12 Steps For A Safe Tire Change

This is a quick run-down on what to know and steps to take when changing a flat tire. We’re sure there are more tips than this, but these are good universal tips for all of us.

1. Pull your vehicle as far over or even off the main road if possible for safety.

2. Locate the jack and tire wrench in your vehicle. If you are unsure where it is, pull out the manual and look it up. Many times it is located in the trunk somewhere.

3. Follow the instructions in your manual or on the jack to place the jack in the correct spot underneath and get it snug on the frame while not quite raising it up yet.

4. Take your wrench and start to loosen each lug nut just a little so each is started.

5. Once they are loose, go ahead and jack the vehicle up until the vehicle tire is off the ground.

6. Once off the ground, loosen all the lug nuts until they come off. Pull the flat tire straight off. If you pull at an angle the rim may catch on the bolt threads and make it difficult to pull off.

7. Roll the old tire off to behind the vehicle, and grab your spare tire. Many times the spare will look smaller than the original. That is because it is just made to be a temporary tire to get you to the tire garage and get the flat tire repaired or replaced.

8. Take your spare tire and line up the bolt holes with the rim with the bolts or holes on the hub and try to put it straight on.

9. Holding the tire on with one hand, take one of your tire bolts and start to screw it into the top hole. Once that is tight enough to hold the rim on, hand tighten the rest of the bolts on.

10. Take your wrench and firmly snug them all up using a criss cross pattern instead of going clock-wise or counter-clockwise.

11. Slowly lower the jack so the tire is now on the ground. Give each bolt a good turn to make sure they are all tight.

12. Don't forget to put the jack and wrench back in their compartments, and throw the flat in your trunk. Since most spares are temporary it is wise to head straight to the tire center and have your tire fixed or replaced as soon as possible.

Follow these steps to keep your frustrations to a minimum with your unfortunate circumstance. If you ever feel you are in an unsafe area, call a tow truck to either change it for you or tow you to a garage that can help.

Owning a Used Car: How Much Can You Expect to Pay Each Month? | Stadium Auto Arlington TX

If you are tempted to cut corners on the purchase of your next used vehicle to save money, you may want to reconsider. Even though you can often find deals to save money up front, it usually comes back to bite you.

Simply put, getting a good deal on a used car spans beyond the purchase price. You also must consider the little things that accompany the monthly payment such as insurance, gas, maintenance and repairs. This may seem like a lot to afford, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be able to afford the used car of your dreams.

The costs of owning your ride is decreasing as time goes on. On average, the monthly operating and ownership costs associated with owning a sedan is $739.67 (or $8,876 per year), according to a recent report released by AAA. Operating costs include gas, maintenance and tires whereas ownership costs include full-coverage insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and finance charges.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of their findings by vehicle type, based on a 15,000 annual mileage:

If you are blown away by these figures, don’t start worrying yet. Here are some things to consider when shopping that can help you save later on down the line:

Gas

Wouldn’t it be grand if all cars could run off of oxygen? Unfortunately, cars need gas, and gas is expensive. Even hybrids require gas to function. Bummer.

So, when you’re shopping, you’ll need to pay attention to the fuel economy ratings, both on the highway and in the city. Put this expense into your car budget, and see how often you can afford to fill your tank. Even though you can’t control gas prices, you can control how much you spend to fill up your tank each week.

Maintenance

Extended warranties are great, but they typically only cover major repairs. That means you’re on your own with the day-to-day maintenance. It’s probably not a good idea to pick out the shiniest model on the lot without first taking a moment to figure out the anticipated maintenance costs.

Generally speaking, the older the model and the higher the mileage, the more costly the maintenance. You also might want to get the maintenance records to see if the vehicle was properly cared for by its prior owner.

Tires

Don’t forget to take a peek at the tires. If they are extremely worn, they will need to be replaced, which can set you back hundreds of dollars out the gate.

Insurance

Besides the cost of the monthly payment, car insurance is a top expense for your car. Unfortunately, it’s illegal not to carry coverage if you live in any state except for New Hampshire, so insurance is an expense you can’t avoid. But, the year, make and model of your car can affect the cost of your insurance.

Depreciation

Unless you seriously intend to drive the vehicle until the wheels fall off, you’ll want to purchase something that holds value. Otherwise, be prepared to fork over the difference between the sales price and what you owe when you want to sell or trade it in for a new set of wheels. Don’t let bargains on the purchase price fool you. Before putting any money down, look at the current asking price compared to older models to gain some insight on depreciation. And, steer clear of rebuilt or salvaged vehicles if you intend to earn any equity in your vehicle.

Bottom line, there is more to owning a car than just the car payments. You need to set a budget that includes all of the costs so you can see what you can reasonably afford.