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9 mistakes to avoid when dealing with a flat tire

9 mistakes to avoid when dealing with a flat tire

An automobile has several moving parts, with each being vital to the vehicle’s overall performance. For instance, the tires ensure the car smoothly glides from one destination to the next. However, a puncture can result in a flat tire, which must be dealt with or replaced immediately. Most individuals, especially new drivers, are unaware of what to do when dealing with a flat wheel, which can lead to common yet avoidable mistakes.

Leaving the vehicle in neutral
When changing a tire on a car with a manual gearbox, it is important to first turn off the engine and engage the handbrake. Leaving the car in neutral can cause the wheels to move, making it difficult to remove the bolts. To prevent this, shift the car into the first reverse gear. This will lock the other two wheels and keep the car from moving. Those with an automatic transmission should put the car in the “P” or parking gear mode before removing and replacing a flat tire.

Never paying attention to the spare wheel
Generally, a car comes with a spare wheel for emergencies. However, since punctures are uncommon, one may never pay attention to the spare in the back. The lack of maintenance might cause the spare wheel to deteriorate over time. So, if one has a flat tire, the poor quality of the spare wheel may require professional roadside assistance, such as a towing truck, which costs a lot of money. One should regularly check the spare tire and ensure it is properly inflated if they ever need to install it.

Changing it on the road
Experiencing a flat tire while on the road can be a stressful situation. However, it’s important to handle the situation safely. Do not attempt to change the tire while on the road. Instead, take a deep breath and move your vehicle to a safe location off the road. If one is on the freeway, try to pull over as far to the right as possible. Turn on the hazard lights to let others know about a distressed situation. Following this, one can safely pull over and proceed to change the flat tire.

Swapping out a flat on an incline
Swapping tires on an incline is a common mistake one must avoid. Raising a car on a jack on an incline can cause the vehicle to tip over, potentially damaging the car and causing injuries. So, before jacking up the car, finding a safe and stable surface is necessary. Moreover, wheel wedges should be placed behind or in front of the tires to prevent the vehicle from rolling over when replacing the flat tire.

Checking the vehicle on the jack
While jacking the car will help replace the tire, it isn’t the best tool for performing checks underneath the vehicle. To check the bottom of the vehicle, one must use the appropriate tools. Alternatively, if there is any suspected damage, it is recommended to take the vehicle to a nearby service garage, where an expert can help determine the issue and resolve it promptly.

Letting passengers sit in the vehicle
If one needs to change a flat tire and has found an ideal location to proceed with the swap, one should ensure no one is inside the vehicle. Having additional weight inside the car might apply additional pressure on a jack and cause it to fail. As a result, the vehicle may slip off and get damaged or lead to injuries. Ensuring that no one is seated in the car will make the automobile much lighter and ensure a smooth tire-swapping process.

Placing the jack at the wrong points
It is possible for people to accidentally place the jack under a car and lift it. Each vehicle has specific points on the underside designed for the jack. Overlooking this factor can potentially damage the underside of the vehicle or even cause it to fall off the jack. It is important to refer to the vehicle’s manual for detailed information on the correct jacking points specific to the model. This will help one place the jack at the appropriate points.

Incorrect lug tightening
Improperly tightening the lugs on a car’s tire could lead to them being left loose. As a result, the spare tire can wobble or even come off while the car is in motion, creating an extremely dangerous situation that must be avoided. To tighten the lugs correctly, one must use a wrench and turn them clockwise. Additionally, it’s crucial to apply all of your body weight to ensure the lugs are tightened to the greatest extent possible.

Not calling a professional
If one is a new driver and unable to change a tire, it’s always recommended to safely park the car and seek help from a professional. Roadside assistance services can take the flat tire off and replace it with a spare tire for a fee. While one waits for a technician to arrive, one could help speed up the process by cleaning out the trunk to make the spare tire more accessible. One could always look for roadside assistance packages online, which could help them save on costs such as those associated with flat tire replacements and towing.

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4 useful tips for managing migraines

Migraine is a prevalent health condition in which a person experiences severe headaches, usually on one side of the head. There may also be other symptoms like sensitivity to light, tiredness, and nausea, which can last a few hours to two days. The ailment is triggered due to stress, certain foods, and other factors. While there is no cure for migraines, the following tips can help manage the symptoms effectively: Use the correct treatment options There are several treatments for migraines, but it is essential to choose the correct one after consulting a doctor. The popular options include: Nurtec ODT Nurtec ODT is an oral treatment that can help alleviate symptoms like headaches, pain, nausea, and sensitivity to light in adults. One can use Nurtec ODT on alternate days or as the doctor recommends. Its side effects include allergic reactions, trouble breathing, and rash. UBRELVY It is a fast-acting treatment option that blocks a specific protein in the body known to induce migraine attacks. One can consult a doctor to determine the dosage according to their condition. The most common side effects of UBRELVY are nausea and sleepiness. Excedrin Excedrin is suitable for temporary relief from migraine headaches. It can also treat aches caused by other factors, such as arthritis and toothaches.
Foods to be avoided by diabetes patients

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Food gets broken down into glucose by the body to release energy for its functioning. Most meal plans combine fats, proteins, sugars, and other essential carbohydrates vital for healthy growth and organ function. However, people with diabetes should be careful about seemingly healthy foods as it can trigger a spike in their blood glucose levels. Here are different foods that are bad for diabetes and should not be eaten regularly: Various foods that are bad for diabetes patients Fruit juices and other drinks Sugar consumption via beverages can spike insulin levels drastically. Did you know that lots of seemingly healthy store-bought fruit smoothies, sports drinks, bottled juices, and sodas can spike blood sugar levels too? Also, natural fruit juices are not necessarily a healthy option as they are high in fructose. Aside from this, cola, iced tea, lemonade, and other flavored beverages are excessively high in carbs, sugar, and fructose. Their regular consumption can trigger insulin resistance, forcing healthy cells to reject insulin and extract glucose for energy. Another crucial thing to remember is to avoid any type of spirit if you have diabetes. These contain empty calories and can worsen the condition significantly. Cereals, yogurt, and dried fruits Daily breakfast cereals are fortified with essential vitamins and nutrients that make up for a wholesome meal.
6 human foods that cats can enjoy

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Certain foods that are healthy for us may be beneficial for your cat. As a responsible cat parent, it is essential to be aware of the foods and their sources before slipping a morsel from your plate into your pet’s bowl. Ingestion of toxic foods can adversely affect the cat’s digestive system. Hence, it is advised to consult a vet for recommendations. Here is a list of human foods that are perfectly safe for cats: Meat Cats are carnivores by nature. Most of the commercial cat food in the market contains different meats, an excellent protein source. So, feeding them bits of cooked meats like beef, turkey, or chicken from your lunch plate is entirely alright. Make sure you limit the quantity of the meats. Overeating may cause digestive issues in cats. Salmon Cats love fish, and most vets recommend feeding them fish-based foods. They are a good source of omega-3 and other nutrients. Oily fish like tuna, salmon, or mackerel prove beneficial for their eyesight and joints. However, do not feed your feline straight from the can as they might lick it too aggressively, leading to cuts and bruises on their tongues. It’s best to feed them cooked fish without bones.
Top 9 foods for healthy lungs

Top 9 foods for healthy lungs

Life isn’t fun when one can’t breathe properly. Years of unhealthy lifestyle habits and other factors can seriously affect the functions of the lungs, resulting in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary fibrosis, and other respiratory diseases that decrease quality of life. Fortunately, one can manage these diseases and even prevent them altogether by incorporating certain foods into their meal plans. Here are some foods that can boost lung health: Beetroots When it comes to the health of the vital organ, beetroot and even its leaves are among the best foods anyone can have. That’s mainly because both beetroot and beet greens are rich in nitrates, which help relax blood vessels, reduce blood pressure, and optimize oxygen uptake. Beet greens are full of nutrients essential to lung functions, such as vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and carotenoid antioxidants. To benefit from beets, add them to salads or make beet juice. Turmeric This yellow spice has been used for centuries to treat various ailments. Curcumin, the main component in turmeric, is behind all the health benefits. Its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial characteristics can make turmeric extremely useful for improving lung function and aiding in conditions such as asthma, COPD, and pulmonary fibrosis.
3 foods to avoid for better lung health

3 foods to avoid for better lung health

Strengthening the lungs can help one avoid respiratory issues and diseases. Even when diagnosed with a lung-related illness, making significant changes to the lifestyle and food regimen can help people manage the symptoms and restore lung function. However, it is equally important to avoid the food items that damage these organs and cause issues like inflammation, sneezing, and wheezing. Here are a few foods to avoid to improve lung health: Salty food Foods with excessive salt should be avoided as their long-term consumption can have severe consequences on the overall health. Excess sodium in such food items can enlarge the muscles of the heart, cause headaches, increase blood pressure, and lead to a wide range of kidney-related issues like stones. Such foods can also have a negative effect on the health of the lungs and have been linked to an increased risk of bronchitis. Additionally, too much salt in meals can also worsen the symptoms of respiratory issues like asthma. This is because sodium can cause fluid retention, leading to shortness of breath in those with lung diseases. To reduce its intake, one should start by limiting salt in their meals and instead add more herbs and spices as seasoning.

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