These days, when you get a flat tire, you’ll probably just flip out your cell phone and make a service call. Still, the time may come when that won’t be possible. There may come a day when you actually have to do that dreaded deed: get out of your car and change the tire yourself.
When that day comes, you’ll want to be ready; youll want to get the job done quickly, efficiently, and with as little stress and risk to yourself as possible. Read on, and prepare yourself.
Know the ropes.
When you’re actually faced with changing a tire on a dark roadside, you won’t want to be reading an instruction manual. One of the best ways to prepare yourself is to make a dry-run at changing a tire in a place and at a time that is convenient for you, such as in your driveway or a parking lot. This allows you to familiarize yourself with the process in optimum conditions. Once you can manage it in daylight, try it a few times at night.
Keep necessary equipment in your vehicle.
“Necessary equipment” includes a spare tire (preferably inflated), a car jack, a brick (to wedge against a front tire, if you’re changing a...