Flat Tire

My wife was driving home from work last week, heard a thumping noise. Pulled in the driveway, the low tire pressure light came on. She pulled into the garage and shut it down and got out. Could hear air hissing from the left rear. Made troubleshooting easy I guess.

Turns out she must have run over a nail or screw, which got thrown out of the tire. Not an issue, we have all done it. Lucky she was so close to home, if you have to get a flat, in your garage is the best place.

I jacked up the car to take the tire off, so I could take it to get fixed the next morning. Easier than putting the spare on. Loosened the lugs a bit, jacked it up, put the jackstand under, and took the lugs off. Could not get the tire to come off the hub, would not budge.

I have had good luck giving a kick to one side then the other of the tire, or hitting the rim from behind with a rubber mallet, no luck getting it loose. I have a compressor at home, used it to fill the tire back up. I put two lugs on half way, let it down off the jack, and backed up two feet, stepped hard on the break. Pulled forward again, hit the break. Shut down, jacked it back up (jackstand too), and the wheel had broken free.

Really just wanted to pass along a tip that can help get a stuck wheel off if it is stubborn. Will work on most any car, easiest option if you don't have access to a lift that will let you get behind the wheel to hit it harder.

Got the tire plugged, took it home and put it back on, my wife was on her way to work on time the next morning. I got extra husband points for that, which I can always use.