May 2008
Every trunk should contain these supplies in case of a flat
Getting a flat is never fun, but knowing what to do and making sure you have the right equipment can help make things go as
smoothly as possible.
Changing a tire is something everyone should know how to do. Get out the owner’s manual and try changing a tire in your own driveway or some other safe, level place. That way you’ll not only gain confidence you can do the job, but you’ll also make sure that you know where your jack and spare are located and that everything works properly. When checking tire pressures, which we recommend you do monthly, don’t forget to check the pressure of the spare tire.
It’s a good idea to carry a cell phone in case of roadside emergencies, but if you need to change a flat, you’ll want to keep these items in your trunk:
Changing a tire is something everyone should know how to do. Get out the owner’s manual and try changing a tire in your own driveway or some other safe, level place. That way you’ll not only gain confidence you can do the job, but you’ll also make sure that you know where your jack and spare are located and that everything works properly. When checking tire pressures, which we recommend you do monthly, don’t forget to check the pressure of the spare tire.
It’s a good idea to carry a cell phone in case of roadside emergencies, but if you need to change a flat, you’ll want to keep these items in your trunk:
- Pair of work gloves
- Flares or reflectors
- Blanket or rug to kneel on (or use floor mats)
- Tire-pressure gauge
- 12-volt air compressor
- Pipe to connect to your tire wrench for leverage
- Plank to support the jack on soft ground
- Flashlight
- Rags and hand cleaner for cleanup
- Small container to hold lug nuts
