Now ladies, down with the hem, cross the legs and out with the jack
Last week we dealt with the tyre inflator, as an alternative to not having to manually change a flat tyre. But there are some women, regular Girl Fridays, who like to be in charge of their circumstances.
The jack is the device that aids in changing a tyre. Having the right jack is essential. There are two types: the scissors and the hydraulic. The hydraulic jack, which, while bulkier and more difficult for a woman to lift, is perhaps the easier to use of the two, requiring less physical effort because of the presence of the oil that is built into it. It is used mainly for trucks and vans and some heavier Sport Utility Vehicles. The scissors jack however, is mainly for smaller, compact cars. It has the advantage of being easier to lift by women, although it is generally thought to be more difficult to use as it requires more physical effort because of the winding that it entails.
For the purposes of this feature we will examine the scissors jack and its proper usage. For women who want to be able to change a flat themselves, or who don’t have a tyre inflator, we spoke to Andrew Chin, senior sales representative at Daytona Sales Company, who gave us a few tips:
“Firstly,” Mr Chin says, “Remember to check the spare tyre on a regular basis to make sure it has enough air.” It’s a good idea to do this when visiting the service station to put air in your tyres. There’s no point in having a spare tyre that’s also flat.
Also, it’s important to note here, Mr Chin says, that women should find out how much air pressure their tyres take. Too little air in tyres (under-inflation) can cause the vehicle to be thrown out of alignment, lead to tyre stress, irregular wear and loss of control. On the other hand, too much air (over-inflation) will cause a hard ride and there is the danger of an accident happening from a blowout occurring as the tyre is being put under too much pressure. In either case, incorrect air pressure presents driving hazards. Generally speaking, 13″ tyres will take between 28-30 lbs of air, while larger tyres will take more. Remember, a tyre can lose up to half of its air pressure without seeming to be flat.
Next, pull over as far off the thoroughway as is possible and switch off engine. (It’s a good idea to always travel with a flashlight.) Put the car in gear if it’s a stickshift or Park if it’s automatic transmission. If possible, find a stone to ‘cotch’ the wheel to further ensure the car does not roll.
Loosen lug nuts with a lug tool, another item that should be stored in the trunk along with the jack and the spare. It’s important to remember not to take lug nuts off completely at this point, Mr chin advises. Complete removal at this point can cause wheel to drop off.
Place jack at a convenient spot that will best accommodate the removal of the tire and wind up. There are two classic types of scissors jack–the slotted top or the flat top. Mr Chin recommends the slotted type, which is easily fitted under the inseam of the car’s running board. The flat jack is more difficult to negotiate, he explains, and can cause damage to flooring of the car if not properly installed.
When the wheel is lifted in the air, remove the lug nuts and then the tyre. Replace with spare and readjust lug nuts.
Wind down and when the wheel is back on the ground, remove jack and tighten lug nuts to ensure wheel is secure.
A jack in the trunk is very important, Mr Chin advises. And at a price somewhere in the neighbourhood of $650 for a standard 1 1/2 – 2 ton jack, it is not too much of a high price to pay for your peace of mind and safety out on the mean streets.
So, ladies, don’t panic at the development of a puncture–if you are equipped with the knowledge of how to properly change a tyre, and remember knowledge, as they say, is power — the process will be relatively pain-free.
