Oh Fudge.....Changing a Tire

Every time I think about changing a tire, I think about this classic movie moment....

A Christmas Story treat! 

A pretty basic skill to know, changing a tire has never been something I've completed until now. While I've gathered the basic process from watching my husband do this countless times, the old "what if's" always came popping into my head. What if you're alone on a dark, scary road and you get a flat tire? Would you be able to change it? What if you came across a van full of children, puppies and the elderly with a flat? Could you help them? Yes - I know some of my "what if" scenarios are a little more plausible than others, but this is something I need to have confidence in doing so I don't send that car full of puppies, kiddos and old people down the road with a loose lug nut.

So with the assistance of a few Youtube videos and some oversight but not direction from the hubs just to make sure I was doing things correctly, I started the journey of changing my tire.

While the tools in your car are functional and can do the job, there are definitely tool upgrades I'll be making including a better lug wrench. But, I wanted to work with what I had so no better tools were used on this list item except for what was included in my car from the manufacturer.

There were no big surprises in the process (set e-brake, loosen nuts, jack up the car, finish loosening and remove lug nuts, remove tire, place spare, tighten lug nuts, lower car, finish tightening). Note that lug nut tightening (I did it for loosening as well but don't think it's imperative) needs to occur in a star pattern - not straight around in a circle. The only part I truly struggled with was initially loosening the lug nuts. It took me a while, and I had to step on the lug wrench to leverage the power of my legs along with my arms to make it work on two lug nuts, but they finally came loose. Here's the proof. 

The resistance here made me want to go do more arm workouts. And even Scratch the cat had to come see what was going on in the driveway. 

All in all, that dark road isn't as scary anymore because I know I can change that flat and vans of puppies, children and the elderly can now rest a little easier. 

Yes - I know my spare was pretty flat and was aired up immediately after I took it back off. But that's a good reminder to everyone - air up your spare tire occasionally, 

Update on some other list items. I'm at 5 of my 10 push up goal and at 2:45 of my 5:00 minute plank hold. I've hiked 19 of the 100 miles. I'm still working on which outdoor music festival I should attend; suggestions are welcome. A few of my Iceland pictures may be in the running for breathtaking photo, but I'll keep snapping pictures until a clear winner stands out. And I'm officially registered for my half marathon in April. To refresh on the full 30 item list, click here.