Spare Tires
Don’t get caught with a flat tire
One of the worst things that can happen on the road is a flat tire – one moment you’re running along fine, and next thing you know, your car is making terrible noises and edging to one side. A spare tire will come in handy during these times – in fact, every car should have one. In fact, you should have spare tires handy so that you don’t end up stranded with no way to get moving again, no matter what type of vehicle you drive.
Though flat tires are annoying and dangerous, they’re a part of driving. Learn how to shop for spare tires so that you’re not caught without one when you get your next flat.
Choosing a Spare Tire and Spare Tire Accessories
While spare tires are generally included with every vehicle, they are often temporary fixes for flats that happen far away from a mechanic, service station or tire store. These compact spare tires, or “donut” tires as they are called, are only meant for short, emergency drives, and will fail after approximately 25 miles, with a maximum speed of 50 miles per hour. They just won’t work if you’re a long way from help.
Thus, you should always carry a second spare tire, especially if you have a truck or SUV that has the room to house a spare tire carrier. In this case, you can place a full-sized tire in a spare tire rack or spare tire mount so that you have it when you need it. To protect your spare tire, consider buying spare tire covers to keep it safe from the elements.
How to Change a Tire
Changing a tire is pretty simple. All cars come with a jack, but if you don’t have one, you’ll need to purchase this accessory so you can boost your car up to remove a flat tire. Most cars will indicate in the user manual where to place the jack. If you can’t find the indicated spot, then place it in a notch just in front of the wheel well, included by the car manufacturer as a guide for situations like this. Remove your tire’s hub cap and lift your tire off the ground. Loosen the lug nuts using the specialized tool included with the jack in your car’s tire-changing kit. Then, lift the flat tire off, put the spare on in its place and secure it by fastening the lug nuts back in place.
Having a spare tire in your vehicle can help you when you’re in a pinch on the road. Consider shopping for a full-sized tire and rack so that you don’t have to depend on a donut tire when you’re far from home.
