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Have you ever driven the highway at night and heard a "hissing" noise and then felt the steering wheel *shake*?

Then the whole car started to tremble?

Guess what?

You probable just had a blow-out, or at least you were having a flat tire--that's what happens when all the air goes out of a tire.

Do you know how to change a tire?

It's different on most cars.

And then there's that little *toy* tire somewhere in the back that you have to put on to get to where you are going (if it's not too far).

It all depends on the type of vehicle you are driving.

If it's a pickup truck, you're in luck. At least your spare will be either in the back of the truck, or, underneath the bed near the rear bumper.

That could be good, or it could not be good. It all depends on where you are and which tire went flat, the front, or the rear.

Anyway, let's assume you can get to it on a pickup.

Usually, the manufacturer has it fastened up to the bottom of the bed with a cable that has a crank or twist mechanism.

If you are in a passenger car, or van, or station wagon you will find the spare tire in the back, or in the trunk (where you store your luggage when you go visit your in-laws).

On my wife's Ford Taurus station wagon the spare is located in the back, on the left, behind a panel...the *toy* tire.

But, in the very back there is a flap you can pull up and get to the *real* tire if you have one.

Usually the jack is stored with the spare but sometimes, like hers, the jack is under the flap in the floor bed and the spare is stored in the side panel.

This brings up another situation.

Does your vehicle have *locking* wheel lug nuts?

Hers has them, and if you don't have the key (a special lug nut looking thing with a funny-looking end on it, you can't get that locking nut off.

Okay, we have the spare, the lug wrench, the jack, the locking lug nut tool.

All we have to do now is break the lug nuts loose, while the vehicle is still flat on the ground (no pun intended).

Take the lug wrench and place it onto one of the lug nuts and turn it to the *left* (I don't think there are anymore left-handed nuts around, unless you own a Chrysler product from the '60's). :-)

After you break all the nuts loose (you did use the little tool to loosen the lock nut, didn't you?) you can put the jack under the car to jack it up so the tire will roll free.

Now you can remove all the nuts and then the tire so you can put the spare on.

Where are you going to put the jack?

That depends on the vehicle.

Newer vehicles have a *rib* in the body, just under the body. That is the best place to put the jack.

Now, if you have a pickup, or an older vehicle that doesn't have that rib, you need to put the jack under the rear axle (if it's a rear flat), or under the lower control arm (where the shock is bolted to) if you have a flat on the front.

Jack the vehicle up just enough to replace the tire. The higher you go the more risk you take of the vehicle sliding off the jack.

I could have left that part out, uh?

But seriously, you do want to be very careful...several accidents have happened from a vehicle jacked up too high.

Of course the newer type jacks are more stable...you do have the scissor type jack, yes?

Get all the nuts off, remove the flat tire, put the spare onto the lugs, start all the nuts, and then run them up snug (with the wrench).

Now you can let the jack down, and put it back in the vehicle.

Go back to your tire.

Start with one of the nuts and put some, not a lot, pressure on it (turning it to the right).

Next, go across from it and tighten the next one (you want to tighten them in a criss-cross fashion, top, bottom, left, right, etc.).

After you have all of them tightened slightly, go back over them in the same (or close) manner and tighten them pretty good.

You don't have to *stand* on the jack, most vehicles only torque around 80-100 pounds per square inch. That is not a lot.

But, you don't want to over-tighten them as most places do with the 1/2 inch impact wrench.

Put everything back in the car and you can go on your way feeling self-sufficient.

You did do a good job though! :-)

Tommy Sessions has been in auto repair since 1970. He publishes Auto Repair Answers Newsletter so you can learn how to keep your vehicle looking new, running safely and efficiently, while you save money and time...also, learn how to avoid shop rip offs. Don't be at the mercy of the dealerships and auto repair shops...they will have more respect for you.
http://www.auto-repair-answers.com

# posted by sr8653 : 7:06 PM  0 comments

So you are thinking of purchasing an all terrain vehicle (ATV). You can get a four stroke engine with aggressive off road tires, all wheel drive, and carrying racks so whether you are in the lumber or oil industry, working the farm, or going on a hunting trip your ATV is capable of going the distance.

When you are in the market for purchasing tires for your all terrain vehicle (ATV), there are several factors for consideration. There are numerous brands of tires available on the market specifically designed for all terrain vehicles (ATVs). Everyone is looking for a good bargain. So whatever discount source you buy your ATV tires from, make sure they are extremely well versed in all the technical specifications of the tires they are selling. There are cheap ATV tires available all over the internet.

For ATV owners wanting something out of the ordinary many owners look to after market tires to beef up their all terrain vehicle. In a typical ATV, Discount Tires perform multiple roles, including transmission of traction to the road surface, supporting the chassis of the vehicle, and absorbing the shocks from the surface.

If you want to strike out on your own and try to find an even better deal on ATV tires you'll certainly be using a search engine to find the sites that you need. If, on the other hand, you're simply type in the market for "discount ATV tires," you'll just be looking at all the same stores that have paid to be listed in the first search results that you see. And you'll want to make sure you understand why the tires have been discounted.

If you've just gotten yourself some new Mini ATV tires, you should always mount the Mini ATV tires rims with bead seat safety humps. If you plan to spend exorbitant amounts of time in the sand, choose a sand tread for your ATV tire. Most tire stores that provide you with new tires for your ATV will be able to take your old ones off of your hands.

Again, depending on how you will use your ATV, don't overlook the possibility that you may need ATV tire chains. With a variety of options available for every vehicle, ATV tire chains are a great way to increase safety and fun when crashing through the great outdoors. One of the first things a potential ATV tire chain purchaser may want to consider is whether they want two or four link spacing.

If an ATV enthusiast who lives in Hong Kong cannot find the ATV that he/she wants for sale in Hong Kong, he/she can visit an website with ATVs for sale and order the ATV from there; the ATV will then be shipped to Hong Kong as a special order. Online business owners have the advantage of being able to offer just about any type of ATVs for sale in their website without keeping them in a warehouse.

There are plenty of ATV dealers around the country so whether you choose to buy new or used, online or through your local dealer you have plenty of options. There are many good quality cheap second-hand ATVs. Going second-hand is a good thing if you're looking for a cheap ATV. When considering the purchase of an ATV, and you are thinking of purchasing a used one, you need a competent mechanic to check it out before purchase. It's important to remember the best of mechanics isn't going to be able to always see how stressed and close to the breaking point some parts may be.

Don't forget to consider thumb grips when purchasing an ATV. Thumb grips help prevent soreness and tiredness of the thumbs for a ATV rider.

And, depending upon how you will be using your ATV don't overlook a multi-purpose tool and utility grid that is sometimes used to stack tools like shovels and axes to be used in various labor or field jobs.

When it comes time to give the ATV to a child, it is important to teach the child how to use the machine first. Youth ATVs are becoming more popular, especially in certain geographical locations. It's almost the "latest" in these areas. More and more children are engaging in ATV related activities. A kid ATV will make a great gift for the child that likes to have an adventure.

Safety! Safety! Safety! Did you know more people per year die on ATVs than get hit by trucks? Over 4,000 people a year die in ATV crashes and over 60,000 injuries are reported; things like broken bones and non-break injuries to the knees, elbows and ankles. Tragically, the majority of these deaths and injuries have happened to CHILDREN! Any and all types of safety riding gear cannot be stressed enough if you are going to purchase an ATV! Don't skimp! And don't assume you won't have an accident! Better safe than sorry is the best rule!

While purchasing safety gear and other ATV accessories, theoretically speaking, the brand is not really important, but in reality, sometimes it DOES make a difference. So, make sure that the seller of the cheap ATV has good ratings from different buyers. Don't hesitate to check them out!

Whatever you do, stay SAFE as you enjoy your new all terrain vehicle. ~ Ms.CiCi

Ms. CiCi, has a gift of teaching, is an accomplished author and world traveler who enjoys sharing her life's experiences with others, making their life, their world a bit easier. Her writings expose her wealth of "secret information" so derived from her travels as well as drawing from her own personal wealth of wisdom. A great lover of nature, a visit to her website is a true delight. http://www.CiCi-Online.Com

More valuable information can be found at: http://www.atv-online.info
Ms. CiCi, has a gift of teaching, is an accomplished author and world traveler who enjoys sharing her life's experiences with others, making their life, their world a bit easier. Her writings expose her wealth of "secret information" so derived from her travels as well as drawing from her own personal wealth of wisdom. A great lover of nature, a visit to her website is a true delight. http://www.CiCi-Online.Com

# posted by sr8653 : 3:09 PM  0 comments

A lot of people are choosing Class A motorhomes as their traveling vehicle over fifth wheel and travel trailers these days. You see them everywhere now. And to be sure, traveling in a Class A motorhome has a lot of advantages. But you should also be aware of some of the disadvantages too before deciding for yourself. Here is a brief look at the matter from both sides:

Advantages:

1. Class A RVs are very easy to drive on the open road.

2. There is just no substitute for the comforts and amenities that can be enjoyed in a Class A as opposed to smaller, less roomy motorhomes and RVs. If you want it, usually you can get it in a Class A.

3. No compatibility issues to worry about here. Whenever you tow your home behind you there is always a need to make sure that the tow vehicle and the RV are in complete synchronization with each other because if they are not working together you will be fighting the wheel the whole time you drive down the highway. With a Class A, it's an all-in-one package. Just jump in and go.

4. When you arrive at your destination, there is no need to even get out of your RV in the case of bad weather. When you tow a vehicle there is a certain amount of setup that has to be done initially and you have to transfer from the tow vehicle to the RV. With a Class A, you are already home when you arrive.

Disadvantages:

1. Price. Class A motorhomes can be very expensive and as more manufacturers keep packing in expensive features that trend will probably continue to grow. New units also take a serious depreciation hit, so bear that in mind when you buy.

2. If you want to get around town once you arrive, you probably will need to tow another vehicle behind you adding to the cost of this setup. It's just too difficult to setup and take down your Class A every time you want to run to the store. Of course, you may opt for bicycles instead, but then that limits how far you can go and can be difficult to travel far in bad weather.

3. If your motorhome breaks down, you will probably have to spend a night or two in a motel while it is at the RV repair shop. Most shops try to get you in and out on the same day, but if the repair is serious enough, or parts are hard to get, that just may not be possible. With a towed vehicle, you still have your home to stay in if the truck has to go in for work.

4. Class A RVs can be very long, especially the more expensive models, and that can narrow your choices of where you can stay as some campgrounds simply don't have the facilities to accommodate long rigs.

The disadvantages of owning a Class A motorhome that are listed above should not be taken to mean that you shouldn't own one. Just don't get so caught up in the advantages of Class A RVs, that you don't also consider the disadvantages as well. After looking at both sides you can make an educated decision about whether it will be the best choice for you.

Jim Johnson writes on many consumer related topics including motorhomes. You can find out more about class a motorhomes and motorhome sales by visiting our Motorhomes Review website.

# posted by sr8653 : 3:04 PM  0 comments