On Sunday I visited some friend in Salt Lake City. When I left and went to my card I noticed that one of my tires was flat. Suddenly I remembered my car sounding funny when I was drive up there. But I had had my headphones in because I was talking to my mom on the phone. When I hung up I just switched over to listening to my iPod. I probably drove most of the way with this flat tire. So when I got to my car I thought well I might as well just drive to a gas station and so I did. I tried pumping the tire up with the hopes that I could still drive on it. Not so much. There were bulges all over! I decided that I was going to have to put on the little donut tire.
Now I have had flat tires before but never have I had to change one on my own. I was actually looking forward to the challenge (at least a little bit.) I called my sister to let her know that I was going to be a little late. I was going to stop by and drop off her computer which I had been working on. She volunteered to come and help and before I knew it I accepted her offer. When I got off the phone I got the jack and lug wrench out and started working on replacing it. I got to thinking, "Why do I need my older sister to come rescue me?! I'm a man. I can totally handle this!" I called her back and told her not to come that I was totally fine.
So I got back to work. Got the car all jacked up. Got the lug nuts off. But then I could not get the tire to actually come off the axle. I panicked and called one of my friends that I had just seen. (I definitely couldn't call my sister back!) He was already on his way home to north SLC. I told him that I couldn't get the stupid wheel off. He said he'd turn around and come back to help. I felt bad but he insisted. In the meantime I kept bugging the nice Indian family running the Sinclair I was at. I thought there must be something that I missing about changing a tire. He came out a took a look at the tire and then gave it a good kick. Oh! That did the trick! That was the step I was unfamiliar with. After that it was smooth sailing. I got the old tire in the trunk and the new one installed and inflated. I called my friend back and tried to insist that I was fine and to go ahead and go home. But he is stubborn and I just gave up. I went in and got cleaned up in the restroom. I felt so bad about bothering the family running the store that I needed to buy a Diet Dr Pepper even though it was Sunday. (flat tire = ox in the mire) When I came out my friend was waiting for me. Once again I tried to tell him I was fine but he insisted on following me to my sister's house. It's nice to have such a good friend.
So now there are no doubts, I can change a flat tire all by myself minus the swift kick. But I'm pretty sure I can do that next time. :)
