VC> change a tyre because I have never had a flat tyre in 24 years
 VC> of driving.

 RG> I said that after about 10 years of driving. Over the next few
 RG> weeks I ended up with 3 different flats :-(

  Another tip... always carry a square of 15mm-thick chipboard. My
first flat was in pouring rain on a dirt road, and when I wound the
jack up, it wound *down* into the mud! ROFL! The base of the jack is
too small, and with no give in it to match uneven ground. In that
situation, it is amazing how few hard places you can find... and how
the rocks you collect are always the wrong shape so the bloody jack
slips off.

  Years later, I had another flat, whipped out my square of wood,
placed the jack on it, and whee... no wukkers, wozza! It stuffed the
chipboard, but I just got another offcut for next time.

 RG> You'll be surprised at the strength & resoursefulness 
 RG> you'll find when stuck in the middle of nowhere and _need_ to
 RG> undo them.

  Actually, it's a good idea to loosen the nuts and re-tighten them if
they've been put on professionally by a torque-limited nut-screwer.
They can be almost impossible to budge. I had a really nasty moment
with my last flat, when the el-cheapo tin wheel brace slipped before
it budged the nut. Fortunately, I've still got the tools that came
with my Bellett 30 years ago.

Regards,
Bob
___ Blue Wave/QWK v2.12
@EOT:

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