Your How-to Guide for Changing a Flat Tire

Flat tires seem to happen at the worst possible times. They are obnoxious, but with the right tools and method, you can fix a flat tire on your own and be on your way again. Read our how-to guide for changing a flat tire:

1. Be prepared. For on the road emergencies, your car should be supplied with a jack, a lug wrench, a fully inflated spare tire, and your vehicle owner’s manual. These tools, along with other essential car emergency items like a flashlight, gloves, a poncho, and a snow shovel, will be essential and will prevent an emergency situation from ruining the rest of your day. As another preventative measure, ensure that your tires (including the spare) are properly inflated at the right air pressure. Check tire pressure once a month and before you go on long trips with heavy hauls.

2. Secure your working area. Turn your hazard lights on as well as any additional reflective and flashing emergency lights to warn drivers of your presence. Don’t park on any curves or inclines. Don’t park on dirt, sand, or grass as your jack could become unstable in the soft ground. Turn on the parking brake as well as the emergency brake to prevent rolling, and stick a wedge (wood, a brick, or a large stone) beneath your tires to ensure your safety. If desired, you can take out your floor mat and kneel on the clean side as you work.

3. Use the sharp end of the lug wrench to remove the hubcap. Set it upside down on the ground to contain your lug nuts. Consult your owner’s manual throughout for reference.

4. Loosen the lug nuts prior to jacking up your car. This will make it easier to loosen the lug nuts than it would be while the wheels are spinning. Loosen the lug nuts to about ½ a turn without removing them completely.

5. Now is the time to place your jack. Place the jack under a solid piece of the car’s framework, not under the floorboards. It is likely that your car and owner’s manual have reference points for you to use.

6. Lift your vehicle off the ground with the jack. Lift the car so that the tire is only a few inches off the ground. Make sure the car is secure enough so that you can start working.

7. Unscrew the lug nuts and place them in the hubcap so that you won’t lose them. Remove the tire, gripping by the treads, and place it on its side so it doesn’t roll away.

8. Place your spare tire into the wheel well. Take note that many cars come with compact spare tires that are much smaller and need to be replaced shortly. Align it with the wheel bolts and add your lug nuts. Tighten the lug nuts by hand as much as possible.

9. Lower your car. Once on the ground, tighten the lug nuts to fully secure and prevent your tire from slipping off in the road, double checking your work. Replace the hubcaps onto your tire. Return all tools and emergency lights to your car.

Learning to change a flat car tire is an essential skill that is much easier than it looks. Learn other essential car maintenance skills as well as more vehicle information at Kuehn Motors.  

Choosing Tires for the Right Season

Winter is getting closer, and that means snow and ice will be on the roads. It’s important to ask yourself whether or not you have the right tires to get you through the season. There are three different types of tires: winter, summer, and all-season.

Winter Tires

Winter tires are great for the same season they are named. They can be easily identified by the deep, jagged grooves and squared off shoulders. However, the most striking difference is something you can’t see with the naked eye. Winter tires use a special rubber compound that does not harden as the temperature gets colder, making the grip on snow and ice much better than other tire options.

This may sound like everyone should purchase some winter tires and throw them on their vehicle, but there are actually some drawbacks that will make you think twice. The price of the better grip on the roads is that you will have poorer handling, and stopping distances will be increased. Your tires will also wear more quickly, and will cost more as you must replace them more frequently. Cars.com recommends that if you are generally driving on roads that are plowed and dried, winter tires are probably not for you.

           

Summer Tires

In contrast to winter tires, summer tires have shallow grooves that seek to maximize contact with the pavement. On the other hand, summer tires also use a softer compound which seeks to increase contact with the road surface as well. However, this does not mean the compounds are the same. Winter tires go soft in the cold but are too soft when it is warm. Summer tires are soft in the heat but become hard and stiff in more frigid temperatures. The maximization of contact with the pavement allows summer tires to have great handling and high grip. Once again, these benefits come with trade-offs. Summer tires will wear more quickly than all-season tires, and can also be very noisy at times.

All-Season Tires

All-season tires sound like they might be the best of both worlds. However, this is not necessarily the case. As Cars.com states, “They do everything reasonably well though they excel at nothing in particular.” The main benefits of all-season tires are that they aren’t as noisy in the summer and they are up to the challenge of snow and ice in the winter. An added benefit is that they last longer than single season tires, which saves you some money because you won’t have to replace the tires as often.

What Tires Should You Use?

If you’re buying tires, Edmunds.com has two guidelines they suggest you follow. The first is to know what your needs are and the conditions you drive in. If winter is approaching and you live in the country where the roads are often unplowed, winter tires may be a good idea for you. The second is to find a source that you know is knowledgeable and trustworthy to recommend which tires may be best for you.

Basically, you should do your own research on tire types as well as tire dealers, and narrow down some of your options, and know your needs. Once you have that information, a dealer can help you make sure you have the right tires for the right season. For more tire and car maintenance tips in an season, head over to our Facebook page.

Tips for National Car Care Month from Kuehn Motor Company

Winter is hard on everyone, but after months of snow, ice and salt, it’s especially hard on your vehicle! Just because the elements are gone, doesn’t mean you don’t have to take preventative measures with your car to keep it in excellent shape. April is National Car Care Month and it’s the perfect time for a reminder about the upkeep of your vehicle!

Tires - Without your tires, you’ll be going nowhere! Some people forget to remove their winter tires after the snow is gone. If you don’t, the winter tires can compromise stopping performance and wear out much quicker than all-season tires. You also want to check the wear of your tread because potholes can wreck havoc on your vehicle’s suspension. Make sure the tread is even and that there’s enough to prevent hydroplaning in the wet conditions spring brings. Although this is something you should do often, it bodes as a good reminder to check your tire pressure frequently. Keeping them properly inflated will help combat the summer heat that is sure to come.

Exterior/Interior - Giving your vehicle a good clean isn’t only great for aesthetics, but it prolongs the life of the car. Over the winter, your vehicle probably accumulated some of the road salt used to de-ice the roads and this can be damaging to the exterior- especially the undercarriage. Make sure to vacuum out the interior of your vehicle to reduce seasonal allergies that could be brought on by mud, slush and snow that are tracked in throughout the winter. If you don’t have time to give your car a good cleaning, you can always have it detailed at a service location near you.

Fluids - Your vehicle works harder during the winter than any other season -- especially during a Minnesota winter! Because of this, your vehicle also needs refills on fluids more often. Check the levels and fill them up as needed to make sure your vehicle keeps running smoothly for years to come. Not sure what to look for? The top fluids to check are: engine oil, transmission fluid, coolant, brake fluid and power steering fluid.

By performing these simple maintenance tasks, you can keep your vehicle running reliably and avoid future pains. If you hear any grinding, chattering or other noises coming from your vehicle while doing these, make sure to stop by one of our convenient service locations so we can make sure there are no issues. Winter is finally over and spring has arrived; it’s time to hit the open road and enjoy the beautiful weather!

Tips For Safe Driving In Snow

Here in Minnesota, it is essential to know how to drive in the snow.  In Rochester, Minnesota, the average snowfall each year 48 inches. Take a look at these tips to make sure that you will be able to drive safely in during the winter months this year:

• Be prepared. Make sure your tires have at least 6/32-inch of tread.  Having bald tires will make your car slip much more often. Traction on your tires is essential for safe winter driving.  Also, be sure to check your antifreeze level, and make sure that your defroster is working properly.  In addition, equip your car with a ice scraper, snow shovel, and flashlight, and a some non perishable food in the case you get stranded.

• Don’t follow the car in front of you too closely.  While the road might seem fine to you, there may be a patch of black ice you don’t see.  Putting enough room between you and the next car will allow you some room in case you start slipping, or if any other issues occur.  The recommended distance for winter driving is about four car lengths

• Don’t slam on the brakes.  When your car starts slipping on ice, your first reaction may be to slam on the brakes.  Don’t do this.  Slamming on the brakes removes the traction between the ground and your wheels and you will not be able to control your car.  Once you feel your car slipping, instead of braking, ease up on the gas and steer towards the direction of safety.

• Drive slowly.  The most common error in winter driving may be driving too fast.  Driving too fast may will reduce your reaction time if a problem occurs, such as ice or the car in front of you braking.  In addition, it takes your ten times longer to brake on ice than regular pavement.  

• Most importantly, give yourself more time to arrive at your destination.  If it normally takes you fifteen minute to get to work, during the winter months, give yourself at least twenty-five minutes to arrive.  Before driving, make sure your windows are completely clear of ice.  Once your start driving, take your time and look ahead of you in traffic.

Following these tips will help keep you safe during the winter months- drive safely and arrive safely!

You Might Be Ready For Winter, But Is Your Car?

In Minnesota, there’s no telling when winter will hit. By September, we’ve already stocked up on boots, winter jackets, mittens and hats -- just in case. You feel ready and prepared for the cold, snowy season to arrive, but is your car ready?

Just like winterizing your house and throwing on an extra layer before you leave for work in the morning, your car needs winterizing, too. There’s no avoiding the winter, so the sooner you prepare for it, the more comfortable you’ll feel when the first snowflakes hit the ground.

Here are some tips on how to get your car ready for winter! 

Make sure you have enough antifreeze: If you run low on coolant, that water in your radiator can freeze, which prevents it from flowing freely and cooling the engine. If this happens, your engine can overheat, despite the cold temperatures outside.

Make sure your tires have adequate tread: If the treads are worn on your tires, replace them. Or, better yet, invest in a set of snow tires. Snow tires have better traction in snowy weather and are equipped to better handle treacherous winter driving.

Check your wiper blades: It’s a good idea to get a set of winter wiper blades. These cut through snow and ice better to keep your view of the road clear and unobstructed.

Get a pre-winter tune up: Bring your car into Kuehn Motors for an inspection before winter comes. We can check the battery, antifreeze level, thermostat, heater, brakes and defroster to make sure all systems are functioning properly.

Get a good wash and wax: Rinsing off the road salt throughout the winter can protect the paint on your car, but go the extra mile and get a good wash and wax before the elements hit to better protect the appearance of your car!

If you follow these tips, you’ll be in good shape -- even when there’s 11 inches of fresh powder on the ground.