How to Change a Flat Tire

Have you ever gone out to your car to find a flat tire?  What are you going to do?  Well, a lot of us will simply call AAA or another roadside service provider.  But what if AAA is not available, or if there is no cell phone service, or if your roadside assistance membership has expired?

Everyone needs to know how to change a tire in an emergency.  The process is simple if you know a few basic procedures and pay attention to safety.  The website, AutoSimple, gives us some basic steps for changing a tire.

To change a tire, you will need some tools:  a lug wrench, spare tire, and car jack.  These tools usually come with the car.  It is a good idea to make sure that your car has these tools before you need them and know where they are located.  In addition to these items, you might also want to purchase some additional tools, such as, a flashlight with good batteries, a wheel scotch block, warning triangles, and a poncho in case it is raining.

Here are the steps for changing a tire from AutoSimple:

1. Make sure your car is in a safe area, on a flat surface.

2. Remove the hubcap and get the spare tire out.

3. Loosen the lug nuts with a lug wrench (just a little bit). Use the star pattern as indicated in the illustrated guide below.

4. Reference your owner’s manual for the correct location to place the jack.

5. Raise the jack and make sure it has securely contacted the car’s frame.

6. Crank up the jack until the wheel is high enough to remove the tire.

7. Use the lug wrench to remove the lug nuts (you may be able to do this by hand). Make sure the lug nuts are in a secure place so that you don't lose them.

8. Remove the flat tire and place it flat on the ground.

9. Line up the spare tire with the wheel studs and put the lug nuts back into place with your hand. When you can’t turn the nuts or bolts any further, lower the jack until the wheel is on the ground.

10. Finish tightening the lug nuts with your wrench using the star pattern below.

11. Remember, a spare tire is only a temporary fix and should never be driven at high speeds. Get your tire repaired or replaced as soon as possible!

Source: AutoSimple -- www.autosimple.com/blog/6-new-years-resolutions-car/

This illustrated guide from the Art of Manliness will help you become comfortable with the process of changing a tire.

Source: Art of Manliness -- www.artofmanliness.com/skills/how-to/how-to-change-a-flat-tire/

Also, check out this video on changing a tire from Howdini.  You can access the video by clicking here -- https://youtu.be/joBmbh0AGSQ

How to Jump Start a Car

Cold weather can be hard on car batteries, especially if they are low on charge already.  Have you ever gone out on a cold winter morning to go somewhere only to find that your car won’t start?  The battery is dead.

Of course, the easy thing to do is to call AAA or a generous neighbor to get your car started.  But what if help is not available?

Everybody ought to know how to jump start a car.  It can save your day when you really need to go somewhere, and you will know how to help someone else when they are stuck with a dead battery.

Jump starting a car is easy.  The Art of Manliness website gives some simple instructions.  Here is what you will need:

• A jumper cable (a long one is helpful)

• A car with a fully charged battery

• A car with a dead battery

  Here are the steps you need to take.

  1. Start by parking the car with the good battery next to the car with the dead battery and turn off the engine.

  2. Next, connect the cables.

     a. Start by connecting the red (positive) cables. Connet one end of the red (positive) jumper cable to the positive terminal on the dead battery.

     b. Then, connect the other end of the red (positive) jumper able to the positive terminal on the good battery.

     c. Now, connect the black (negative) cables. Connect one end of the black (negative) jumper cable to the negative terminal on the good battery,

     d. Finally, connect the other end of the black (negative) jumper cable to a clean, unpainted metal surface under the hood of the disabled car. Connecting it to a metal surface instead of directly to the dead battery reduces the risk of sparks that can occasionally cause an explosion.

  3. Now start the car with the good battery and let it run for 2 or 3 minutes. Next, start the car with the dead battery.

  4. Now that both cars are running, remove the cables in reverse order.

  5. Let the jumped car run for at least 30 minutes to give the battery time to recharge.

Below is a simple illustrated guide to jump starting a car from the Art of Manliness website: https://www.artofmanliness.com/skills/manly-know-how/how-to-jump-start-a-car-the-complete-guide/

Here is also a short video from Art of Manliness on how to jump start a car. To view the video, click here.

New Year's Resolutions for Your Car

As the old year comes to a close and a new year begins, many of us make a list of

resolutions for the New Year. Eat health. Lose weight. Exercise. Spend more time with

the family. Take us a new hobby or sport. What about making some resolutions about

the care of your car?

AutoSimple has come up with 6 very practical resolutions that every car owner ought to

consider. Here they are:

1. Check and Change Your Oil. Keeping your car lubricated properly will do more

than anything to extend the life of your car. Also, not changing the oil regularly

can damage your car. Make is a practice to change your oil every 5,000 miles or

according to your Owners Manual. In addition, get in the habit of checking your

oil level at least once a month.

2. Learn How to Change a Tire. Sure, it is easier to call AAA or your roadside

service, but sometimes those services may not be available, or you may not have

cell phone service. In a pinch, could you change a tire on your car?

3. Take Care of Your Tires. Rotating your tires can cut down on uneven wear.

Replacing worn or thread-bare tires can keep you safe, especially when driving in

bad weather conditions.

4. Drive Safely. Make a point to practice safe driving in the New Year. Cut out

distractions that take your focus on the road. Put the cell phone away while

driving. Make road safety your top priority.

5. Learn How to Jump Start a Vehicle. Have you ever been late for a meeting and

find that your car won’t start because the battery is low? Jump starting a car is a

very simple process, but it is important to do it correctly to be safe.

6. Check Fluids and Follow a Maintenance Schedule. Make a commitment to have

your car serviced on a regular schedule. If unsure about what to do, check your

Owners Manual. And make sure that all the fluid level are adequate—brake

fluid, transmission fluid, windshield wiper fluid and oil levels.

To learn more read the article from AutoSimple, click here.