Dear LPG,

It is not something that everyone wants to do for themselves but this is one especially for the ladies who still drive and are strong enough. I know that most men know all about this sort of stuff but I have to start with a story. 

I and my mum have lived together for a while now and though there are only the two of us, we continue to be a two car household.  I have to applaud her because she can still get to the shops, church, and her friends’ houses in her own little car; something that more and more older ladies (and gentleman) can manage. 

But our cars are not getting very far during these lock-down days and they are a bit like us, and our pet dogs, in as much as they need regular exercise too (►►►).  So once a week when we venture out to the shops we alternate the vehicle to be used.  It was the turn of my mum’s car this week and we got in and got started, but you can hear a flat tire if you are driving even if you don’t notice it as you get in the car.  

It’s not the first time and I know exactly how to change a tire although, the last time I tried, it took me about 45 minutes but that is still quicker than the hour it took for the road side assistance people to turn up the time before.  I have also learned that if you call them too often it can impact financially when you have to pay next year’s road side assistance premium, so I try to sort the things I can, and leave them to do the really technical breakdown stuff. 

Once you have mastered the art of putting the jack in the right place, knowing how to use the wheel lock key (►►►) and getting the tire out of the boot, which can all present a bit of a challenge, the real problem is actually getting the wheel nuts off the car because when the professionals do them up these days with those air guns, not even my standing on the wheel brace works.  I know that I am getting older myself but even though there are a few extra pounds that I have not been able to shed since Christmas, standing or even jumping on the thing would not work.

The internet’s YouTube taught me a secret or two for those who still would like to be prepared for a flat-tire do-it-yourself moment.  While a torque wrench can be complicated, having an extended wheel brace in the car boot might be the answer and they are quite cheap; cheaper than the added premium that the RAC or AA might charge if you call them out too often, and once you can drive the car to a garage you can get the nut tightness checked. 

If you can do it yourself, changing your car tire can be good exercise for us younger retired lady drivers as well as them men and, being able to do it yourself also saves a wait and encourages a sense of achievement and freedom.

A last bit of advice though; adding a small folding stool to your car boot accessories can also be a really good idea.

GP, Penge

While LPG would offer a note of caution, if you know what you are doing but just cannot get the wheel nuts loose this might be something worth knowing, we also advocate getting a self-changed tire to a professional for checking as soon as you can.

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