A Roadside Emergency - Flats and Jumpstarts

Changing A Flat Tire 

This procedure often depends on your vehicle, equipment included, and the type of spare. lf you have a flat and have never changed a tire, refer to your owner's manual. The best idea, however, is a dry run. Learn to change a flat in your driveway during daylight hours. Also, be familiar with how to use a tire inflator product mentioned in the emergency item list.

Jump Starting A Car  

The prospect of jump starting a vehicle is intimidating to many motorists. While the process isn't difficult, done incorrectly, it can be dangerous. Following is the correct procedure: 

Position the vehicles so the batteries are as close as possible without the bumpers touching. Turn off both engines, set both parking brakes, and open the hoods. Identify the positive (marked POS or +) and negative (marked NEG or -) posts on each battery. Attach the cable with the red clamps to the positive posts of each battery. DO NOT let the metal clamps of the red and black cables touch each other. On the car with the good battery. attach the cable with the black clamps to the negative post. On the disabled car, connect the black cable to the bare metal on the car's engine or frame, as far as possible from the battery. Batteries emit explosive hydrogen gas, so you want to avoid sparks in that vicinity. Start the car with the good battery, revving the engine a little to make sure the battery is charging. Then start the car with the dead battery. (If the car still won't start, you may need a mechanic.) With both cars running, disconnect the cables in reverse order, beginning with the black cable (ground connection), then the other black cable. Drive for at least 20 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery. Have the battery and charging system checked ASAP