Is there a safe way to remove alloys?

HELPDESK:Answering all your motoring queries

From CQ: I’ve been offered the chance to change my company car from a Skoda Octavia to an upgraded list of models from Audi (A3), BMW (1 Series), and Volkswagen (Golf) or Volvo (S40). However, none of them seem to match the Skoda for space. What would you recommend? I’ve tried to see if I could opt for another Octavia in the same price bracket but I’m told the fleet company policy can’t be changed.

When you refer to space, I take it you mean rear-seat room and bootspace. None of these cars really match the Octavia, but the one that comes closest is the VW Golf. I accept that the policy can’t be changed to allow other makes or models, but there is the Golf Plus, which is a more spacious derivative of the popular VW and which will offer you more flexibility.

It’s worth checking if they will permit this. You can get a Trendline version of the 1.6-litre diesel – that’s in band B for motor tax – for €23,860. You should also try the Volvo V50, which is really just an estate version of the S40. If they won’t budge on either, then the Golf has the most rear-seat room. A final alternative might be to find out how much it would cost to buy out the Octavia from its lease if it’s really the car you need.

From TD: I have my first car with alloy wheels. On two occasions recently I got punctures. I have effortlessly changed many a wheel over the years but the alloy wheels defeated me. On both occasions I had to abandon the car overnight. The last time I had to get my insurance company to send out a rescue truck.

Removing the locking nuts was no problem. However, my attempts at removing the wheel from the axle resulted in my pulling the car off the jack. I was told that I should hit the back of the wheel with a lump hammer or mallet. I was afraid to lie down to do so lest the car come off the jack.

The rescue truck had a large garage-type jack that, firstly, would hold the car up no matter what and, secondly, could lift the car up higher than my ordinary jack, thus facilitating the striking of the back of the wheel. My dealer, when I spoke to him about it, seemed to be in denial about the problem, yet I believe it is widespread. Is there a safe way to remove an alloy wheel? Should purchasers of cars with such wheels not be made aware of the potential problem? One should not have to live in dread of a puncture.

It’s a relatively common problem with alloys caused by a chemical reaction between the steel/iron hub and the alloy wheels where they seem to bond together. The salted roads in winter don’t help matters. I’d be very surprised if your dealer has never encountered this before.

The best prevention would be to take off your alloys in a safe environment, clean the hub/wheel contact points, and use some grease to prevent it happening again. The dealer should be able to do this for you. It will make things easier when you get your next puncture.

On the side of the road, brute force remains the best policy. Some people carry a small-handled mallet to hit the tyre wall, or alternatively you can try taking off the nuts, then slowly lowering the car down on the jack. The weight of the car will hopefully help free the alloy but you need to be careful doing this and remain in control of the jack. As in every facet of life, prevention is better than cure so cleaning the hub and alloy contact points at home is probably the wisest move.

Send your queries to Motors Helpdesk, The Irish Times, Tara Street, Dublin 2 or e-mail motorshelp@irishtimes.com