Is this really a thing?

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi)
07/30/2014 at 10:53 • Filed to: None

Over the past 2 weeks I have seen 3 separate people doing this.

They get a flat tire and pull off to the side of the roadway, but they just keep on going. They travel at a much slower rate than traffic, but they don't seen to stop. On Saturday I saw a guy in a truck with a flat actually get on the highway with the flat tire... Today, on my way to work, I saw an H2 traveling at about 20 mph in the break down lane with a flat tire that was completely shredded. the only rubber left was the tattered remnants of the sidewalls. This person never once stopped driving the whole time I could see them and there was plenty of space to pull off and change a tire, AND YES, they did have a full sized spare mounted to the back of the car.

I mean is this laziness? Ignorance? ???? Is it really that hard to say "hey boss, I got a flat I'm going to be in a little late?" WHAT???!!

DISCUSSION (27)

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 10:57

Ignorence, people don't want to pay for a tow. Think they can limp it to a shop, since they don't have a clue how to change a tire.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:00

that poor Volvo 240 GL...

And yeah just laziness or lack of knowledge. I think you should be able to change a tire before you get your license

Thunderbee - Has the engine that kids like > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:01

Can people not even be bothered with a can of fix a flat? Ugh.

Kinja'd!!!

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/30/2014 at 11:02

WE HAVE A WINNER!

This is 100% the reason why. I had to offer to change one man's tire (yes a MAN, and probably only in his 30s and in decent shape, not a woman as the stereotypes would lead you to believe) to get him to realize that his tire was that flat. I figured the whole "My jeep is really uneven right now and I go on three wheels when I turn" would give it away but no. A rear tire had maybe 8 psi in it. Probably leaking more. Took me three lights to get him to accept that it was going to be a lot worse if he didn't at least try and put some air in it to get it home or whatever. But even that was too much work.

jariten1781 > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:03

They decided they'd rather pay for a new wheel than risk a hospital or funeral bill? Staties around here will make you drive off the interstate and to the nearest parking lot during rush hour.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > 505Turbeaux
07/30/2014 at 11:03

With the wrench in the jack kit or with a socket and a torque wrench?

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:03

I once saw a woman driving her Freelander with two flat tyres, with full size spare on the back driving like absolutely nothing was wrong. I think the main reason for them not stopping is not because they are lazy, but because they don't actually know how to change the tyre...

Another moment was when I was exiting a restaurant and I heard the most tremendous flapping and farting noise. First I thought it was someone being stupid with a bunch of balloons, but then a 5 Series rounded a corner with a flat, ripped tyre dragging along the group. Luckily, there was a tyre shop just 200 metres up the road, but watching it drag itself at walking up the pace was both hilarious and pitiful.

505Turbeaux > norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback
07/30/2014 at 11:04

with the jack kit. I have never once had a wheel come off on me. I just kick it tight a few times. However I see your point. I would rather have it done correctly than have idiots going down the road with not tight enough lugs, or putting 2 lugs on and calling it good. It is America after all

CAR_IS_MI > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/30/2014 at 11:05

Well I only wish I could see the look on these geniuses faces when the shop says "Well, the tires only $199, but you destroyed the wheel, and that's another $600, and your tie rod end links are shot, and that's another $250 including labor...

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux
07/30/2014 at 11:06

Right, or at least be taught enough to know 1. what a flat tire feels like and 2. to pull over AND stop when you do get a flat.

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:07

I know, or people who put the donut spare on the front of a FWD! Wreck the whole set up. Just makes it so much worse.

CAR_IS_MI > jariten1781
07/30/2014 at 11:09

Traffics not that bad and our emergency lanes are about 12 ft wide in most places so plenty wide to change a tire, fortunately.

norskracer98-ExploringTheOutback > 505Turbeaux
07/30/2014 at 11:09

When I've done tires with my grandfather and we've always used sockets and torque. I could do it with out them but it definitely makes you feel a bit safer.

OPPOsaurus WRX > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:10

some asshole drove past my house at 2am last night like this!!!! He left scraps of his tire all down the street.

Shiyal > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:16

Lesson #14 - How to change a flat tire
Lesson #27 - How to change oil and its filter.

Should be required and tested in drivers ed.

CAR_IS_MI > Shiyal
07/30/2014 at 11:21

But then you're government mandating knowledge which could potentially take business away from private enterprises who's sole purpose exists to take your money for an oil change and then sometimes forget to actually replace the oil...

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 11:25

OMG! OMG! OMG! If I stop on the road and change a tire (assuming the person knows how) or wait for Roadside assistance some strange person (black, "Mexican", crazy, escaped convict, meth-addict, etc) Might stop and kidnap/rape/murder/rob me! STRANGER DANGER! STRANGER DANGER!

also: stopping on the side of the road is DANGEROUS! haven't you seen all the Youtube videos! OMG! OMG! LIKE INSTANT DEATH! plus, I'm totally running late already because this traffic is so horrid.

NaturallyAspirated > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 12:04

A friend of mine recently got a flat tire on his Nissan mini truck. I know for a fact that his truck has a full-size spare in the under-the-bed storage location, plus a donut spare in his garage.

My friend used super glue and duct tape to seal the tire up enough that he could re-inflate it and drove it to a tire shop, where they laughed at him and reminded him that he had a full-size spare.

CAR_IS_MI > NaturallyAspirated
07/30/2014 at 12:07

ughh...

thebigbossyboss > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 12:13

Confession drove on my winter steelie rim once (they retail for about $45).

I would have stopped but windy road with literally no shoulder...and by the time there is a shoulder I would be about 300ft from my house, so fuck it haha.

All told went about 4500 ft on the rim.

thebigbossyboss > Shiyal
07/30/2014 at 12:15

Confession: I have changed the entire suspension on my car in my driveway.

I have never myself changed the oil :/

Maybe I should learn haha.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/30/2014 at 12:21

You can't put a donut on a FWD front?

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
07/30/2014 at 12:45

Should technically put a regular tire on the front and put the donut on the back. If its a real short distance I'm sure its not a big deal. But since it is a steering and drive tire you would likely want a full size tire that is rated for speeds for than 50. The owners manual typically recommends it as well.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif
07/30/2014 at 12:53

Interesting. My FiST has a full size spare so it's not really applicable but might be useful down the road (heh).

Lumpy44, Proprietor Of Fine Gif > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
07/30/2014 at 13:04

Ohhh A+ level pun!

V8VespaStoppie > CAR_IS_MI
07/30/2014 at 16:33

See this all the time in my city. They just treat their cars like a horse. Ride it till something big breaks and then get another. Also You'll see people drive around with gas door open and cap off at ALL times. Since it takes forever to open it and close it all the time.

LuczOr > CAR_IS_MI
08/01/2014 at 12:06

Ignorance.