RE: Most of us can't change a wheel
Tuesday 25th January 2005
Most of us can't change a wheel
Survey finds minor car maintenance is a declining sport
Cars are becoming more like black boxes that take experts to maintain. Even changing a tyre is too much for most motorists -- especially in Scotland, though they might be excused because of the colder climate.
Such is the finding of a survey undertaken by Saga Motoring Assistance, as it attempts to drum up trade from drivers who are no longer in the first flush of youth.
Apparently, some 44 per cent of those surveyed could not change a tyre, and a similar number don't check what's wrong with their car before calling for help.
And while the Scots languish at the bottom of the self-help table, those in the south-west sit proudly at the top.
Reports say that of the 1,935 adults surveyed, women are much worse at car maintenance than men, with 69 per cent admitting that they cannot change a faulty lamp bulb and 64 per cent saying they would not know how to change a tyre.
Motoring groups recommend motorists check the oil level once a fortnight, however the research shows that only 13 per cent check this often, 33 per cent check once a month and worryingly 13 per cent only check when the light comes on.
However, PistonHeads is comfortably confident that, if a survey of this site's members were to be held, the results would be reversed. Is that confidence misplaced?
Discussion
I wonder...
Biggest problem with changing wheels these days is alloys getting corroded onto hubs - you jack it up and undo the bolts and the [deleted] thing still won't come off.
And, the manual for my VW says that it no longer recommends owners attempting to change headlight bulbs as they are now so inaccessible with all the other gubbins in the bonnet.
AdrianR
Biggest problem with changing wheels these days is alloys getting corroded onto hubs - you jack it up and undo the bolts and the [deleted] thing still won't come off.
And, the manual for my VW says that it no longer recommends owners attempting to change headlight bulbs as they are now so inaccessible with all the other gubbins in the bonnet.
AdrianR
adrianr said:
I wonder...
Biggest problem with changing wheels these days is alloys getting corroded onto hubs - you jack it up and undo the bolts and the [deleted] thing still won't come off.
And, the manual for my VW says that it no longer recommends owners attempting to change headlight bulbs as they are now so inaccessible with all the other gubbins in the bonnet.
AdrianR
As it is illegal to drive a car with a blown bulb (even in daylight) doesn't that mean the car has broken down and needs the AA or a tow to a garage?
Frankly ease of changing bulbs should be part of type approval and your car isn't really suited to UK roads. I don't think I will be buying a VW if they are that badly designed.
Actually from the reliablity/satisfaction surveys I don't think I would buy a german car anyhow and will stick to British ones.
My two best friends took to driving a little later in life. So the day after they passed their tests I took them on a 'voyage of discovery' around their cars.
Pointing out the jacking points and showing them how to jack up their cars and change a wheel.
Both agreed that, whilst not interested at the time they thanked me loudly when they both subsequently had punctures. As they would have had no idea about how to even set up the jack.
Oh and putting in petrol. I took them to do this too.
Elizabeth
Pointing out the jacking points and showing them how to jack up their cars and change a wheel.
Both agreed that, whilst not interested at the time they thanked me loudly when they both subsequently had punctures. As they would have had no idea about how to even set up the jack.
Oh and putting in petrol. I took them to do this too.
Elizabeth
Ding said:
My two best friends took to driving a little later in life. So the day after they passed their tests I took them on a 'voyage of discovery' around their cars.
Pointing out the jacking points and showing them how to jack up their cars and change a wheel.
Both agreed that, whilst not interested at the time they thanked me loudly when they both subsequently had punctures. As they would have had no idea about how to even set up the jack.
Oh and putting in petrol. I took them to do this too.
Elizabeth
Thats why I'm grateful to my driving instructor who during latter lessons got me to pull over, open the bonnet and showed me each of the major components and fluid reservoirs etc. Plus he got me to stop a petrol station and fill up.
His motto was that he was teaching me to drive, not just to pass the test.
This was in 1991, how many instructors do that now (or then) I wonder?
Ta.
traction said:
Thats why I'm grateful to my driving instructor who during latter lessons got me to pull over, open the bonnet and showed me each of the major components and fluid reservoirs etc. Plus he got me to stop a petrol station and fill up.
His motto was that he was teaching me to drive, not just to pass the test.
This was in 1991, how many instructors do that now (or then) I wonder?
Ta.
All of them I hope - isnt that part of the test now?
But basic car maintenance und understanding has always been part of L/est in Germany. It was on my test - but my parents insisted I knew und fully understood how car und engine worked before they would pay or contrubute to paying for lessons.
As for the Theory test answer about calling for help...think this may have been if on busy road.
From my son's brainwashing book on learner driving:
"If on busy road - ist safer to call for assistance than risk an accident"
As for the Theory test answer about calling for help...think this may have been if on busy road.
From my son's brainwashing book on learner driving:
"If on busy road - ist safer to call for assistance than risk an accident"
busta said:
'13% only check the oil when the light comes on'
For christs sake! No wonder so manys people have problems with their cars these days! I suppose when they find a bone dry dip stick they get back in and drive to a garage about 5 miles up the road to put some more in.
Bernie
A former collegue once pulled a rusty dipstick from the engine of his Fiat Panda!
Fiats rust in places other cars don't usually rust.
cotty said:
Biggest problem with changing wheels these days is alloys getting corroded onto hubs - you jack it up and undo the bolts and the [deleted] thing still won't come off.
Should you not loosen the bolts before jacking the car up.
Yes, but either way, if the wheels corroded onto the hub, even with all the bolts out, the bloomin' thing still wont come off (this also happened to me, resulting in a call to the AA - very embarrasing
)turbo tim said:
Yes, but either way, if the wheels corroded onto the hub, even with all the bolts out, the bloomin' thing still wont come off (this also happened to me, resulting in a call to the AA - very embarrasing
The ever growing fleet with alloys can be seriously dangerous in this respect. Most times at least one nut or stud will be a problem. I bought a extra long handled wheel brace as soon as I realised the likely issue on my first car that was alloys equipped.
I hope the guy parked up (with the boot open looking like he was about to start a wheel change) on the non-existent hard shoulder in the middle of the roads works on the M25 during the rush hour last Wednesday did not have alloys. He may not have survived since the traffic was still passing at a steady 41 mph.
Perhaps runflat technology should be applied to numpty cars rather than their more expensive kin!
Come to think of it I see many cars around these days - all ages but often older ones - which clearly have run flat capability already!
I stick a small amount of grease on the mating surfaces of the wheel and hub since I had a wheel corrode itself in place once.
Definitely recommend doing as much maintenance as possible (once the car's out of warranty).
I have saved a small fortune on oil/filter changes, fuel filter, pollen filter, brake pads, etc.
Have even found a bloke that can read and clear ECU/ABS faults for £20. Simply get the fault, replace a sensor and save yourself hundreds!
The art is to be aware of jobs that are too complex for the home mechanic and take it to the professionals when they need doing.
Definitely recommend doing as much maintenance as possible (once the car's out of warranty).
I have saved a small fortune on oil/filter changes, fuel filter, pollen filter, brake pads, etc.
Have even found a bloke that can read and clear ECU/ABS faults for £20. Simply get the fault, replace a sensor and save yourself hundreds!
The art is to be aware of jobs that are too complex for the home mechanic and take it to the professionals when they need doing.
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