Let’s be real here: changing a tire is intimidating. Of course, it is a “practical life skill”. Yes, you can find 100’s of YouTube videos by breaking it down. Still, unless you know, how really knowing all the tools you need and all the steps you will take, fixing a floor is… a lot. Especially if you’re not someone who feels particularly confident, strong enough to carry tires or encouraged to ask questions about cars.
“The hardest part of the job is getting [spare] get tired of the trunk, because there’s not a lot of tricks you can use,” said Bogi, an auto technician and owner of Girl Gang Garage in Phoenix, Arizona, who teaches auto tech courses to groups of women and not people binary people According to Bogi, who goes by his first name, the spare tire can be heavy and in an awkward position to try to get out on your own.
“For almost the rest of the job, you can use tricks to use leg strength and body strength instead of trying to rely on arm strength.”
Bogi is passionate about getting drivers to understand their cars. She recommends familiarizing yourself with the car’s manual, as well as the tire changing tools that may come with the vehicle, such as a spare wheel, a jack and some type of wrench. Once you have all the tools, Bogi recommends practicing changing a tire in a driveway or parking lot.
“It’s recommended that people like to take the tire off and put it back on the driveway when there’s nothing wrong with it,” he said. “You once proved to yourself that it really isn’t as hard as you thought it was when you do it have to do it, it is much easier and there you will have that confidence”.
Cheyenne Ruether, a master auto body technician and host of the science-based construction TV show “Backyard Ballistics,” said doing your own tire rotation is a great way to practice all the steps you need to change a tire. tire
“Practice makes perfect,” Ruether told HuffPost. “The knowledge and skill to get yourself out of a pickle will save you a lot of time, money and stress or having to return favors to friends who come to your rescue!”
And if you’re practicing on your driveway and having trouble, Robin Johnson, owner of Georgia Auto Solutions in Conyers, Georgia, suggests you take a breath and keep trying.
“If you find yourself struggling, don’t feel bad. You’re not an idiot,” Johnson said. “Pros make it look easy, but until you get that jack, you put it together and find a lift point on the vehicle. [and change the tire], it’s not easy. Don’t be discouraged if it’s a challenge for you.”
To help you on your tire changing journey, Bogi, Ruether and Johnson break down everything you need to know.
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A four-way wrench or tire iron
Bogi also noted that most cars come with some sort of basic tire changing tool, but if your car is used and doesn’t come with one, or if your tool is cheap, you should make sure of having a larger and higher quality tool. carry a wrench or tire iron with you at all times.
“The tool that’s used to break the nuts, they’ve gotten weaker and weaker over the years — they just don’t give enough leverage,” he said. “I recommend using a four-way iron or tire iron because you can use both your leg and arm strength simultaneously to break the bolts.”
A “cheat” bar.
“If you give me a lever long enough, I’ll move the world, right? It’s all about physics,” he said. “Put it horizontally on the car, so the arm is not straight, the tool is sitting horizontally on the floor, and then literally. [stand on it]. If you need to curse it out, yell at it if you have to. Use your physical body weight and strength to break the bolts.”
A reliable car socket
Johnson said to be sure to read the jack instructions (if you’re using an existing jack, check your car’s owner’s manual) and practice putting the parts together and lifting the car in a driveway or parking lot. He also urged finding the car’s jacking points (also in the manual) so you know where the jack should go to make sure you lift the car safely.
A set of rubber wheel chocks
To prevent the car from rolling or moving when in the air, experts advise using a set of rubber chocks. “You put [them] on the opposite side of the car, diagonally opposite of what you’re working on,” Bogi said. “If you’re working on a left front tire, you’re going to put it behind the right rear tire. This is to prevent the car from rolling when you have it destabilized in the air.”
Road safety reflective triangles
If you’re changing a tire at night or in bad weather, Bogi and Ruether say it’s smart to keep visibility triangles on your car. “You definitely want to set yourself up for success,” Bogi said. “[L]If you put your hood up, put on your turn signals, put on those reflective triangles. It’s a good idea to have some, just in case.”
A rug or mat for your knees
Johnson suggests keeping a towel, small rug or work mat, like this padded one, in the car to protect your knees and legs when changing a tire on the road. “If you have to go out on the ground, you don’t want to mess up your knees or hurt your knees, kneeling on the ground to try to get it up,” he said.
A set of gloves, yes, even cheap dishwasher gloves will work
“I’m not going to say you have to get mechanic gloves or a high-quality degree,” Johnson said. “The yellow gloves you use or wash the dishes, you can get them. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy. I wouldn’t spend more than $1.50 on a pair of gloves to keep in the car.”
Closed shoes and socks
Johnson and Bogi recommend keeping an extra pair of closed-toe shoes and clean socks in the car. “If you’re like me, you might wear flip flops or heels,” says Johnson. “I personally have a pair of boots in my trunk, because I’m always prepared. I never know when I have to go from being a mother and a wife to [a mechanic].”
Hand wipes
Changing a tire is a dirty job. Johnson suggests keeping some hand wipes in the car to clean up while you change the tire and after you’ve done it.
A tire pressure gauge
Obviously, accidents happen out of nowhere, but all the experts recommended keeping a tire pressure gauge in your glove compartment and making it a habit to check your tire levels monthly. That way, if a tire is going flat, hopefully you can catch it before it becomes a problem.
Pepper spray, just in case
For extra protection when you’re having car trouble, Ruether recommends carrying some pepper spray with you. “I encourage women to bring pepper spray,” she said. “Because not everyone on the roads is a good Samaritan just trying to lend a hand.”
A car kit, for emergencies
Last but not least, Johnson and Ruether recommend keeping a “car kit” in your vehicle at all times, including water, a nonperishable snack, any medications you rely on, and any other items you need in a pinch . Johnson recommends keeping a few extra hair supplies or body and face wipes so you can put them back on after your travel fix.
