A recent survey conducted by Cooper Tires found that the majority of Americans say they can change a tire. With younger generations, especially millennials, buying fewer cars than older generations, the prevalence of basic car skills and the ability to handle road mishaps, such as a flat tire, might appear to be waning. However, Cooper 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 Co. “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. Seventy-eight 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.
Read the full list of findings here.