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A major phrase in the prayer of most people when driving out of their home is “Jesus take the wheels” , not “Jesus change or fix the wheels”.
Implies if you need a wheel change, you gotta do it yourself. For God will not do for man, what man ought to do for himself!
I’ve got a driver who will change it for me… I will drive into a nearby mechanic workshop… there are vulcanisers everywhere…It doesn’t matter, you never know what can happen.
A wise man once said: it is better to be prepared and not have opportunity; than to have opportunity and not be prepared.
Imagine driving your car on a lonely road, maybe at night…with your wife and kids. Then all of a sudden your car goes wobbly… what could be wrong, is it a flat tire?
Yes your fears are real, oh no you’ve got a flat tire.
What do you do? How do you fix it?
Having a flat tire can happen to anyone or any car, it could occur under a variety of circumstances and reasons. These circumstances will determine how the tire is fixed. If the flat occurs on a busy freeway without the possibility of driving the vehicle off the road, then you may strongly consider the towing option i.e. using a tow vehicle for assistance.
Although this does not come free or cheap, also depending on the time of the day and the traffic situation, it may take a longer time to get help.
Let’s say the towing option is out of the bouquet, you have to roll with the punches yeah?
Now, if you are lucky enough to have all the basic tools required by FRSC (road safety corps car requirement) in your car good for you, then you may consider the option of rising to the occasion and doing the fix yourself.
If by any chance you do not have any of this basic tools (you should have it in your car anyway) then the option of waving down a fellow motorist to borrow tools is most probable or walking to the nearest vulcanizer and have him come over to get the tire changed or fixed.
For this context, we will be working with you having the basic tools in your car. (If you don’t please get it asap)
A chance for daddy to save the day!!!
As stated earlier, a flat tire or deflated tire typically shows up unexpectedly and automatically assume the top position of your priority list. A flat tire can happen to anyone at any time and anywhere. It does not matter if you just bought your tires, if you had a full car or if you were the only one in your car.
However the situation you find yourself, the basic mechanics of changing a tire are the same whether you are driving a car, van, truck, or SUV. It’s easy and simple to do, no biggie!
If you follow the 9 steps I have enumerated below, you are sure to once again be your families hero should you face this challenge.
FIND A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER
Immediately you experience the wobbly feel of your vehicle or in some cases an explosion of the tire (burst), do not panic…if you do snap out of it asap and grab the steering wheels with both hands for firm control.
Slow down and pull over to the side of the road, the ground should be solid and level to keep your car from tipping forward or backward. If you are on the side of the road, look for a safe place to park, far from the roadside as possible.
Avoid parking near any bends or t-junctions on the road, as this reduces visibility for both you and other drivers. If it happens to be dark or in an unsafe area, carefully drive to a better and safer spot.
The ground should be levelled as well and use a wedge (moderately sized stones can suffice) on the unaffected tires of your car to keep it from rolling.
USE YOUR HAZARD LIGHTS AND PARKING BRAKE
Use your hazard lights to increase your visibility and notify other commuters of your stationary presence. You can also use your hand brake to further decrease the vehicle’s ability to roll. However, the use of a wedge on tires gives more guarantees because in some cases the hand brake may not be working.
FETCH YOUR TOOLS
At least, three major tools are needed to change your tires effectively they are: jack, wrench, and a spare tire (inflated and gauged). You should always have these three items in your vehicle permanently regardless of a flat tire or not.
Other items that can make tire changing a little easier are gloves, torch, mat, napkin or carton for kneeling, tire gauge, mobile car pump/inflator.
LOOSEN THE BOLTS/NUTS
If your vehicle has a wheel cover (also known as a hubcap), pry it off. Then, secure the wrench onto a bolt/ nut, and turn it counterclockwise to loosen it. Repeat this process with each bolts/ nut, making sure each one is loose enough to turn by hand but do not remove or loosen completely.
LIFT YOUR VEHICLE OFF THE GROUND
Do not place the jack where it will have contact with any plastic region of your vehicle…to be sure you may touch and hit the intended area. Place the jack under the metal portion of your vehicle’s frame.
This placement regions differs depending on the vehicle, so you will have to do a quick calculation on where its best for yours (no brainer). Once properly placed, use the jack to raise the tire you are changing off of the ground. Ensure the jack stays balanced to the ground at all times, don’t let it tilt.
Once it is properly placed, use the jack to raise the tire needed to be changed off the ground. Let the jack always be at right angle to the levelled ground, then you can begin to pump or wind the jack as required till the affected tire lift off the ground. You can take a clue from the picture below.
REMOVE THE BOLTS/ NUTS AND THE TIRE
Turn the bolts/ nuts counterclockwise until they are all very loose. Then remove them completely this time, please keep the bolts/ nuts safe as it would be needed when securing the replacement tire. Then you can now remove tire from the car wheel area by pulling it towards you or outwards.
KEEP THE SPARE TIRE CLOSE BY
Carefully line up the holes in the spare and place the spare on the wheelbase. Push the spare as far onto the wheelbase as possible and secure a balance.
REPLACE THE BOLTS/ NUTS
Put the bolts/ nuts on so that the tire stays on the wheelbase. Don’t tighten fully for now, make sure the tire is evenly balanced. You can tighten the nuts loosely just to secure the balance. It’s very important to tighten your bolts/ nuts in a way that keeps the tire even, so that the care won’t be wobbly or the tire wears out the threading on screws and eventually pulls off on motion.
LOWER YOUR VEHICLE AND BEGIN TIGHTENING
Using the jack, slowly lower your vehicle until your spare tire starts touching the ground. This holds the tire in place as you begin tightening the bolts/ nuts. Tighten the bolt/nuts in increments, alternating every-other nut. For example, if you assign a number to each bolts/ nut, tighten in this order: 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, 1, 3, 5, 2, 4, and repeat. This way you’ll keep the tire straight and balanced.
Once the bolts/ nuts feel equally tight, completely lower your vehicle to the ground. Once grounded, you may be able to tighten the bolts/ nuts a little bit further making it firm. Continue your tightening in the same incremental order until they can tighten no further.
…and that is how the cookie crumbles, congratulations you have successfully fix your car flat tire.
EXTRA TIPS FOR HOW TO FIX A TIRE
If you followed those 9 steps stated above, you are all set. Next up is putting the faulty tire in the trunk and packing up any tools used. Depending on what’s wrong with it, your old tire might be salvageable. Bring it to a trusted vulcaniser who can check it out and possibly repair it. Otherwise, you may need to invest in a new spare tire.
NB: Always have a spare tire in your car, if you used your spare try to fix the faulty one and replace immediately. It is never a good idea to operate a vehicle without a spare tire; make sure to pre-check your spare tire and parts from time to time to make sure it is ready to use in case of an emergency.
Drive safe and be prepared, till next time. Cheers!
The Nursing Father.
Read More
9 items you must have in car to avoid FRSC trouble – Naijauto
12 Major documents/items FRSC when they stop your car – Legit.ng
