CHANGING TYRE CHECKLIST
1. TOOLS: A spare tyre (which looks like one you would normally use on a scooter), a jack, a car tool kit (As I discovered, it becomes essential to have one when you least expect it. can be bought in Walmart and Kmart.)
2. TIME: It would usually take about 10 - 15 minutes to change a tyre, however, there are always exceptions (especially when I am involved).... Sometimes this simple task could take 3 1/2 hours. THe time you choose to change the tyre always plays an important role. Late night/ early morning is usually the best time. 2a.m. is ideal because you get to finish partying and in case you have trouble changing the tyre, sunrise, which most people have never seen, is four hours away.
3. FRIENDS: People from Akron, Cleveland, Cin Citi and Washington(D.C.) come highly recommended. Friends are good company especially when stranded in desolated areas without a cellphone..... hoping that all or atleast a few of them have brought theirs. They worry about you while you worry about the fate of your car. Their cheerful tirade provides comic relief to keep your spirits up. Most favored arguments involve who should stay and who should leave..... of course, no one leaves. When there are several guys present, you can be sure they all know how to change a tyre and they tend to confuse the mechanic who thinks that they have used the jack upside down and have still managed to raise the car. If the screws are too tight, be rest assured that they will use their varying body weight to try and loosen it by standing on the spanner or wrench. When that fails, they will continue in good spirits to cheer on the mechanic who finally does manage to get the job done and show concern when he almost takes his face off in the process.
*FYI: If you don't have any friedns you definitely will by the end of this four hour ordeal, even if it is a stranger trying out a new way of panhandling( in the wee hours of the morning).
4.AAA menbership: If you don't have your own pray that someone in your group does
5.ENTERTAINMENT: Usually comes in the form of:
a. Alcohol- Make sure you have vodka or a spiked orange drink you can get everyone to taste
b. Cigarettes- Pass time starring at each other through the smoke.
c. A sleeping individual who does not like being woken up.
d. Several other cars to tinker with while you are waiting for the tow truck.
e. Someone who lives close by so that you can go for a drive.
f. Car games
g.A music system
h. Someone who is celebrating their birthday so that you can keep wishing him everytime a cop passes by.
SO, how many people does it take to change a tyre?( As asked by a cop)
Usually 1 or 2 but at other times more than 15 amateurs, 2 mechanics from AAA and some guy who wants money for gas...:)