Mininmize Your Risk: Tire Changing Tips For the Freeway
Jul 14 '00
CHANGING A TIRE ON THE HIGHWAY CAN EASILY GET YOU KILLED!!! There. I had to yell that because it is a very important point that one doesn't ponder until one is placed in the situation. Changing a tire on the highway is highly dangerous, but you can reduce the risk some by taking a few easy steps.
-ASSES THE SITUATION-
Can you actually change your tire here? If you are on a freeway with no shoulder you may get yourself killed just by opening the door, so changing a tire is obviously out of the question. Call a tow truck if you have a cell phone. If you don't have a phone, try to flag another motorist down. Changing a tire is not worth your life, so don't take a foolish risk.
If there is a shoulder, make sure you will have room to change the tire. When you need to change a flat, the best way to reduce the risk of injury is to get as far off of the road as possible, especially if you are changing a tire on the side facing the road. Turn the car, if possible, to have the front end pointing at an angle facing toward the shoulder to shield yourself a bit, like state troopers do on traffic stops.
-MAKE YOU AND YOUR CAR VISIBLE-
First thing you must do after getting your car in position is to make it as visible as possible. Turn on your hazard lights. Place road flares out behind the car in such a manner that traffic is directed around your car. Some upright flashlights have red and yellow flashing lights. Put one of them behind the car as well.
Keep a bright orange colored vest in your car, like the ones that construction workers use while working on the side of the highway. It can only help you be more visible, especially if it is nighttime and you have dark clothing on. It may look stupid, but you are changing a tire, so don't waste your time worrying about how it looks on you.
-DRIVE SLOW WITH YOUR SPARE-
Unless you have a full size spare, you are probably stuck with a dinky little tire that is super skinny and lacking the amount of tread that a regular tire has. Drive slowly! Most spares are not to be driven faster than 30-35 mph. They are built so that you can get to the service station or tire dealer to have the flat fixed. I see many people actually driving around with these tires for days on end. It just isn't built for that kind of use. If you are on the freeway, when your tire goes, drive in the right lane with your hazard lights on the nearest exit when driving with your flat. Have both hands on the wheels, because it may pull to one side.
-BE PREPARED-
All of these tips are nothing if you don't have the proper equipment. Try changing your tire before you have to do it on the highway. A dress rehearsal will have you feeling more confident about changing it in a real emergency. Have all of the necessary equipment in your car, and make sure you can get to it in a hurry. Have a flashlight so you can see what the heck you are doing when you are changing the tire and when you are getting the things you need out of the car. Try your hazard lights out at home. Sometimes the lights can be a pain to work, especially in some GM models.
It is important to be confident, but at the same time cautious. Don't ever assume that people will see you if you are changing your tire on the side of the road. It is just the same as driving, be defensive and watch your back. You never know when someone will be driving along in a less than attentive manner. That person could just turn you into a statistic.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
roadtripper
|
|
Member: Jon
Location: Seattle, WA
Reviews written: 17
Trusted by: 10 members
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.