Checking your tires is one of the basic safety checks that you can (and should) do prior to stepping foot in your vehicle. It only takes a few seconds to go around and check each tire quick for any malfunctions or wear and tear, and it can end up saving you a lot of headache down the line. One of the first things that I learned how to do before I was even allowed to sit down behind the wheel of my dad’s company car was how to change a flat tire. I still remember that summer where I was crouched down beside him in our driveway as he guided me through where to find the tire jack as well as instructions on how to properly prop up the car and remove each of the lug nuts from the affected wheel. It seemed relatively easy…on that car.

What drivers need to remember is that with each car, the instructions may be slightly different. Not all cars carry their spare tire in the same place, and some vehicles have an actual tire in place of a spare. For example, a Jeep carries an actual, full-sized tire on the back of the vehicle where it is easily accessible by the driver versus Ford Explorers, which carry their full size spare tires on the underside of the vehicle, making it more difficult to access (especially if you find yourself stranded with a flat on the side of a highway). Meanwhile, most four-door sedans carry their spare tire in the trunk, hidden underneath a thing piece of the trunk flooring.

Knowing how to check your tires for wear can actually save your life. Know what the tread on your tires are supposed to look like, this way you’ll be aware of when it’s time to get new tires. Also, you’ll want to be cautious about over inflating or under inflating your tires, which may contribute to you getting into an accident as it may reduce the amount of traction that your vehicle has with the road surface (especially during inclement weather). But there is yet another reason why it is good to know how to change your own tires: it save you both time and money. If you don’t know how to change a tire and don’t have much luck finding a neighbor who is willing to change it for you, you’ll have to call up someone who does know such as Triple A. However, companies like Triple A are typically busy which means that you’ll be stuck waiting and paying in the end!

Source