Changing a Flat "Foot Trick"

Have you ever been stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire? Found it impossible to loosen the lug nuts?  My brother actually had a flat tire a few weeks ago at my house.  I saw him trying to loosen the lug nuts by hand!  I started chuckling, and contemplated whether I should let him in on a little trick.

Well I'll let you know a good trick and old mechanic showed me.  Instead of using your arms, which I'm sure you know is difficult, use your Leg strength to loosen the lug nuts.  It's something that's simple, but not something you would have though of unless someone showed you how to do it.  Consider lug nuts have about 80-120 foot-pounds of torque on them.  Unless you have Herculean strength in your arms, I'm sure you've never felt like you can get those lug nuts loose.  The "Foot Trick" will help loosen them quickly, easily, and with minimal effort,  After all your Legs are strong. 

To do this remember to go in the correct direction.  (Rightie-Tightie, Leftie-Loosie!)  Set you lug wrench as firmly and deeply onto the lug nut as you can.  Carefully, quickly, and with force apply a good amount of pressure with the heel of your foot.  It will be more effective, than using the toe or ball of your foot.  (If you are wearing high-heels, maybe you should use your ball of your foot!)  You should really only needed to loosen them a little bit.  I'd suggest stomping hard 1 or 2 times, until you hear a loud crack or squeak noise.  That means you've loosened them enough, and from there you should be able to twist off the lug nut by hand.  This is also a good technique to use when tightening your spare tire. 

This "Foot Trick" will save you lots of time and effort when changing a flat.  You also won't have to wait for an auto service to come help you.  Besides, it will feel great changing a flat tire yourself!

Valve Caps

Have you ever noticed that those "Little black things on your Tires" are missing?  Those are called Valve Caps.  Don't they just magically seem to disappear?   I bet you've noticed your missing 1 or 2.  You keep driving around without replacing them, right?  You most likely don't think it's a problem, and is a small issue.

Although small, valve caps help protect the valve stems from debris and dirt.  If you don't have valve caps on some tires, you'll most likely notice those tires lose a little more air.  Usually all the debris and dirt hit the needle, gradually releasing air.  So it's good to get them replaced if you are missing some.

Valve caps are available at all auto parts stores.  They are the same size on all tires, and are good to have handy.  Usually they are $1 for a pack of 4.  Sometimes I've seen them for $2-3, but I would check at another store.  You could always poach some from someones else's tires!  Of course I can't condone that!  That's probably why I'm missing valve caps!