Surjit Singh Flora
Is it essential for all new drivers to learn how to change a flat tire?
Why not indeed? It is an essential aspect of driving. Discover how to change a tire, check the oil, and fill the windscreen washer reservoir…essential skills like these.
I saw a driving instructor showing a student how to change a flat tire on a street in Brampton. This question popped into my mind. Is this included in the syllabus, or was the teacher particularly diligent? When I started my driving lessons in 1992, they never taught me how to change a flat tire.
If not the instructor, the father might need to teach their children how to change a tire, oil, spark plugs, and perform basic maintenance on a vehicle long before they reach driving age.
Changing a tire represents an opportunity for self-sufficiency rather than merely a task imposed on an individual. No parent desires to see their young children stranded on the side of the road, reliant on a phone call or the goodwill of strangers, when they are fully capable of addressing the situation themselves.
It is not necessary to be a rocket scientist in order to change a tire, and since I spent my childhood seeing other people doing it, the process soon became a piece of cake for me. Tire replacement will be beyond the capabilities of the vast majority of the younger generation.
Also, tires that are worn unevenly can lead to significant damage to the vehicle. Driving a vehicle with worn-out tires poses a significant safety hazard and increases the likelihood of accidents. A legal limit exists for tire tread depth, below which driving is prohibited without replacement. Take a look at this.
Some preventative measures you can take include maintaining the correct tire pressure and rotating the tires every six months. This will ensure your tires remain in good condition and will extend their lifespan as intended by the manufacturer.
Low mileage does not guarantee that tires will have a long lifespan. No. Tires can deteriorate when left in a lot for extended periods. Inspect the tread at least once every three months to ensure it wears evenly and does not become bald.
The quality of the ride is closely linked to the state of the tires.
Absolutely! Hats off to that instructor! That information would benefit both new candidates and current drivers who need insight into what others might not know.
All licensed drivers should undoubtedly possess the necessary knowledge to change a tire. This includes understanding essential safety measures prior to beginning the task, such as selecting a safe location away from traffic, ensuring the ground is level, fully engaging the handbrake, putting the car in gear, using wheel chocks when necessary, and positioning warning signs. They should be familiar with the operation of the jack, wheel brace, spare tire, and warning triangles, as well as how to properly store and retrieve these items. It is crucial to have knowledge of jacking points, ensure a solid base and upright jack, loosen the wheel nuts slightly before raising the vehicle, and verify stability while changing the tire. Drivers must also know the correct order for removing the nuts, how to store them securely, and where to place the damaged tire for safety. Checking the inner hub of the spare tire for cleanliness, employing techniques to lift the heavy spare, and fitting the nuts correctly (to prevent cross-threading) using fingers are all important steps. The proper sequence and amount of tightening with a wrench before lowering the vehicle, as well as final tightening checks for torque, are also vital. The final steps before gathering the warning sign are to visually inspect the spare tire’s pressure, pack up the tools, and handle the flat tire.
Learning how to change a tire during a driving lesson could be beneficial for several reasons.
Practical Skills: Changing a tire is a basic car maintenance skill that helps drivers manage emergencies efficiently. It fosters independence and assurance while driving.
Safety Awareness: Teaching this skill enhances awareness of vehicle safety and the need for preparedness during breakdowns. It prompts drivers to routinely check their vehicle’s condition.
Concentrate on Driving Abilities: A driving lesson mainly assesses driving skills. Some argue that practical maintenance skills, though important, should be part of the driving lessons scope.
Alternative Education: Drivers can learn tire-changing skills through various programs or resources, like driving schools or online tutorials. Including tire-changing in driving lessons could boost practical knowledge and safety.
Changing a tire on a car usually takes 30 minutes to an hour, depending on a few factors:
Experience Level: An experienced individual may finish the task in 15-30 minutes, whereas a beginner could take longer. Also depends on tools available. The right tools (jack, lug wrench, and spare tire) can make the process quicker. Rusted or stuck lug nuts may require extra time for removal.
Also, it’s very impotent changing a tire in a safe, flat area is faster than on the roadside or in hazardous weather. It’s wise to give yourself extra time if you’re not familiar with the process. If you know what you’re doing, it’s easy. Ideally, teach and test principles verbally.
Owning and driving a car involves more than just starting it, shifting gears, moving, steering, accelerating, decelerating, and stopping. Just as anyone licensed to carry a gun must comprehend more than just loading, aiming, and pulling the trigger, so too does driving a vehicle. Vehicles, guns, and their users need licenses for a reason.
Motor vehicles, similar to guns, can be deadly weapons. “Licensed” should signify thorough teaching and testing. It pertains to the handling, upkeep, storage, and secure operation. Not every driver needs to be a mechanic. Every motorist should know how to recognize when something is wrong and have an idea of how to fix it. They should also know when to call a mechanic.
Having a flat tire while driving may result in a number of major problems, including the following:
When you continue to drive on a flat tire, you run the risk of causing permanent damage to the tire, which will render it hard to fix.
Wheel damage may occur when the weight of the vehicle presses directly on the wheel rim, without the cushioning effect of the tire. This can cause the wheel rim to get damaged.
A flat tire may have a substantial impact on the vehicle’s handling, which can result in a loss of control over the vehicle. This, in turn, contributes to an increased likelihood of being involved in an accident.
It is possible for a flat tire to increase the distance that must be travelled in order to bring the vehicle to a halt, which may make the situation more hazardous in the event of an emergency.
In the event that the tire is damaged or only partly inflated, there is a possibility that it could blow out while the vehicle is being driven. This can result in an abrupt loss of control of the vehicle.
Risks to Safety Driving on a flat tire may be dangerous not just for the driver but also for other people who are using the road.
If you have reason to believe that your tire is flat, it is recommended to pull over in a safe location and examine the tire. If necessary, you should replace or repair the tire before continuing to drive.
(The author is a veteran journalist and freelance writer based in Brampton)