Auto Repair: Using A Jack Safely
Today, many people are content to simply take their cars in to a mechanic when in need of auto repair
. If broken down, they simply call a tow truck. Nothing wrong with that. You may count yourself among these people proudly. After all, if you have a mechanic you can trust, why bother getting dirty? Still, if you're the type of person who longs for a time when people weren't afraid to get some grease on their hands, you may eschew the thought of going to a mechanic for something as simple as a flat tire. If so, you'll need to use a jack at some point or another. Here are some tips on doing it safely.The Highway Isn't The Place
This may come as surprising advice to some, but the side of the highway (or, god forbid, the interstate) really isn't the place to change a tire. Even if you have a spare in the trunk ready to go and consider yourself a master of the quick change, you're better off calling a tow truck. You never know when a car barreling down the highway at 70mph could swerve just slightly onto the shoulder. If that happens, and you're there, the results won't be pretty. Stash your ego and call a tow truck.
Find Flat Ground
Most auto repair experts will employ car owners not to drive too far on a flat tire. When there is no cushion between the wheel and the road, you can wind up with a wheel that is forever unusable. Replacing both the wheel and the tire is going to be considerably more expensive. That said, it is no excuse for doing something dangerous. Changing a tire on a sloped surface is extremely dangerous and unwise. If you can't get to flat ground in a reasonable amount of time, call a professional.
Block the Wheels
There's a common and dreadful misconception among many car owners. It is that the jack is meant to hold the car up while you work on it. This is not, and has never been, the case. Yes, it has been done by many in the past. Nevertheless, you're taking a big chance every time you do it. If you want to be prepared to change your tire on the fly, make sure you keep some blocks in your trunk you can use to keep the car from rolling. And always use the jack stand to hold the car up. Doing otherwise puts you in serious risk. No form of auto repair is worth that.
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