subject: Breaking down- It needn't be a nightmare… [print this page] Breaking down- It needn't be a nightmare Breaking down- It needn't be a nightmare
Whilst driving, one of the most irritating things that can happen is to break down from a puncture. The first step is not to panic and secondlyyou will need to reduce your speed to 5mph and pull into a safe place away from other traffic, preferably lit. Although it is easy to get carried away and try and fix things yourself, do not attempt to change the tyre on any busy road such as the hard shoulder. If you are in a dangerous situation, best bet is to call your car breakdown company such as the RAC and they will do the hard work for you.
Should you be on level ground and in a relatively safespot away from any traffic, here are a few tips to help you change the tyre. Just follow these simple instructions;
Once parked up on level, safe ground ensure that the handbrake is securely on and operate the hazard lights.
Before you add the new tyre, ensure thatthe spare is inflated suitablyand make sure you have a car jack. You do not want to take the tyre off and find no jack!, Also make sure you have the locking wheel nut (needed for some vehicles) and a wheel brace. You should find most of these in the boot of the car.
Whilst the car is still securely on the ground, you can remove the hubcap hiding the wheel nuts and operate the wheel brace to loosen the nut holding the wheel in place by turning it in an anti-clockwise direction, for half a turn. Some wheelnuts need all of your body weight to loosen them so be aware of your body positioning.
Loosen the wheel nuts by half a turn each and it is best to work on opposite ones so the left over support is even.
The car jack will now be able to raise the car steadily until the weight of the wheel is high enough off the ground to remove the tyre.
Remove all of the wheelnuts and place them somewhere safe. This will mean the wheel can be removedfreely.
To add the new spare wheel, lift onto the wheel studs with the air valve now facing outwards.
Replace the wheelnuts, ensuring they are tight, in the same way as you loosened them.
You can now lower the jack and remove it and tighten the nuts astight as you can. Even stand on the wheel brace to make it as tight as possible, but this time in a clockwise direction.
Replace the hubcap and you're free to go.
Turns out changing a tyre on your Suzuki in Newcastle doesn't always have to be a nightmare! This kind of activity is a skill however and I wouldn't recommend doing this on your own if you are a little unsure.If someone else is with you though, this could be a great learning curve and it is always a fantastic skill to know should ever you get a puncture, you can cope.
