Would you change a tyre on the Hard Shoulder?

[Bowler]

Interested to see where this goes.

Yesterday I saw a guy changing a wheel on the Hard Shoulder of the M6, just 400 yards short the (motorway) Services and I couldn’t understand why he opted to do this in one of the most hazardous environments any motorist is ever likely encounter, instead of the relative security of a fking big car park

My only experience of this was after getting a puncture; stopping for a look and being st scared by the passing traffic, I opted to drive 3 or 4 miles along the H/S to the nearest safe place (which happened to be an exit). Even then, I drove another ½ mile to somewhere quiet

[Frenchda]

I have done in the past but the last time scared the hell out of me. Would just phone the AA/RAC now as it is just too risky.

[oOTomOo]

I'd have my butler do it..

[ctallchris]

I would on the passenger side but to be honest i would use tyre weld. I wouldn't even get out of my drivers door unless the motorway was empty.

Wait what am i saying,

Unless the motorway was stationary

[john_p]

Depending on the situation, I'd be tempted to drive on it to get to a better place.

[Arese]

Nope, never. Call me ghey, tell me to man up, but I don't want a sleepy truck driver plowing into me. I'll either limp off the motorway and do it somewhere quiet, or call the RAC.

[kambites]

I don't have a spare, but I'd happily fill a tyre with foam on the hard shoulder. I guess that takes rather less time, though.

[Mars]

I have, at night in pissing rain, on the M40 Northbound out of London, wearing my best suit. I had already passed the exit when I hit a housebrick (I think) which took out the tyre quite noticeably. Next exit was too far to drive. Fortunately it was a nearside wheel else I might not have bothered. Still scary though, with the lorries ploughing past. They are SO loud at speed on a wet motorway.

[lazyitus]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

Me too - not a good idea. Having 40ton HGV's screaming past your arse is not the most pleasurable way to spend 5 minutes of what could be a very short life.

[MaximumJed]

I've changed wheels several times on the side of the motorway, at various times of day, on both sides of the car. I've changed a trailers wheel after the tyre exploded, the wife has even removed a broken prop shaft in order that a 4x4 could limp to the next exit as a front driver.

I do normally get someone to watch the traffic for any developing incidents, but only since someone deliberately moved across all three lanes in order to scare me.

[Mr E]

Nearside, with a spotter and great care -- perhaps.

Offside? No way. I'd destroy the wheel getting it off the motorway if needed.

Edited by Mr E on Wednesday 6th October 10:30

[Iang84]

have done in the past hit a pot hole going done m6 on way back to london that ate the inside wall of my offsfside front tyre managed to find part of the hard shoulder that also had about 6ft of gravel as well so planted the offside as close to the gravel as possible and changed it

[thetrash]

Changed an offside tyre on the M11 after a blow out. I was with two friends so got one of them to stand a few hundred yards up from the direction from which we just travelled from to make drivers aware and my other friend was on look out. A couple of lorries came a little close, it's surprising how quickly you can change a wheel when you feel you life is in danger though!

[wolf1]

I do it pretty much every day, but then again I do happen to work for one of the big two.

So who comes out and changes mine ?

[SystemParanoia]

wolf1 said:

I do it pretty much every day, but then again I do happen to work for one of the big two.

So who comes out and changes mine ?

green flag?

[berry100]

Not a chance, there's a reason they say you must wait outside your car away from the hard shoulder if you break down....yet you'd risk crouching next to it trying to change a ruddy tyre!!!

[ShadownINja]

Arese said:

Nope, never. Call me ghey, tell me to man up, but I don't want a sleepy truck driver plowing into me. I'll either limp off the motorway and do it somewhere quiet, or call the RAC.

On the bright side, you'd probably never notice the truck...

[DaveL86]

Frenchda said:

I have done in the past but the last time scared the hell out of me. Would just phone the AA/RAC now as it is just too risky.

Agreed.

[SystemParanoia]

can have the tyre swapped in under 5 mins and be on my way...

if i call breakdown, ill be waiting atleast 45mins or more, because im not a single female with kids etc


if im on the mway.. it means im trying to get somewhere.. no way am i wasting my time just sitting there twiddling my thumbs

[TuxRacer]

I would, if I felt safe (no point hanging round any longer than necessary)...

...but my car doesn't have a spare wheel.