I’ve Seen Hundreds of Roadside Emergencies — Here’s Why I Think Twice About DIY Tire Changes

By David Fortune

I’ve worked in roadside assistance long enough to notice a pattern.

Flat tires rarely happen in convenient places.

They don’t happen in driveways on calm afternoons. They happen on highways. On narrow shoulders. In the rain. Late at night.

And almost every week, I hear the same sentence:

“I thought I could handle it myself.”

Sometimes they can.

Sometimes they shouldn’t.

Experience has taught me the difference.

The Confidence Trap

Changing a tire is considered a basic life skill. Many drivers learn it early. Loosen the lug nuts, lift the vehicle, swap the wheel, tighten everything back down.

In theory, it’s straightforward.

But theory doesn’t account for traffic moving at 70 miles per hour just a few feet away from you.

At highway speed, vehicles travel nearly 90 feet per second. That means if someone drifts toward the shoulder, there’s almost no reaction time. Add darkness or poor weather, and the risk multiplies.

From the roadside perspective, I can tell you this: the environment matters more than the task.

Weight Is Not Just a Number

Most passenger vehicles weigh between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds. When lifting one corner of that weight using a compact emergency jack, stability becomes everything.

Emergency jacks are designed for temporary use. They work well on level, solid surfaces — not always on sloped shoulders or loose gravel.

Over the years, I’ve responded to situations where a vehicle shifted unexpectedly while being lifted. Thankfully, most ended without serious injury. But it doesn’t take much for something routine to become dangerous.

That’s often when drivers realize the situation calls for more than confidence — it calls for proper equipment and preparation.

The Torque Detail Most Drivers Overlook

One of the most common problems we see isn’t the flat tire itself. It’s what happens afterward.

Lug nuts must be tightened to specific torque specifications. For many vehicles, that range falls between 80 and 140 ft-lbs, depending on the manufacturer.

Too loose, and vibration can occur at highway speed. Too tight, and wheel studs may stretch or strip.

The standard wrench that comes with most cars doesn’t measure torque. It relies on feel. And “tight enough” isn’t always precise enough.

Professionals use calibrated torque tools for a reason. That precision reduces the chance of problems later — something drivers rarely think about in the moment.

Time Exposure Is the Real Risk

Here’s something most drivers underestimate: exposure time.

The longer you’re standing on the shoulder of a busy road, the greater the risk becomes. Every passing vehicle introduces unpredictability — distracted drivers, sudden lane shifts, weather changes, or reduced visibility.

Many do-it-yourself tire changes take 30 to 45 minutes under stressful roadside conditions.

When someone calls a flat tire change Service, the technician usually arrives prepared — hydraulic jacks, impact tools, lighting, and safety positioning. The job gets completed efficiently, reducing the amount of time the driver remains exposed to traffic.

And in roadside environments, exposure is often the biggest danger.

Weather Changes Everything

Rain can increase braking distances by 30 to 40 percent. Snow and ice reduce traction even further. Nighttime glare affects depth perception and visibility.

Combine those conditions with a narrow shoulder or a curve in the road, and the situation becomes far less predictable.

From years of roadside experience, I’ve learned that conditions — not skill level — are what truly determine safety.

You might know exactly what to do mechanically. That doesn’t mean the environment is cooperating.

When DIY Makes Sense — And When It Doesn’t

There are times when changing your own tire is perfectly reasonable:

• A flat in your driveway

• A quiet, well-lit parking lot

• Calm weather with stable ground

But there are also times when reconsidering is wise:

• Highways with heavy traffic

• Poor visibility or storms

• Narrow shoulders or blind curves

• Large SUVs or heavier vehicles

• No spare tire available

Modern vehicles also add complexity. Tire pressure monitoring systems, larger wheels, and newer vehicle designs make proper handling more important than ever.

Knowing how to change a tire is useful. Knowing when not to may be even more valuable.

Pride vs. Practical Judgment

I understand the instinct to handle things yourself. Independence is admirable.

But roadside safety isn’t about pride — it’s about judgment.

Every year, roadside workers and drivers are injured because traffic environments are unpredictable. Even when you do everything correctly, you cannot control the actions of passing motorists.

Choosing assistance in certain situations isn’t about convenience. It’s about minimizing risk.

And from what I’ve witnessed firsthand, minimizing exposure is what keeps people safe.

The Perspective Experience Brings

After responding to countless roadside calls across the country, one lesson stands out clearly:

The risk is rarely the tire itself.

The risk is everything happening around it.

A flat tire is manageable.

Fast-moving traffic, unstable surfaces, poor lighting, and human unpredictability are not.

That’s why I encourage drivers to pause before jumping into action.

Ask yourself:

• Is this location safe?

• Are the conditions stable?

• Do I have the right tools?

• Am I increasing my risk unnecessarily?

Sometimes the smartest decision is stepping back and choosing the safer option.

Final Thoughts

Changing a tire is a practical skill. It’s something every driver should understand at a basic level.

But understanding when conditions make it unsafe is equally important.

From years in roadside operations, I’ve learned this: safety decisions aren’t about proving capability. They’re about reducing unnecessary exposure.

Sometimes that means handling it yourself.

And sometimes it means recognizing that the environment makes it a different situation entirely.

Experience has taught me to evaluate the risk first — and act second.