lost out to the suave, sophisticated chap who knows how to sort an Elise)
Out of interest, where was the key? Just so I can play the part of suave, sophisticated chap if I come across a damsel in distress in the services.
Out of interest, where was the key? Just so I can play the part of suave, sophisticated chap if I come across a damsel in distress in the services.
NUEZ said:
I still struggle to see the value of space savers. They don't save a huge amount of space, and if you get a flat tyre on a long journey you still have to go to a tyre fitter straight away or face hours of driving at slow speeds (speeds too slow for motorway traffic)
Err... yes, space savers do save space- and weight. There is no way an 18" alloy with a 295 tyre on would fit in the boot of my car- the things are enormous! Space savers mean the manufacturers can claim much bigger load space which obviously appeals to the consumer. I'd rather have a space saver than run flats (permanently horrible ride) or a can of tyre weld (doesn't always work), in the uncommon event of getting a puncture (touch wood, never happened to me).This thread reminds me, I have to change my winter wheels for the summer ones
)
I always knew that parts of this post would come in for criticism as the "I can't believe you can't change a tyre" people would misread the point and view me as a pathetic nancy. The point of it was mostly a public show of appreciation to the guy who helped and some thoughts that had crossed my mind.
I change my Company Car every 4 months and have had all sizes and shapes meaning locating 'basic' things like this is sometimes a case of trial and error, and not always in the common places you'd think of. I do wonder how many of our employees who do 500+ miles a week on business do know the basics like this, and the situation has highlighted to me the need to provide some sort of training/knowledge to these people. For the most of them, I doubt that they would have the first clue, even provided with the tools and a spare wheel laid out in front of them. Yesterday I was in heels and a skirt-suit with a dying phone battery; the 'In Case of Emergency' change of clothes and trainers are now nicely stashed in my boot for any similar occurences in the future, so at least it's a learn on that front.
I do agree that all drivers should have the knowledge of the basics - topping up oil, changing a wiperblade/tyre etc. I learnt how to change a wheel at 17, when I had a puncture whilst on my 'L' plates and my dad pointed me to the boot and told me to get on with it. Personally, I think skills like this should be incorporated into the Driving Test. If drivers know how to check the basics and maintain the fundamentals of their vehicle, I'm sure this would have a positive effect on road safety.
I change my Company Car every 4 months and have had all sizes and shapes meaning locating 'basic' things like this is sometimes a case of trial and error, and not always in the common places you'd think of. I do wonder how many of our employees who do 500+ miles a week on business do know the basics like this, and the situation has highlighted to me the need to provide some sort of training/knowledge to these people. For the most of them, I doubt that they would have the first clue, even provided with the tools and a spare wheel laid out in front of them. Yesterday I was in heels and a skirt-suit with a dying phone battery; the 'In Case of Emergency' change of clothes and trainers are now nicely stashed in my boot for any similar occurences in the future, so at least it's a learn on that front.
I do agree that all drivers should have the knowledge of the basics - topping up oil, changing a wiperblade/tyre etc. I learnt how to change a wheel at 17, when I had a puncture whilst on my 'L' plates and my dad pointed me to the boot and told me to get on with it. Personally, I think skills like this should be incorporated into the Driving Test. If drivers know how to check the basics and maintain the fundamentals of their vehicle, I'm sure this would have a positive effect on road safety.
Jeez man people can be so tetchy on this site 
Anyway, back to the space saver question
Although I wouldn't recommend it, you will undoubtely be able to go faster than the 'max' value specified on the wheel. As with anything engineering related there will certainly be some 'reserve' or 'margin' otherwise we'd reach 51mph and the wheel would fall to bits!
I'm not sure what the automotive trade uses for wheels/tyres but a space saver may be able to take twice the speed without becoming unsafe (given human lives are at stake). In the aerospace business we are ultra paranoid so often work with much higher values (which I hope is comforting )
As another poster suggested, it would be interesting if Top Gear did a test but fortunately I'm sure even they would realise the idiocy of attempting such a test as it would open the floodgates for numpty's to drive down the motorway at 80mph.
Anyway, back to the space saver question
Although I wouldn't recommend it, you will undoubtely be able to go faster than the 'max' value specified on the wheel. As with anything engineering related there will certainly be some 'reserve' or 'margin' otherwise we'd reach 51mph and the wheel would fall to bits!
I'm not sure what the automotive trade uses for wheels/tyres but a space saver may be able to take twice the speed without becoming unsafe (given human lives are at stake). In the aerospace business we are ultra paranoid so often work with much higher values (which I hope is comforting
)As another poster suggested, it would be interesting if Top Gear did a test but fortunately I'm sure even they would realise the idiocy of attempting such a test as it would open the floodgates for numpty's to drive down the motorway at 80mph.
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