POWDER PUFF AUTO’S Beginners’ Automotive Training for Moms

Changing a Flat Tire Several easy steps to making a big deal turn into a small glitch.

Identifying a Flat –A car with a punctured tire has no air pressure, it rides on the rim. The spare must be put on.

Locating Spare –The spare, along with the jack, is usually in the trunk. Some vehicles store the spar under the car.

Setting the Jack –Some cars have a marked place for the jack to rest on. Others, you must set the jack on any sturdy place such as a frame-rail or a control arm.

Loosening the Lug Nuts –Set the jack so that it is under pressure but the vehicle is not yet of the ground. Break each lug nut loose, one by one, but do not remove them.

Remove Flat Tire –Raise the car so that the tire is off the ground. Remove all of the lug nuts. Pull of the tire and set it down. Be careful while doing this so as not to rock the car and drop it of the jack.

Put On Spare –Put the spare in place and spin the lug nuts on with your hand. Snug them in a star pattern with a wrench so that tire is centered.

Finish Tightening the Lug Nuts –Bring the car down so that the spare touches the ground. Use the lug wrench to fully tighten the lug nuts. Bring the car down all that way and put away your tools.

Voila, Your Done!

Checking Under the Hood Making sure all your fluids and your battery are in perfect operating order.

Checking Oil Level –First and foremost, oil level is key for proper engine operation. The oil dipstick is either labeled or a bright color so that it’s easy to find. Pull out the dipstick and wipe it off with a rag.

Proper Oil Level –Dip the dipstick back into it’s holder and bring it up to check the oil level. The level should be at the top of the hash marks. If the oil is to dark/dirty, it might be time to change it.

Checking Coolant Level –To check the coolant, look at the side of the overflow tank and make sure the level is at the MAX mark. Also, check to see if the coolant is clean and still at it’s original color.

Checking Transmission Fluid –If a car is equipped with an automatic transmission, the fluid in it must be at the proper level. To check it, start the car and follow the same procedure as the oil level, only with the car running.

Checking Power-Steering Fluid –To check the power- steering fluid, locate the fluid reservoir. Remove the cap and you will notice that the dipstick is built right into it. Simply dip it and check the fluid.

Filling Windshield-Washer Fluid –The windshield- washer fluid tank should always be filled, just in case. To fill it, locate the tank and fill it until the tank is filled to the top.

Inspecting the Battery –Without the battery, your car would not start. For this reason, it is important to make sure that the battery is clean, dry, and that the terminals are shiny and not corroded.

Your Car Is Now Ready To Go!