How To Change a Tire
March 08, 2023
I’ve gone the majority of my life without knowing how to change a tire, as I’m sure many people my age have. It’s never really been a necessity. I’d see people on the side of the road, waiting for roadside assistance, praying that I’d never end up in their situation. Sadly praying can only go so far, and one day it did happen to me. Before I tell you how to change a tire, I should first tell you how to destroy one. Here’s how I did it.
HOW TO BREAK A TIRE
Wintertime in Montreal helps you forget about all the craters on our roads because the snow perfectly fills them. As the snow melts, most drivers stay vigilant, they prepare themselves for the potholes coming out of hibernation. Not me, though. I was on my way to work, I wouldn’t say I was speeding but I was definitely a few kilometers over the legal limit. Holding this speed I drove up Pine Av West, which is probably one of the most broken up streets in Montreal, which again is tough to decide. One could argue every road in Montreal is the worst road in Montreal. You could trick blind people into thinking that they were walking on the moon. Anyways, BLAM! My car shakes, and the tire beatboxes a tune telling me to stop. I pull my car over to the side of the busy street and step out to investigate. Sure enough, the front left wheel was hugging the pavement. My anxiety is rising. I think to myself what the hell am I supposed to do?
HOW TO CHANGE A TIRE
STEP 1: Call your boss
You’re going to be late. You should probably let them know unless, of course, this was the sign you needed to finally quit your job.
STEP 2: GOOGLE or Call your DAD/MOM
So if you’ve never changed a tire before and you’re just standing there looking at it, it’s probably best to find someone who does. If you have a parent or guardian who’s good at this sort of stuff, I’d recommend getting them on facetime so they can see what you see. If you don’t have one of those, I’m sorry to hear that. But there are plenty of good people on the internet who can help out, they’ll even have some pictures. So don’t be too proud or shy to Google or YouTube it.
Once you’ve gotten the help you need to assess the situation, you can now begin your attempt at changing the tire.
STEP 3: There are tools in your trunk?
Yes, there are tools in your trunk. It’s a nice surprise waiting for you in times like this. It’s a hidden compartment that you pull up, inside should be a spare tire along with some tools, and a car jack. After you’ve processed the surprise, take everything out. You’re going to need mostly everything. Even that weird metal thing that looks like a sour key candy, take that one out just in case.
STEP 4: Organize
Lean the tire against the car and put the tools somewhere easy and accessible. Then lay the tire flat on the ground because you think what if this tire rolls away, then you’re screwed, and so is the person that it eventually hits.
STEP 5: Get to work
So, you’re going to want to loosen those bolts holding the tire in place, but not all the way. It’s kinda like edging. But first, you’ve gotta set the jack in place. Look under your car for a good metal thing that’s close to the tire. It’s like a thin metal tab kinda. Once the jack is in there, leave it alone. We won’t be lifting just yet.
Now you can start loosening the bolts. Kick the tire iron if you have to. You’ve gone through about two now, and at this point, you should be really happy that you were able to loosen at least two. Nothing could possibly go wrong…….
STEP 6: Give up
You’re stuck. Despite your best efforts, there’s one bolt that just won’t give. You get unmotivated. Try not to be so hard on yourself. You tried and that’s what matters. Put away your tools back in their cave and sit back in your car. It’s time to call roadside assistance.
STEP 7: Wait
You've called for help ad they say they’ll get to you within an hour MAX. You lean your seat back a little, put down your windows and turn on the radio. Grab a cigarette and light it. It’s important to not be hard on yourself at this moment alone. Try not to let the thoughts get to you. Things that you might have been shrugging off. These moments to yourself allow your mind to wonder. You think about life, relationships, and regrets. You think to yourself; “I couldn’t even change a tire. What skills do I actually have? I’m useless in this world.” It’s easy to be tough on yourself. It’s hard but you have to think about your good qualities in these moments, distract yourself, and sing to the radio. Reflect on all the good you’ve done, and the growth you’ve done. Think about how young you are and how there’s so much more for you to learn still and that things get easier the more you go through them. Except for breakups, you’re not good with breakups.
STEP 8: SNAP OUT OF IT
CAA is here. You snap out of it. You take a few seconds to breathe. Stay cool. Wipe tears if you have to. Get out of the car and greet your savior. Tell him what you’ve done so far. He tells you that he can probably finish it up and that you won’t be needing a tow truck. You smile. He asks you to help in a small way that makes you feel better.
The Savior finishes the job in just a few minutes. He curses the potholes. You laugh. After which you thank him for his service. He tells you that your tire isn't just flat, but the mag is destroyed. You’ll need a new tire. You thank him again and he says his goodbyes, speeding off in his company car.
STEP 9: Relax
You get in your car and breathe. Everything is okay again. You’re relieved that you asked for help. You think, what the hell is a mag? Did I hear him properly when he was talking to me? You don’t care, the garage will tell you what’s wrong. You could worry about that later, for now, you’ll have to continue your way to work so you could get the money to pay for a new tire.
YOU’VE SUCCESSFULLY CHANGED A TIRE.
Changing a tire can be overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what’s going on. Don’t be afraid to call for help, if you can afford it. Remember to relax, and don’t think poorly of yourself over a small hiccup.
