FLAT TIRES, DEAD BATTERIES, BE PREPARED
The importance of regular maintenance for your vehicle has been discussed during the previous two
issues of TownLoafer Magazine. Now, let’s go over the importance of being prepared while you are out
driving around in your vehicle. There are a number of things that can go wrong with your car and it will
usually be at the most inconvenient time. Being prepared to handle these adversities will save you time,
money, frustration, and more.
Let’s say you go to the gym early in the morning. It was dark when you left home and the headlights on
your car needed to be on. After you arrived, it was daylight and because of all the thoughts running
through your mind, you forgot to turn the lights off. After a great workout and a new attitude to face the
day with, you go hop in your car. When you hit the key, nothing happens. It is then that you realize you
left your lights on. What now, you ask simultaneously exclaiming your; "I shouldn’t say that," personal
expletive.
Since you are not prepared for this situation, you are going to have to: 1) Come up with a number to call
for someone to come jump-start your car. 2) Wait for at least an hour. 3) Miss an important meeting or
have to call someone else to take care of something you were supposed to do. And then, 4) just as you
convince yourself things could be worse, it starts to rain or someone pulls up beside you making you feel
very uncomfortable.
Had you known how to jumpstart a vehicle and had a reliable pair of cables in your trunk, you would have
been on your way in just a few minutes. It is really quite simple to learn how to safely and successfully
boost your car.
Now let’s say you have a flat tire. Do you know how to change it and are you capable of doing so? Does
your spare tire have the proper amount of air in it? A flat spare is just as worthless as the one on your car.
Do your wheels require a special lug nut socket to remove them and, if so, do you know where it is?
Whoever changes the tire is going need it. If you don’t have it, be prepared to spend lots of money.
No, not everyone can or wants to perform this ballet of roadway madness when they have a flat. If you
know you cannot or you don’t want to change it, have a plan. Roadside assistance will be required. There
are all kinds of plans available that can help you out. Research them and have some help when you need
it.
Do you have a spare key that works? Do you need separate keys for the door locks and ignition? That
may sound funny but there are differences between valet keys and coded keys. Valets will unlock the car
but they will not start the car because the microprocessor that enables the vehicle does not recognize it.
Keep a valet key hidden on the vehicle, in your purse or wallet and leave a coded key in the glove box.
That way, if you lock the keys in your car, you can still get in without having to go through the steps
described previously.
Try to keep at least a quarter of a tank of fuel in your vehicle at all times. You never know what is around
the corner. You may get an important phone call that requires you to go immediately. The last things you
are going to want to do are stop and get gas so you can get where you need to be.
We have covered flat tires, dead batteries and locked-up keys in this issue. We have gone over engine
lights and what they can indicate in previous issues. It would be virtually impossible to be prepared for
every situation that could occur. But, with a little planning, you will be in much better shape to face what
comes your way. Be sure your cell phone is charged or has a charging adapter in the vehicle. In addition,
you may want to consider having an appropriate form of self-protection you feel most comfortable with
and being able to use it effectively and legally.
What you need to keep in perspective is your safety and the relevance of your car. Let’s say you’re on I75 headed for Florida listening to Jimmy Buffett on your 8-track player. All of a sudden your tire starts
going down or your red engine light comes on. What do you do? You look around and see where the
safest place to be is and get there. If you destroy a tire and wheel getting there, so be it, they can be
replaced. Your life and those who may be with you are worth much more. It’s at this point that all your
planning will come into play and make the best of a bad situation.