DIY roadside repairs
Sometimes breakdowns can be repaired easily if you know how to do basic maintenance and repairs and have the right tools in your car.
How to recharge a Flat Battery
If your engine turns over, chances are your battery may not be completely flat.
- Disconnect all lighter powered accessories i.e. cell phone chargers
- Switch off car lights, windscreen wipers, heater and sound system
- Leave car standing for about 20 minutes
If your car still does not start, use a battery charger if you have one that doesn't require a power source. Charge the battery for 20 minutes, disconnect the charger and try to start your engine. If that does not work, try jump-starting your car using jumper leads.
How to change a tyre
You will need:
- Flathead screwdriver
- Socket spanner
- Car jack
- Car jack handle
- Warning triangle
- High visibility jacket
- A torch
- Gloves
- Pull up your handbrake, turn off the engine and switch your hazard lights on.
- Remove the spare tyre, jack and spare wheel wrench from your car. Before jacking up your car, loosen the wheel nuts a little.
- Raise the car with the jack. Check in your car owner's manual where to place the jack before you raise the car.
- Remove the wheel nuts from the tyres and put them somewhere safe.
- Remove the flat / damaged tyre.
- Put the spare tyre onto the bolts with the air valve facing you.
- Tighten the bolts until they are finger tight.
- Slowly lower the jack and let the wheel touch the road.
- Secure all of the tyre nuts tightly.
You do not want to be driving on the road without a spare so get your spare tyre fixed as soon as possible. You should also get your wheel alignment checked by a mechanic if you have being driving with a spare wheel. If your wheels are out of alignment your steering wheel will pull or drift away from a straight line. This causes your tyres to wear out faster.
