One could add - do it in a safe place, even if it means wrecking the tire (sic). Not a problem in the US as virtually always plenty of safe space to pull over to. Could also add torque to the correct tightness when you get home.

Are you assuming tactical air support, maybe from a drone operated by the local èquivalent of the AA (AAA)?

Seem more likely than them having a torque wrench, and probably more useful.

I can remember a few "What's in your emergency tool kit?" threads on the US site I used to post on before I was banned, in which sidearms seriously outweighed spanners. Quite a few long weapons (mostly AR-15) too.

Another guy regarded carrying an electric impact driver as essential.

"How else are you going to get the lug nuts off?"

Seriously. I am not making it up.

Thinking about it a bit more though, if you think you might have to remove the "lug nuts" under fire, time might be of the essence.

Edited by edlithgow on 23/12/2020 at 03:23

Don't you mean "prequel" or "prelude"?

No, I think he means a segue, but I also thought it might be an appropriate pun for a motoring column ....

I thought it was the transition between the two, though that's just from context. I've never looked it up.

Edited by edlithgow on 23/12/2020 at 03:16

On a serious note, I’m always a bit nervous as to where exactly the jacking point is. Not always clear - certainly a point of some debate on my A3! Manufacturer-supplied jacks never look substantial enough to me. In recent years I’ve only had to change a wheel once and I was lucky enough to be able to do it on my driveway with my own trolley jack. If I get a flat while out, I’ll call out my breakdown recovery company. Changing a wheel is part of the cover.

The most likely problem with changing a wheel at the roadside will be finding a hard level surface to jack against.

I'd say the most likely problems, in rough order of probability, would be:-

1. Flat spare (no spare is likely too, but excluded by "changing a wheel")

2. "Professionally" applied wheel nuts, which will have been massively over-torqued and un-lubricated, so won't be removable with the standard tools.

3. .finding a hard level surface to jack against.

I wonder if there are actually any figures on this? A quick Google didn't find any.

Edited by edlithgow on 11/01/2021 at 09:57

I've often seen the recommendation to carry a bit of board (plywood would be a better bet) as a jack foot, so the .finding a hard level surface to jack against is subject to recognition and preparation by the user too, though come to think on't I dont have one. Should fix that, really

I'm not sure the discussion was about jacking points, but if it was, I'd add in passing that I never use them, because (a) I don't trust them (with good reason on some of my past cars) (b) I dont usually have the original jack, which is often required to use the "official"jacking points. I use a bottle jack

(Seems to be stuck in italics. Whaddya gonna do?)