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So, yesterday morning, I ran over a nail on the way to work. After pulling onto a side road, that was well lit, I managed to jack my 04 civic up and take all the lug nuts off. Everything as expected up until this point.

I then try and pull my flat tire off. It doesn't budge. Almost like the lug nuts were still on. I kicked it many times but to no avail. Finally, I pulled out my smarthphone and read a tip that worked and wanted to share.

I put the lug nuts back on and hand tightened them about halfway, leaving space between the bottom of the nut and the rim. I then lowered the car back down and when enough weight was put back on the wheel, I heard a pop and that was the wheel hitting the lug nuts and becoming unstuck. After that, it was smooth sailing.

I didn't figure this out, it was something I read and wanted to share it in case someone else might need this tip. I know this might be common sense or knowledge to most of you, but it made my day yesterday morning.

Any other tire change tricks? Other useful tricks?

 
Rep Power: 279

Occasionally I would come across some tires like this. Usually they have never been removed, or are rusted in place. Either way, it is a good indicator of poor maintenance.

If beating it with the palm of your hand does not work, use pb blaster, and just wait. Or use a hammer on the backside of the tire.

 
Rep Power: 307

I do my own rotations and use a wire brush around the center hub and wipe mating surfaces with a WD40 soaked rag.

Even then in crappy weather you get one hard to release, but never that bad though.

 
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I get my tires rotated every time I get an oil change, roughly 5k miles. Is there something else I need to get teh shop to do? Is there something I can do after they rotate them?

I agree that some of the other techniques you said will work, but I wanted to let people know in case they get a flat and don't have those tools with them.

Maybe I need to get a "Just In Case" set of tools for the car.

 
Rep Power: 517

I can tell you don't have the pleasure of dealing with anything from the rust belt.

This "problem" is dead common up here.
A few good kicks, or maybe a 4 lb sledge.
Wire brush, rust buster, anti-seize.

 
Rep Power: 173

+1 to what he said. My friend's GF posted a Facebook picture of three of us standing around kicking the crap out of his Accord's tire. It was embarrassing, but a good donkey-kick is all you need in the end :-)

 
Rep Power: 290

I've never had to deal with rust.
No snow, no salt in California

But I still do apply a thin layer of anti seize on the rotor hub, and the stud threads.

If you live in rust prone area, anti seize is your best friend.
I apply it on every bolt and nut I remove regardless of rust or not.