by James Richardson

Created on: December 24, 2009   Last Updated: December 29, 2009

Operating a car is a privilege, and while it may sound cliche, with privilege comes responsibility.  Every car owner/driver should know the basics of how to handle common roadside emergencies.  Not only can this reduce panic-induced crisis maneuvers, but it makes the roadways safer for yourself and fellow motorists. 

TIRE BLOWOUT

Run over a nail that some unscrupulous being dropped in the road, or have your tire shred up unexpectedly and you’ll experience a blowout.  This can be especially unnerving as the vehicle will, according to experts at The Tire Rack, pull hard to the side where the blowout has occurred and handling will be severely compromised. 

Avoid the initial knee-jerk reaction to stomp the brake, and follow these instructions instead:

*  Maintain speed and scan the roadside for a safe place to pull off.
*  With two hands on the wheel, counter the vehicle’s pulling motions and keep it straight.  Avoid sudden jerks of the steering wheel.
*  When you’ve spotted a safe pull off, signal and maneuver the vehicle out of travel lanes while braking firmly. 
*  Activate your four-way flashers to alert other motorists of your distress and then read on:

DEALING WITH A FLAT

It is imperative that you’re prepared for a flat tire long before it occurs.  First of all, you need the correct owner’s manual to your car.  It’s amazing how many of these disappear when a car is sold.  If yours has gone MIA, contact your dealer for a new copy, or search internet listings, such as eBay.  The manual will provide you the specifics for changing a flat on your make/model vehicle. 

With the owner’s manual in hand, it’s important to take inventory on the spare tire and tool kit.  Verify that the jack, lug nut wrench, and other tools are in tact, operational, and in their correct stowage location.  Just like owner’s manuals, these items have a way of disappearing on used cars, and just like the manual, the cost of replacement is a necessary expense.

Also inspect the spare tire for signs of damage, and especially for under inflation.  Add a reliable tire pressure gauge to your tool repertoire as it allows you to quickly check inflation pressure.  Vehicle-specific inflation numbers are usually stamped on the driver’s door jamb and included with the tire’s literature.  

Knowledge is the first weapon in dealing

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