Removing spare tyre and kit

[twoladies]

HELP  I have to remove above....how easy will it be for me as I am a little old lady?  Seems to be a large upright holding tyre in place.  Have to then install in new yeti.  What is upright attached to as cant lift wheel?  Don't want to leave it.

[Expatman]

If you are changing cars perhaps the supplying garage would provide the muscle power required - it is not too heavy even for a car salesman!!

[longedge]

Salesman swapped mine over for me plus the mats and two skoda umberellas as well.

[Expatman]

3 hours ago, twoladies said:

HELP  I have to remove above....how easy will it be for me as I am a little old lady?  Seems to be a large upright holding tyre in place.  Have to then install in new yeti.  What is upright attached to as cant lift wheel?  Don't want to leave it.

Just a question but if you can’t lift the wheel how will you be able to change to the spare tyre if you have a puncture? I used to have spare tyres but as I am getting on a bit decided I would rather have the vastly increased boot space by eliminating the spare wheel. Part of my decision was on the advice of a Police friend who told me never to try and change the wheel by the side of a road because he had seen too many serious injuries and deaths of drivers hit by passing vehicles while attempting to change a wheel. His advice was to call the AA and get them to replace the tyre with one of the general fit tyres they now carry, then proceed to a tyre depot and get your tyre repaired and the AA pick their tyre up from the depot.

Incidentally this does not mean I am decrepit because I change form summer to winter tyres, and vice versa, twice a year - but I am in a drive with proper trolley jack and breaker bars etc.

[Ootohere]

Why not just have the AA, RAC, Greenflag, Police person put on the spare that is in the car?

'Simply easy, simply clever, simply likely to be quicker and save a 'responder' having to escort you to someplace to get their 'universal wheel back'. 

There might not be a tyre place near or open.

Then you do not need to change at the road side if you can pull off the road to a safe place.  

 

Location location location and there are still areas of the UK with no Mobile Phone reception, or habitation near by where you can get a phone, 

but if there is then maybe someone could help change a wheel.

[Rustynuts]

9 hours ago, Expatman said:

Just a question but if you can’t lift the wheel how will you be able to change to the spare tyre if you have a puncture? I used to have spare tyres but as I am getting on a bit decided I would rather have the vastly increased boot space by eliminating the spare wheel. Part of my decision was on the advice of a Police friend who told me never to try and change the wheel by the side of a road because he had seen too many serious injuries and deaths of drivers hit by passing vehicles while attempting to change a wheel. His advice was to call the AA and get them to replace the tyre with one of the general fit tyres they now carry, then proceed to a tyre depot and get your tyre repaired and the AA pick their tyre up from the depot.

Incidentally this does not mean I am decrepit because I change form summer to winter tyres, and vice versa, twice a year - but I am in a drive with proper trolley jack and breaker bars etc.

Having a spare wheel to change isn't the same as changing a spare wheel. Some recovery - roadside assistance companies specify that they'll only cover you provided you have a physical spare wheel to change if required rather than a pot of snot / compressor.

 

OP, as regards removing the spare wheel. At the top of the "Large Upright" is a large plastic screwed nut (about 10cm diameter) which tightens onto the top of the spare wheel and holds it in place. Unscrew this and the wheel will simply lift off the upright. Then the upright itself can be removed by simply pushing downwards and twisting 90° and it comes away. Refitting in the new vehicle is a reversal of this.

[gumdrop]

That spare wheel weighs a lot 10 to 20 kg depending on the car. protect your sills when having to move it.

 

By the By;

What umbrellas? I have had two Yeti, no umbrella.

Edited 29 March, 2019 by gumdrop

[Robjon]

17 minutes ago, gumdrop said:

What umbrellas? I have had two Yeti, no umbrella.

 

If you have one, it will be stored behind a small drop-down lid under the front of the passenger seat.

[Expatman]

1 hour ago, Skoffski said:

Why not just have the AA, RAC, Greenflag, Police person put on the spare that is in the car?

'Simply easy, simply clever, simply likely to be quicker and save a 'responder' having to escort you to someplace to get their 'universal wheel back'. 

There might not be a tyre place near or open.

Then you do not need to change at the road side if you can pull off the road to a safe place.  

 

Location location location and there are still areas of the UK with no Mobile Phone reception, or habitation near by where you can get a phone, 

but if there is then maybe someone could help change a wheel.

According to the AA they do not require you to proceed directly to a tyre repair depot if it's not convenient. The wheel can be collected or shipped back to them .

Of course you could get a puncture in some place without phone coverage etc but it's a percentage game and unlikely. Years ago I used to carry spare fanbelt, plugs and toolbox. Nowadays we don't, and spare wheels are going the same way.

It's a matter of personal choice. I choose 30% more boot space over the small chance of a puncture. Others choose differently.

[longedge]

1 hour ago, gumdrop said:

What umbrellas?

Got one from the dealer as a sweetener each time I bought a car (1 Fabia, 1 Citigo and 2 Yetis). I also got a set of mats with my first Yeti which were transferred to the current one.  I retained 1 small collapsible and one golfing type umberella both Skoda branded.

 

I agree with what Expatman says re spare wheel, it's personal choice and personally I just feel uncomfortable without one. In my younger days, I have stopped and changed a wheel for people on a couple of occasions.

Edited 29 March, 2019 by longedge

[J.R.]

I have always changed wheels at the side of the road after a puncture, once did it on the M1 which was hairy, I despair of those who have never even considered learning how to do so, to me its the responsability that comes with driving a 1 tonne plus piece of metal, I taught all of my nieces to do so. I do agree that the size and weight of wheels on the sort of Playmobiles that modern families believe they cannot live without are beyond the strength of most of the drivers but then so would the steering if the assistance failed, keep reading of accidents where modern vehicles computer has said "NO" and the driver claimed they had no brakes or steering, they did but just had no idea of the force that drivers used to have to apply if they chose to drive a tank.

 

I cancelled my breakdown insurance with disgust when Green Flag showed an advert of a bimbo polishing her nails having gridlocked a city by not pulling off the road with a puncture and waiting for the recovery men to change the wheel, I decided if that was the profile of customer they wanted to attract then I was not going to subsidise their Princessness, I have not had breakdown insurance since.

 

I have no problem at all with a patrol doing a wheelchange for someone who genuinely cannot physically do so but should they put their lives on the line many times a day for those who choose not to?

[Ootohere]

@Expatman

Maybe you do not venture a bit further north than North Yorkshire but no mobile phone reception is quite common.

As are glens and routes where the AA, RAC, Greenflag or local garages do not get to you in 70 minutes.

Then there are longer Festive Holidays, so think maybe 3-4 days at the New Year.

[kenfowler3966]

As I recall the AA only don't work on xmas day, so thats the day the car stays on the drive!

[KenONeill]

3 hours ago, Skoffski said:

As are glens and routes where the AA, RAC, Greenflag or local garages do not get to you in 70 minutes.

And yet my fastest ever recovery turnout was in Glencoe. OK the local recovery business's owner was filling up a truck when I was making the call, and walked in to sign the account before I finished, so I was able to literally give him the phone...

[Ootohere]

& the A92 being a trunk route, through route, and has recovery and responders aplenty.

The A9 is as well but when there are lots of cars in a lay-by with wrecked tyres or wheels, as potholes open after a snow melt and torrential rain & some cars with more than one puncture they can be there for hours.

That being less than 10 miles from Dunblane.

I was one of the last in and first that had recovery out just because Motability had the RAC send the local garage recovery truck from Blackford

as they were 'snowed under' with similar things around the region.

 

Edited 29 March, 2019 by Skoffski

[KenONeill]

46 minutes ago, Skoffski said:

& the A92 being a trunk route

Relevance to someone who was in the West Highlands?  

 

Quite aside from which there are still dead areas on the A82 and A87.

[Ootohere]

Sorry do you mean for phone signals?  Yes i know, even when carrying 3 phones with different networks.

Some still use CB's for that reason, or have Radio Licences and equipment.

Edited 29 March, 2019 by Skoffski

[gumdrop]

I seem to remember that some folk can register their phone with a rescue system that will then connect with the nearest usable phone signal

whosoevers it is for emergency calls 

[Expatman]

12 hours ago, J.R. said:

I have always changed wheels at the side of the road after a puncture, once did it on the M1 which was hairy,

Precisely, so you think it is worth risking your life to change a wheel. That’s not the action of a sensible person.

 

 

 

 

[Expatman]

12 hours ago, Skoffski said:

@Expatman

Maybe you do not venture a bit further north than North Yorkshire but no mobile phone reception is quite common.

As are glens and routes where the AA, RAC, Greenflag or local garages do not get to you in 70 minutes.

Then there are longer Festive Holidays, so think maybe 3-4 days at the New Year.

I have travelled from remote areas of Scotland to tip of Cornwall. Not sure about perfect telephone reception but I haven’t had a problem yet or got stuck anywhere. Only problem I once had was being stuck because some idiot thought driving with summer tyres in winter was a good idea - 2” of snow and he blocked the road until me, and a group of other motorists, pushed him to the kerbside so we could drive on safely on our winter tyres.

[Rustynuts]

The logic of " never needed one before so I don't need one in future..." Is undoubtedly not logical.

[Expatman]

Just now, Rustynuts said:

The logic of " never needed one before so I don't need one in future..." Is undoubtedly not logical.

Quite right, not logical at all! It is all a case of personal choice and risk management. If I get a puncture without a spare I rely on the AA (or whatever service you prefer) to get me out of trouble. Okay I might have to wait a few hours but as I am now retired and have the luxury of time being somewhat less pressing then to me it’s okay. if worse comes to worse I could always use the “slime” puncture sealant I carry as a “item of last resort”.

[Ootohere]

@Expatman

Choices. They are what people consider for their needs and circumstances.

If you only drive local you can always leave the 19kg at home and if needed get a taxi back to collect it,

the extra litres of space must be needed in the car that is stuffed full.

 

People likely to consider

Would we go to a place of safety and take 20 minutes maybe in adverse weather and change a wheel?

Go to a place of safety and wait an hour or 2 in adverse weather and wait for some responder and still you are not done there you still need to be hindered until 

the wheel / tyre is changed, the borrowed one returned, collected or what ever.

 

So you have not wrecked tyre or just had a puncture yet while following the friend who is a police officers advice?

Has that happened while you have been carrying a spare anytime?  Have you ever used slime?

 

I have a 7 seater that comes with no spare or jack or slime but self seal tyres. Hopeless in Summer or Winter ECO tyres.

I carry one spare in the rear & a trolley jack when using normally and put in a pair for heading away where getting a tyre would be an issue / PITA.

Carrying passengers and not having a spare is a no no for me, and if the car is so full that the spare is thought to take up loading up space then the car is too full IMO.

 

PS.

If we talk about people with cars on inappropriate tyres in winter, Police Vehicles are usually mentioned in Scotland.

They very often are totally inappropriate vehicles being used or not because they have inappropriate tyres fitted.

The drivers might have been on Offroad Driving courses and had tuition, so have more than an idea but get provided the wrong gear.

Some others are just clueless and have less common sense than they were born with.

http://inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fears-for-safety-as-lack-of-snow-tyres-on-999-vehicles-is-revealed-137076

http://dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/cop-car-scandal-police-scotland-13580538

 

Edited 30 March, 2019 by Skoffski

[J.R.]

9 hours ago, Expatman said:

Precisely, so you think it is worth risking your life to change a wheel. That’s not the action of a sensible person.

 

9 hours ago, Expatman said:

 

Well this non sensible but also non judgemental person is someone that takes responsability for his own actions and would rather risk his own life than that of someone else, be it the breakdown operative or the innocents that might be involved in the accident that may happen while the car remains in a dangerous position for much longer than it may be while I paint my nails.

 

 

 

[twoladies]

On 28/03/2019 at 19:02, Expatman said:

If you are changing cars perhaps the supplying garage would provide the muscle power required - it is not too heavy even for a car salesman!!  Click and collect Arnold Clark!  'Phoned....no tools!!!

 

On 28/03/2019 at 22:21, Expatman said:

Just a question but if you can’t lift the wheel how will you be able to change to the spare tyre if you have a puncture? I used to have spare tyres but as I am getting on a bit decided I would rather have the vastly increased boot space by eliminating the spare wheel. Part of my decision was on the advice of a Police friend who told me never to try and change the wheel by the side of a road because he had seen too many serious injuries and deaths of drivers hit by passing vehicles while attempting to change a wheel. His advice was to call the AA and get them to replace the tyre with one of the general fit tyres they now carry, then proceed to a tyre depot and get your tyre repaired and the AA pick their tyre up from the depot.

Incidentally this does not mean I am decrepit because I change form summer to winter tyres, and vice versa, twice a year - but I am in a drive with proper trolley jack and breaker bars etc.  Member of Green Flag!!

 

On 29/03/2019 at 08:12, Skoffski said:

Why not just have the AA, RAC, Greenflag, Police person put on the spare that is in the car?

'Simply easy, simply clever, simply likely to be quicker and save a 'responder' having to escort you to someplace to get their 'universal wheel back'. 

There might not be a tyre place near or open.

Then you do not need to change at the road side if you can pull off the road to a safe place.  

 

Location location location and there are still areas of the UK with no Mobile Phone reception, or habitation near by where you can get a phone, 

but if there is then maybe someone could help change a wheel.  Precisely - don't see why I should pay another £300 for a spare wheel!!

 

On 29/03/2019 at 08:13, Rustynuts said:

Having a spare wheel to change isn't the same as changing a spare wheel. Some recovery - roadside assistance companies specify that they'll only cover you provided you have a physical spare wheel to change if required rather than a pot of snot / compressor.

 

OP, as regards removing the spare wheel. At the top of the "Large Upright" is a large plastic screwed nut (about 10cm diameter) which tightens onto the top of the spare wheel and holds it in place. Unscrew this and the wheel will simply lift off the upright. Then the upright itself can be removed by simply pushing downwards and twisting 90° and it comes away. Refitting in the new vehicle is a reversal of this.  Ah now, THE answer to my question - I was told by 'another' salesman that holes had to be drilled etc for this post.!!  But he was trying to sell me another car and would throw in the removal for free! 

 

I really do appreciate all these replies - even being hijacked by 'mobile 'phone' opinions. hehehe  There is a tyre place opposite me - I will see if they will remove, hold and replace this before I go up to Milton Keynes.  Failing that, appeal to someone at AC!!  Seems no holes to be drilled.  Last chance saloon, I will simply heave out the spare and boxes and tape it down in my new car!!!!  The new one will be (I hope) a white outdoor SE 1.2.  Relying on you guys that this is enough power to get me down the M1!!!!  Not driven it yet!!!