The wife is leaving to take a long weekend Friday and visit one of her old friends. Per usual she always ask me to check out whatever vehicle she is driving before she leaves - no idea of why she ask every time but it's something I have always done + I do 99% of the work on our stuff anyway.
I normally go through and check all the fluid levels, topping stuff up if it needs it and then check tire pressures. I actually just did some work on this car about 3 weeks ago; oil and filter change, tire rotation and new brake pads on the front end. As I was checking the tire pressures which were still at the PSI I had set them, I thought I haven't ever checked that spare tire. This is one of those Versa Hatchbacks that we bought new in 2014. I got the stuff out of the back and started to crank the spare tire down - but I couldn't budge the bolt. I'm not 18 anymore but yesterday I was lifting a fully built TH350 around without much trouble. So, I get under there and hit it with a little bit of engine fogger - if you didn't know engine fogger is great for lubricating stuff as it doesn't attract a lot of dirt or debris when it dries. I still had to put some muscle on the bolt but it broke loose and I lowered the spare tire. Just as I thought, the tire had 10 PSI in it when it should be at 60 PSI. So before putting the tire back in the holder, I sprayed that bolt again and everything snugged back up - I also didn't play gorilla with tightening it either.
Now - I have a Good Sam roadside plan that I carry every year and if something happened, my wife knows to call them for help - no way I want her out there trying to change a tire. They've rescued her a couple of times and the service was quick and professional - well worth the coin to me. I also got my motorhome stuck in the side yard one year - we had a bunch of storms come up and 20,000 pounds sank into the mud a bit. They sent a wrecker and pulled her back into the driveway. That one probably paid for the year's coverage right there.
Sorry - not trying to be a commercial but the next time you're giving your ride the once over, check that spare if it's been awhile.
I normally go through and check all the fluid levels, topping stuff up if it needs it and then check tire pressures. I actually just did some work on this car about 3 weeks ago; oil and filter change, tire rotation and new brake pads on the front end. As I was checking the tire pressures which were still at the PSI I had set them, I thought I haven't ever checked that spare tire. This is one of those Versa Hatchbacks that we bought new in 2014. I got the stuff out of the back and started to crank the spare tire down - but I couldn't budge the bolt. I'm not 18 anymore but yesterday I was lifting a fully built TH350 around without much trouble. So, I get under there and hit it with a little bit of engine fogger - if you didn't know engine fogger is great for lubricating stuff as it doesn't attract a lot of dirt or debris when it dries. I still had to put some muscle on the bolt but it broke loose and I lowered the spare tire. Just as I thought, the tire had 10 PSI in it when it should be at 60 PSI. So before putting the tire back in the holder, I sprayed that bolt again and everything snugged back up - I also didn't play gorilla with tightening it either.
Now - I have a Good Sam roadside plan that I carry every year and if something happened, my wife knows to call them for help - no way I want her out there trying to change a tire. They've rescued her a couple of times and the service was quick and professional - well worth the coin to me. I also got my motorhome stuck in the side yard one year - we had a bunch of storms come up and 20,000 pounds sank into the mud a bit. They sent a wrecker and pulled her back into the driveway. That one probably paid for the year's coverage right there.
Sorry - not trying to be a commercial but the next time you're giving your ride the once over, check that spare if it's been awhile.
She meant something else, though. And it didn't mean to involve my thumb
Comment