Changing a tire is a skill that everyone should have. Eventually, everyone finds themselves on the side of the road staring at a flat tire and to make matters worse usually wearing some very nice clothes.
Changing Tires: Recommended Supplies
Before we get started it’s a good idea to cover some basic supplies to keep in the car. As prepper’s we plan ahead so a box of the basics in the trunk should be a no brainer.
Supply List:
- Mechanics gloves
- Flashlight
- Hand towel
- Tire pressure gauge
- Jack
- Tire iron
- Spare tire
- Flathead screwdriver
- Fix-A-Flat
- Tire plug kit
Although I’m sure most of us have immense common sense let’s get some safety items out of the way. If on the side of the road make sure the vehicle is well off the road as not to expose yourself to passing traffic as the tire is being changed. A road flare or reflector is not a bad idea to alert traffic of your presence. Lastly do not get under the vehicle for any reason while the car is lifted using a regular car jack. Getting squashed like a pancake will make a bad day worse.
Let’s get to it!!!
There you have it. If you’ve never changed a tire give it a shot now before you’re on your way to the bug out location and end up having to test your abilities. That would be some seriously bad timing.
Rourke
Its amazing how many people buy a used vehicle and don’t even realize that the jack and/or lug wrench are missing until they need them. I have stopped and helped several that told me they had never even looked to see where the tools and spare were stored. Many new vehicles today, mine included, don’t even come with a spare. My van came with an air pump that also injects fix a flat liquid into a flat tire, but no spare. Instructions say to leave whatever punctured tire in place, inject liquid into tire, then pump up tire to correct pressure. If that doesn’t work, call wrecker. Had to buy my own spare tire and rim to feel safe. I couldn’t help but wonder how many people are driving around and don’t even know they don’t have a spare in their new vehicle.
I have a 1 ft square piece of plywood for “Under the jack” soft shoulders on highways ,can cause the jack NOT to jack up car or car possibly allowing it to fall easier.
Good point. I have also put a heavy rubber floor mat under the jack to help when I didn’t have a piece of wood. Also works good to get unstuck in snow, putting floor mats under drive wheels.
Keebler- good idea !! Remember also to chuc your tires with a rock or something
that you have with you if you are on a hill.
I have changed a couple of tires in my life and its a good idea to practice doing it before you need to. Lightning
PS We are expecting 3-7 more inches of snow tonight !!