How To Properly Fix A Flat Tire
Keywords: flat tire, flat, tire, lug nut, lug wrench, repair, car, safety, how to, spare, spare tire, road
Don’t ever say it won’t happen to you. Statistics show that the average person will have 5 flat tires in their lifetime. That means you will have a flat and it is best to be prepared for it.
I’ve seen people stuck on the side of the road with no spare, no jack or lug wrench and no cell phone. What if you get stranded down a far out, little traveled country raod at night? You will be stranded for a long time. That is something we want to avoid. So here’s a checklist of what to have with you at all times in your car:
1) spare tire - this may sound mundane, but many people out their are driving on their spare and take a big risk.
2) jack and lug wrench - many people never check to see if these items are in their car. Its a fact that half of the used cars purchased in the U.S. do not have all the tools necessary for a proper tire change. Also make sure you have a lug wrench that fits your car. This may sound stupid, but when I worked at a car dealership if the car didn’t have a lug wrench and the customer wanted one, they just took one out of any car and put it in (never looking to see if it would fit the lugs on the car in question). If you have wheel covers you may need a large screwdriver to pop off the wheel cover (some lug wrenches have this as one of their ends).
3) lock adapter - many people get the chrome, alloy wheels and have a lug lock installed so they can’t easily be stolen. Just, never lose the lock adapter or you won’t be able to change that tire without having the car towed to a car dealership where they’ll have to cut off and replace the lug spindle (a very costly experience).
4) Flares and reflectors - you have to be safe. If you have a flat in a hard to see area you want to warn other drivers of your predicament so you don’t have a worse predicament. Also, pack a flashlight and extra batteries for night use - all the tools in the world won’t help if you can’t see (regularly change the batteries once a year).
Now, for safety, when a flat occurs you need to pull safely off the road. If on a busy interstate drive slowly until you are in a safe and relatively flat spot. Put your car in park and put on the emergency brake.
Place reflectors or flares so as to give adequate warning to other drivers. This spacing will be different depending on whether you are in hilly curves or on a straightaway.
Place the jack under the car on the jack mount area This is a area specially designed for your jack and is covered in the owners manual.
Loosen all of the nuts and then crank the jack until the tire is several inches off the ground. Remove the nuts and wheel. Place the spare on and tighten each lug finger tight to make the whel flush.
Lower the jack so the wheel can’t turn and tighten all nuts with the lug wrench. Then completely lower the jack and remove. Drive to your nearest auto service station and have your flat replaced or repaired and reinstalled. This is essential as many spares are not full spares and aren’t as safe.
David Maillie is an alumni of Cornell University and specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information please visit: www.mdwholesale.com
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Great Tips On Lowering Auto Insurance Costs (1)
Keywords: insurance, premium, auto, discount, auto insurance, insurance premium, points, dui, drunk, dmv, dot With car sales prices continuously increasing, recent hikes in gas prices, and ever present sales and state taxes on our cars it has become vitally important to find ways to save money and keep costs down.
How To Go About Car Detailing On Your Own (2)
Always keep in mind to work your way downwards from the top. Rub the body in soft circular motions and rinse off. Soak dry with a soft towel.
Acne Treatments That Dermatologists Actually Recommend And Use (3)
Acne starts as a blockage of the hair follicle by skin cells that are not properly exfoliated and excess sebum (oil). The plugged up hair follicle will eventually become infected as it is an excellent environment and breeding ground for bacteria.
How To Properly Repair Chips And Deep Scratches On Your Car (4)
David Maillie specializes in automotive safety products and information. He holds numerous patents and awards for his patented headlight cleaner and restorer. For more information, tips, safety and money saving products for your auto please visit www.mdwholesale.com
Hyundai Closing In On Honda As Their Brand Value Rises (5)
Large automotive dealership chains like Hendrick Automotive Group and Sonic are adding Hyundai dealerships as fast as they can be built. Hyundai is not sitting on its laurels with the good news, however.
What Causes Hair Loss In Women (6)
This can be caused by over exertion, stress both physical and emotional, thyroid problems and medicinal side effects. Many medicines have varying degrees in loss of hair as a side effect.
Hurricane John Becomes Category 3 Major Hurricane Threatens Mexico (7)
And they both had potential to cause awesome damage. If the current hurricane John tracks to the right as predicted, the coastal areas of Mexico like Acapulco could be devastated by mudslides, flooding and powerful and deadly flash floods.
Helpful Treatment For Dry Textured Hair From The Professionals (8)
Hair treatments like oil therapy and such can also be helpful with dry textured hair. In some cases, where the hair is also very thick then a thinning may be necessary.
How To Improve Your Gas Mileage In You Car (9)
For maximum cooling make sure you close your vents when you have the air on (many cars need you to reset this every time you turn on the car). You could really save by finding alternative transportation - walking, ride the bus, car pool, or even riding a motorcycle (some get 50+ mpg).
Best Car Wash And Wax Tips From The Pros (10)
Proper car care to include washing, waxing, and polishing will not only make your car look its best, but will help retain its value and make it last longer. For the purpose of this article we questioned numerous detailing experts and other similar professionals as to what works best.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
Headlight Restoration Increases Driving Safety (1)
Now there is an alternative, headlight restoration. You can restore these cloudy headlights to like new condition and be safe again. Restored headlights look new and have the same light output and safety of new headlights for a fraction of the cost.
5 Guaranteed Acne Care And Treatment Tips (2)
These cleansers will leave you with fresh, clean skin and are recommended by virtually every dermatologist in America. 3. Moisturize. ThatÂ’s right, moisturize. Even for oily, acne prone skin.
Best Car Care Makeover From The Detailing Experts (3)
Another good idea is to use a headlight cleaning and restoration kit like the ones professionals use to make ugly, cloudy and worn headlights look like new. This will save you from costly replacements, give you better night time driving safety, and just make your car look that much better.
Monarch Butterflies - Their 1800 Mile Flight To Freedom (4)
For centuries, the black and orange Monarchs have been great winter attractions in the Californian and Mexican regions. However, no one had any clue to this huge influx of Monarch butterflies in these regions.
What Is Paintless Dent Repair? (5)
It was started as a way to save money and spruce up the cars, which not only made them look better, but also made them fetch a higher sale price.
Great Tips To Keep You Safe On The Road (6)
According to the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety: An average of 9 out of every 10 cars on the road today has dirty or yellowed headlights that greatly reduce vision and need to be replaced or restored.
Why Ford Motor Company Is Losing Market Share Fast To Hyundai (7)
This is true in most mega rich and entrepreneurial families, the kids will never attain 1 millionth of the accomplishments of their fathers. They do not have the ability or the drive.
How To Advertise Your Internet Business And Drive Traffic And Sales For Pennies (8)
4. Donate some money in your internet business name and then use a press release to cover it. Have a professional write the press release for you and watch the resultant traffic and sales.
Windshield Repair Will Save You Big Money Over Replacement (9)
This, when properly done, will have a better effect at removing water and rain then advertised window treatments and it lasts ten times longer (waxing the glass also stops squeaky windshield wipers).
What You Need To Know About Debt That The Credit Card Companies Do Not Want You To Know (10)
Good debt is an item like a house or mortgage that will increase in value. Bad debt is that 50 inch flat panel TV you bought on your credit card and are paying the minimum balance on.