Be Prepared for a Flat Tire

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May 30, 2005 - Be Prepared for Roadside Emergencies

Are you ready for a flat tire? If your car dies on the freeway do you have a plan? We got a rude reminder Saturday night that you must always be ready when you're on the road. A few of our team members were driving from Miami up to Palm Beach and blew a tire on the turnpike. They needed a flash light, a good spare and a taller jack.

Most roadside emergencies can be avoided with some basic car maintenance. Check your tire pressure once a month and make adjustments as necessary. If your tires are looking worn get them checked out. Radial tires have a nasty habit of falling apart when they get worn. The flat tire we changed had metal sticking through the sidewall. That leads us to another need a good pair of gloves. Next, check your spare tire.

Spare Tires

Many cars today have the tiny donut spare tire. These spares are not designed for full speed or long distance driving. Larger vehicles typically have a full sized spare that can be driven on at full speed and for long distances. It's critical that you check your spare tire and make sure that it is fully inflated to the proper tire pressure. Stop at a gas station once a month and check the pressure in all your tires including your spare. And make sure you have your jack and tire iron.

A good pair of work gloves will save you a ton of grease on your hands and some nasty cuts. When you get a flat you may end up on uneven ground. In this situation your jack may not be tall enough to get the new tire on. Having two short pieces (8-inches long) of 2 x 6 can really save you in this case. You stack the wood on the ground and put the jack on top of it. You should also have a good flashlight and a poncho.

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