Jan. 3, 2019—A recent survey conducted by Cooper Tires found that almost three-fourths of Americans say they are confident they know how to change a tire.
"Our survey found that 81 percent of respondents have experienced a flat tire so, unfortunately, this is something that most drivers will face," said Jessica Egerton, director, brand development, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. "We want all drivers to be prepared for and armed with tire-change know-how and Cooper offers step-by-step instructions on installing a spare tire on your car to get you back on your way until you can reach a mechanic."
In addition to better understanding Americans' abilities when it comes to changing a tire, the survey also uncovered interesting links between habits, preferences, and tire change know-how.
Key findings include:
People who make (and keep) New Year's resolutions know how to change a tire
- 82 percent of respondents who make New Year's resolutions know how to change a tire, compared to 67 percent who don't make resolutions.
- Respondents who "always" or "sometimes" keep their resolutions are very likely to know how to change a tire (92 percent and 83 percent, respectively), while those who never keep their resolutions fall back to 72 percent—roughly the same number as those who don't make resolutions at all.
There's no generation gap (or so people say)
- Somewhat surprisingly, younger Americans (millennials and Generation Xers) are more likely to say they know how to change a tire than older Americans. 78 percent of Gen Xers and 77 percent of millennials say they can change a tire, compared to 71 percent of baby boomers, 70 percent of Gen Z, and 67 percent of the Silent & Greatest Generations.
Right-handed or left-handed? No difference here
- 74 percent of both righties and lefties say they know how to change a tire—no other subgroup produced a tie.
Hot beverage drinkers are tire-change savvy
- Coffee drinkers (75 percent) are more apt at changing tires than tea drinkers (70 percent), but people who like both are the best tire-changers of the bunch (79 percent).
