auto

Changing a Tire
by Kevin Schappell

It always happens at the worst times! You need to know how to change a tire even if you have an auto club membership. Depending on where you get a flat, there may not be a phone nearby to call a tow truck. Let's take is step by step and always remember to read your owners manual, there will be detailed instructions relating to your car there. I should mention also a few tips for getting to the side of the road safely if you have a blowout on the road.

    * Stay calm, do not panic
    * Slowly take your foot off of the gas and let the vehicle coast to a stop.
    * Do not make any sudden braking or steering actions.
    * Put your flashers on to alert other drivers.
    * Now that you are safely off of the road.

Step 1: Make sure you are on firm level ground and away from traffic. If you are not, then try to drive to a better spot, but only if you can do it safely. Avoid going back onto the road and into traffic.

Step 2: Set your emergency brake and put the car in Park or 1st gear if you have a manual transmission. Make sure the engine is turned off.

Step 3: Locate the spare tire, jack, and lug wrench. These are usually located in the trunk underneath the carpet on cars. Trucks usually have the jack and lug wrench behind the seat or under the hood, with the spare tire under the bed.

Step 4: Typically there are instructions printed on the jack or somewhere near the storage compartment. Read these instructions, they will tell you where to jack the vehicle and any special steps you will need to take.

Step 5: First remove the hubcap or wheel cover. The lug wrench often has a flat end, which you can use to pry off the cover. If not, a screwdriver will work just fine.

Step 6: Before you jack the car up you will want to break loose the lug nuts. The weight of the car will keep the wheel from spinning and allow you to apply more force to the nuts. You do not want to completely remove the lug nuts yet.... just break them loose. Once the lug nut begins to move, STOP and move onto the next one. I often carry a small pipe, which will fit over the lug wrench. This pipe can provide additional leverage and allow you to get those stubborn lug nuts off. Always remember righty tighty, lefty loosy. Turn the lug nuts left or counter clockwise to loosen.

Step 7: Now it's time to jack up the car. Make sure you know where the manufacturer has placed jacking points by reading the owners manual or the instructions near or on the jack. Most cars will have a reinforced lip where the jack can be placed. If you can not locate this, look for a solid portion of the frame to jack on. Make sure the jack is on firm level ground and start jacking. Take it slowly and only go as far as you need to get the wheel off.

Step 8: The wheel is off the ground and it's time to remove the lug nuts. Use the wrench or your fingers to remove the nuts. Slowly take the wheel off and set it to the side.

Step 9: Get the new wheel and put it on the car. Tighten the lug nuts as tight as you can without the wheel spinning. Don't worry about getting the nuts super tight, as you will do the final tightening when the car is off of the jack.

Step 10: Let the car down off of the jack and get your lug wrench. Tighten the lug nuts in a star pattern if there are five nuts. Start with one lug nut and skip the next one until they are all tight. If you have 4 nuts, just tighten the opposite nut from where you started and then the remaining two in any order.

Step 11: Replace your wheel cover or hubcap and clean up the jack, lug wrench and blown tire. If your spare tire had air in it, you should be able to continue your journey.

Finally: Remember if you have a temporary spare tire (AKA doughnut) you can only drive a few miles to a service station and usually not over 50 MPH.

About The Author
Kevin Schappell maintains http://www.carbuyersclub.com where he gives advice on buying, selling, insurance, and financing. A mechanical engineer and car guy, Kevin has decided to spend his online time helping others learn about automobiles. To learn more about how your car works, Kevin has created http://www.mycarwizard.com kevin@schappell.com

Know What to do if You're in an Auto Accident

No one wants to think about being in an auto accident. But even the safest drivers can be involved in an accident and the fact is that if it happens to you, you may be upset, frightened and not thinking straight. Knowing what to do and being prepared will help you deal with an accident.

The best defense is a good offense, and prevention is the easiest way to avoid an accident. Make sure your car is in good working order so that you don't stall out on the highway going 60 miles an hour. Check your brakes regularly so you know you can stop when you need to, and make sure your tires are in good shape -- worn down treads give you less control, especially in wet driving conditions. Drive defensively -- don't eat, talk on the phone, or do anything else that will distract you from the road while driving. Always wear your seatbelt, and make sure kids are buckled into appropriate car seats.

And before you hit the road, make sure you have adequate insurance coverage. Be sure to keep proof of insurance, along with the phone number of your agent or insurance company, in your car. Farmers Insurance Group has introduced a new service called Farmers HelpPoint that not only speeds up the claims process but also assists customers who have just been through a crisis. "Clients call a toll-free number and reach a claims representative who will immediately start the claims process and get them whatever help they need -- such as a tow-truck or rental car, explains Farmers' Bryan Murphy.

Farmers HelpPoint representatives are trained not only to handle claims information, but also provide comfort to customers who are under duress. Dale Nesis, of Hometown, Ill., called Farmers HelpPoint shortly after she had been in a three-car accident. "I had never been in an accident before, so it was kind of devastating, Nesis said. "I was so scared I couldn't stop shaking. They put me so much at ease. They were wonderful."

If you are involved in an accident, the first consideration is safety. If you're on the highway, it could be dangerous to leave the car until law enforcement personnel can block traffic. You should call the police any time you are involved in an auto accident.

If it's safe to get out of the car, check for injuries among your passengers and among other drivers and their passengers. Make sure everyone involved in the accident is OK. A person's wellbeing is much more important than damage to their vehicles. In the event of a minor fender bender, emergency medical care may not be necessary. But if there's any doubt, call 911 for medical help at once. A cell phone makes it easy to get the help you need quickly.

Write down the names, addresses, phone numbers and license numbers of everyone involved in the accident. Keep a pad of paper and a pen or pencil in your glove box for emergencies. You'll also want to get the names and phone numbers of any passenger in the vehicles, as well as anyone who witnessed the accident.

Write down a description of the other vehicles involved in the accident, as well as specifics regarding the damage to each vehicle. It is a good idea to keep a disposable camera in your car so you can photograph the exterior and interior of the vehicles involved in the accident. Try to get all angles -- front, back and sides.

Record details about the accident, such as the location; note any special circumstances such as bad weather conditions or low visibility. "You may think you'll remember this information, but it's better to get the details down now while they're still fresh in your mind, says Murphy.

Finally, notify your insurance company as soon as possible after the accident. They will give you instructions on how to file a claim and any further steps you should take to deal with the accident.

For more information on what to do in the event of a car accident, or for more information on FarmersHelpPoint, visit www.farmers.com.

Courtesy of ARA