Dont you just......

[eno]

..... feel a prat when you can't even change the wheel on your car.

Went to go shopping this morning .... car has a flat. No problem one would think just replace it with the spare.

The spare is located in a cage on the underside of the back of the car with a bolt in the boot (trunk) for loosening the cage. I undid the bolt and allowed the cage to drop .... but where was the spare wheel? ..... Answer still attached to the bottom of the car with some plate that is impossible to undo. The manual says place the end of the wheelbrace in the slot and pull ..... all this whilst lying on your back in the middle of the road.  
Next thought ..... contact the dealer and ask for advice.... got through to the service reception ...

"Can I speak to a mechanic please?"

"What is it regarding?"

"I'm trying to get the spare wheel off the bottom of my car"

"I'll just ask one of the other receptionists."...... click ... hold music.
A couple of minutes later....
"It tells you in the manual how to remove the spare wheel."

Now slightly miffed..... "Is that what I asked? ..... do you think I haven't checked the manual?.... If the manual was clear  then I wouldn't be phoning you.... Why are you asking receptionist? Why haven't you put me through to a mechanic?

"We cant put you through to a technician and we really shouldn't be giving advice over the phone."

"Why can't a mechanic advise me?"

"If something goes wrong we may be liable."

Now really angry ....

"IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG AND YOU HAVE ASKED A RECEPTIONIST .... NOT A MECHANIC THEN YOU ARE LIABLE NOT THE MECHANIC WHO WILL BE COVERED BY INSURANCE!!!!!....... do you get the irony of that?..... can you at least ask a mechanic?"

"I'm sorry but we are unable to put you through to a mechanic..."

At this point I realised that I wasn't going to get anywhere  and put the phone  down.

I'm now waiting for roadside assistance.

[Craig.]

I know the feeling. Do you drive a BMW by any chance? sounds simmilar to the problem i had.
Mine dropped to the road, but the screw welded itself to the nut. Took a hell of a lot of time and effort to free it. And a busted finger to go with. Why they cant lay the dang thing in the boot I dont know.

[eno]

Had the RAC out ........ it was the security plate for preventing theft of the spare.... It was impossible to remove using the "Approved method".

Like you said Craig the plate was welded to the screw by muck and gunk the. We had to remove the carpet in the boot and undo the plate from the inside. Better with the spare inside a well in the boot for all the palarva caused, it's easier to unload a boot.

[beaky]

A little advice for next time:

Drill a hole in the hood (or "bonnet"); pass a large bolt thru there; toss your spare onto the hood( a real road wheel, not one of them cheesy "donut" thingies); put a big fender washer and wing-nut on top, and there ya go- no more tire-changing trouble.

For once I am glad I drive a crappy old Tracker, with the spare mounted on the tailgate... !

[BMan1113VR]

I know Ford Explorer's have a difficult to find system that allows you to drop the tire. . .

Sounds like you had a bad day. . .what type of car is it (the bmw?)?

[eno]

It's a Citroen ..... and after the debacle with the service receptionist ... they won't be getting my custom again.  >:(

[Omag 2.0]

By and Opel/Vauxhall... they put the spare nicely in the trunk, just under the carpetplate... easy to reach...

[eno]

By and Opel/Vauxhall... they put the spare nicely in the trunk, just under the carpetplate... easy to reach...

That's exactly what I want ...... but not in a Vauxhall  ::)

[ozzy72]

You're not having a good day Andy

[eno]

Could be worse ........ it could be raining..... ahhh it is  :'(

[Hagar]

Had my first puncture in many years a couple of weeks ago. I was pleasantly surprised to find my spare wheel (one of them 'cheesy donut thingies' of Sean's) in the boot under the carpet & a brand new set of tools to go with it. Not only that but I was amazed there was air in the tyre. Just as well as I was stranded in complete darkness on the M40 over 100 miles from home.

[expat]

It's a Citroen

Then that is half the problem to start with. My father in law is obsessed with Citroen. His last 5 cars have all been Citroen's. Each one has either fallen apart as he drove it, or in the case of the XM very quickly turned itself back into iron ore.

Matt

[eno]

There is one good thing about Citroens ....... once everything loose falls off the engine keeps going forever. This is the second Citroen I have owned and I didn't have any problems with the first apart from a persistant rattle from the dash which cured itself once the offending screw worked it's way out