| Don't ever say it won't happen to you. Statistics | | | | where they'll have to cut off and replace the lug |
| show that the average person will have 5 flat | | | | spindle (a very costly experience). |
| tires in their lifetime. That means you will have a | | | | 4) Flares and reflectors - you have to be safe. If |
| flat and it is best to be prepared for it. | | | | you have a flat in a hard to see area you want |
| I've seen people stuck on the side of the road | | | | to warn other drivers of your predicament so |
| with no spare, no jack or lug wrench and no cell | | | | you don't have a worse predicament. Also, pack a |
| phone. What if you get stranded down a far out, | | | | flashlight and extra batteries for night use - all the |
| little traveled country raod at night? You will be | | | | tools in the world won't help if you can't see |
| stranded for a long time. That is something we | | | | (regularly change the batteries once a year). |
| want to avoid. So here's a checklist of what to | | | | Now, for safety, when a flat occurs you need to |
| have with you at all times in your car: | | | | pull safely off the road. If on a busy interstate |
| 1) spare tire - this may sound mundane, but | | | | drive slowly until you are in a safe and relatively |
| many people out their are driving on their spare | | | | flat spot. Put your car in park and put on the |
| and take a big risk. | | | | emergency brake. |
| 2) jack and lug wrench - many people never | | | | Place reflectors or flares so as to give adequate |
| check to see if these items are in their car. Its a | | | | warning to other drivers. This spacing will be |
| fact that half of the used cars purchased in the | | | | different depending on whether you are in hilly |
| U.S. do not have all the tools necessary for a | | | | curves or on a straightaway. |
| proper tire change. Also make sure you have a | | | | Place the jack under the car on the jack mount |
| lug wrench that fits your car. This may sound | | | | area This is a area specially designed for your |
| stupid, but when I worked at a car dealership if | | | | jack and is covered in the owners manual. |
| the car didn't have a lug wrench and the | | | | Loosen all of the nuts and then crank the jack |
| customer wanted one, they just took one out of | | | | until the tire is several inches off the ground. |
| any car and put it in (never looking to see if it | | | | Remove the nuts and wheel. Place the spare on |
| would fit the lugs on the car in question). If you | | | | and tighten each lug finger tight to make the whel |
| have wheel covers you may need a large | | | | flush. |
| screwdriver to pop off the wheel cover (some | | | | Lower the jack so the wheel can't turn and |
| lug wrenches have this as one of their ends). | | | | tighten all nuts with the lug wrench. Then |
| 3) lock adapter - many people get the chrome, | | | | completely lower the jack and remove. Drive to |
| alloy wheels and have a lug lock installed so they | | | | your nearest auto service station and have your |
| can't easily be stolen. Just, never lose the lock | | | | flat replaced or repaired and reinstalled. This is |
| adapter or you won't be able to change that tire | | | | essential as many spares are not full spares and |
| without having the car towed to a car dealership | | | | aren't as safe. |