Car trouble is like lightning -- you never know when or where it is going to strike.

Prevent Unexpected| Testing Run-Flat Tires

But just because you belong to AAA, there is no guarantee that help is on the way; because you could break down and your cell phone could either be dead or in an area where there is no service.

There are several basic auto self-repair skills that every motorist should possess. While everyone can’t be an automotive expert, every motorist should know how to change a tire or jump start a car in case you break down in the Mojave desert or in the middle of a blizzard.

How To Jump-Start A Car

A good set of jumper cables can be purchased for the around $30 to $50 and placed in your trunk. The first time you need them they will pay for themselves, as most service stations will charge at least $50 for a jump-start service call.

Almost everyone at some point will leave their lights on or suffer a failing battery, so having a set of jumper cables on hand is always a good idea. Plus, you’ll be able to help out others in need.

If you have them, it is always a good idea to use gloves and safety goggles when handling a battery.

There are a number of reasons you should not attempt to jump-start a battery. If it is frozen, do not attempt to jump it. Check the removable vent caps if your battery has them to see if the liquid is frozen. Do not attempt a jump if there are cracks in the casing.

Turn both automobiles off. Attach the positive (red) cable to the dead battery, then the positive cable to the charged battery. Then attach the negative (black) cable to the charged battery. Finally, attach the other negative cable to the engine block of the dead car on a metallic surface.

Start the car with the charged battery, and wait a minute before attempting to start the dead car. If it doesn’t start, let the battery charge for up to five minutes. If it doesn’t start after five minutes of charging, it most likely will not start.

Remove the cables in the reverse order they were attached.

How To Push-Start A Car

Sometimes, a car with a manual transmission can be push-started by popping the clutch.

First, make sure the problem is the battery or the starter by attempting to turn the car on. If the engine turns over, the problem is not the starter or battery.

If you have more than one person present, plan on one pushing the car and another person sitting behind the wheel. If you are alone, you will need a hill in order to get the car going fast enough.

If someone else is pushing, push in the clutch and hold it while turning the key to the “on” position. Put the transmission into first or second gear and release the brake. The person pushing will have to get the car going as fast as possible. Ideally, you have stalled near a hill.

Once rolling, release the clutch pedal while simultaneously pressing on the gas pedal a little bit. If the problem has been the battery or starter, it should start. Make sure you are either home or at a service station before you turn the car off because it may not start up again.

How To Change A Tire

Everyone who drives a car should know how to change a tire, because many drivers will likely blow a flat at some point during their driving career.

Park the car on a level service, and put it in the “park” position if it is an automatic and “reverse” if it is a stick shift. Pull on the parking brake.

You must first locate the jack and spare tire that come with your car. Sometimes they are located in the trunk, and sometimes they are attached under the car. For the location and proper removal of the spare tire and jack, consult your owner’s manual.

If you have a wheel block with you, place it diagonally opposite the wheel you are changing. If you have more than one block, place them under as many tires as possible.

If your tires have covers or hub caps, use the pry bar that comes with the jack to remove them. Some cars come with a wheel lock, which may be located in your glove box. Place the wheel lock in the lug wrench and turn counterclockwise. Once removed, take out the lock key and use the lug wrench to loosen all the lug nuts.

Tough, rusted lug nuts may require you to kick or jump on the lug wrench.

Now, jack the car up. Every car is different, so the owner’s manual should indicate the proper place to position the jack, as well as instructions on how to operate the jack.

Raise the vehicle until the tire is several inches off the ground. Using the lug wrench, remove the loosened lug nuts.

Place the replacement wheel onto the studs and tighten the lug nuts by hand. Then lower the vehicle until the tire is touching the ground, but do not remove the jack. Using the lug wrench, tighten the lugs as tight as possible. Do not tighten them in circular order, but in a crisscross pattern if there are four or six lug nuts and a star pattern if there are five.

Lower the vehicle, remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts one more time. But make sure to get the lug nuts torqued at a service station as soon as possible.

Place the replacement wheel onto the studs and tighten the lug nuts by hand. The lower the vehicle until the tire is touching the ground, but do not remove the jack. Using the lug wrench, tighten the lugs as tight as possible. Do not tighten them in circular order, but by tightening in a crisscross pattern if there are four or six lug nuts or a star pattern if there are five.

Lower the vehicle, remove the jack and tighten the lug nuts one more time. But make sure to get the lug nuts torqued at a service station as soon as possible.