Changing A Flat Tire                                           

 This procedure often depends on your vehicle, equipment included, and the type of spare. lf you have a flat and have never changed a tire, refer to your owner's manual. The best idea, however, is a dry run. Learn to change a flat in your driveway during daylight hours. Also, be familiar with how to use a tire inflator product mentioned in the emergency item list. 

Jump Starting A Car  

The prospect of jump starting a vehicle is intimidating to many motorists. While the process isn't difficult, done incorrectly it can be dangerous. Following is the correct procedure: Position the vehicles so the batteries are as close as possible without the bumpers touching. Turn off both engines, set both parking brakes, and open the hoods. Identify the positive (marked POS or +) and negative (marked NEG or -) posts on each battery. Attach the cable with the red clamps to the positive posts of each battery. DO NOT let the metal clamps of the red and black cables touch each other. On the car with the good battery. attach the cable with the black clamps to the negative post. On the disabled car, connect the black cable to the bare metal on the car's engine or frame, as far as possible from the battery. Batteries emit explosive hydrogen gas, so you want to avoid sparks in that vicinity. Start the car with the good battery, revving the engine a little to make sure the battery is charging. Then start the car with the dead battery. (If the car still won't start, you may need a mechanic.) With both cars running, disconnect the cables in reverse order, beginning with the black cable (ground connection), then the other black cable. Drive for at least 20 minutes so the alternator can recharge the battery. Have the battery and charging system checked ASAP 

What To Do When Your Car Breaks Down 

A breakdown is a stressful situation that can be compounded by traffic, weather, location, even the time of day. Become familiar with the following procedure before an emergency arises. 

• Use the car's momentum to get it off the road safely and quickly. 
• Put on the emergency flashers, put the car in neutral and get as far off to the right as possible. If you're on a divided highway, you may have to pull to the left. 
• If you can't get off the road, set up flares. 
• Exit the car from the door away from traffic. 
• Raise the hood and leave it open. 
• Tie a light colored cloth to the antenna or door handle to signal an emergency. 
• If you have a cellular phone, use it to contact law enforcement officials. 

The nationwide emergency number, 911 will put you in contact with help. Remember, however, that 911 operators cannot locate you on a cell phone, so it is important to know a mile marker or at least a landmark. Two drawbacks: cell phones can be out of range of a transmitter and some communities do not have the 911 number in place. 

• Stay with the vehicle if at all possible. especially at night or during bad weather. 
• Wait until a uniformed law enforcement officer arrives. 
• Place a "Send Help" sign in a window so it is visible to other motorists. 
• Keep doors and windows locked. If someone stops to assist you, crack the window and ask them to call law enforcement. 
• If you must walk, write down your name, date, time you left your vehicle and the direction you are going. Leave that information on the dash. Walk facing traffic if there are no sidewalks. 
• If you must accept a ride, write down the above information plus the plate number of the vehicle in which you're leaving, as well as a description of the driver and vehicle. 
• Notify law enforcement of the location and circumstances in which you left your vehicle. 

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night ...

Motorists don't have the option of scheduling a breakdown, but preventive measures are easily scheduled. A car owner's best defense is to be proactive. Avert a crisis with planned maintenance. 

The One, Two Punch 

There are two ways to ensure your car is always road ready: scheduled maintenance and an annual inspection.

Scheduled Maintenance 

Haphazard maintenance leaves your car's condition constantly in question. The 3,000 mile/3 month oil change is a good example of preventive car care measures designed to avert a crisis and extend the life of your car. 

Annual Inspection  

"Early Detection" is a term we associate with saving lives. It applies in the automotive world, too, where an undetected condition could be life threatening. Investing in an annual check up for your car can pay big dividends. 

It Will Happen

If Murphy's Law is credible, sooner or later you will experience car trouble. Whether it's a flat tire or adverse weather, it pays to be prepared. Of course, your first defense against an emergency situation is a mechanically dependable vehicle. Second, is adhering to the information in this pamphlet. 

These are the items that you'd want in your car if you were stranded: Blanket (woven or space) 

• Electrician's tape 
• Rope 
• Empty gas can
• Are extinguisher 
• White Rags 
• Hares and/or reflectors 
• Jumper Cables
• Flashlight 
• Ice Scraper 
• Pliers (locking) 
• Tire inflator (pressurized can) 
• Water/Non-perishable food 
• Screwdrivers (slot head and Phillips) 
• Coffee can candle matches (makeshift heater)
• First aid kit (including important medications)
• Wide board to put under jack on soft ground

source of information  taken from doityourself.com