Getting a tire puncture in the middle of the street or during a trip can cause nerves and an immediate question: What do I do now?
The episode Daniela Celis lived through, who acknowledged that she didn’t know how to resolve a tire blowout, brought back to the table a concrete need. Learning to drive isn’t just about moving a car: it also involves knowing some basic aspects of mobility and knowing how to react to an unforeseen event.
“I realized that there must be some course on how to change car tires for women,” Daniela reflected after going through the situation.
And those spaces exist. But there are also very simple pieces of knowledge that can help you prevent problems and feel safer behind the wheel.
If you get a tire puncture, you don’t have to solve it all by yourself
Autonomy doesn’t mean you have to know how to change a tire without help. It also means being able to recognize what’s happening, keep calm, and know whom to turn to.
In the face of an unexpected situation, having assistance and avoiding improvisation can be as important as having technical knowledge. The essential point is not to feel that good driving automatically means you can resolve any mechanical problem on your own.
The basic checks that can prevent you from having trouble
Tires are the only point of contact between the car and the ground. That’s why keeping them in good condition is fundamental for safe driving.
You don’t need to become a specialist. There are some simple checks that are worth incorporating:
- Check the pressure once a month.
- Also check it before setting off on a trip.
- Don’t forget the spare tire.
- Watch if the tread is worn or shows uneven wear.
- Pay attention if the steering wheel vibrates or if the car drifts to one side.
- Always consult the recommended size and pressure for your vehicle.
The correct pressure can be found in the manual, on the driver’s door frame, or next to the fuel cap. It’s advisable to check it with cold tires, before starting a journey.
Driving with a pressure that’s too low or too high can affect the car’s control, braking, comfort during the ride, and fuel consumption.
How to know if it’s time to change the tires
In addition to checking the pressure, it’s important to look at the overall condition of the tires. If the tread is very worn, there are visible damages, or you notice uneven wear, it’s wise to consult a specialist.
Lifespan is not the same for all tires. It depends on usage, driving style, roads, climate, and maintenance they received.
If you’re only going to buy two new tires, it’s safer to place them on the rear wheels, because they help maintain the car’s stability in an unexpected situation.
Signs you shouldn’t ignore
You don’t need to understand how every part of the vehicle works to notice that something has changed.
If the car tends to drift to one side when traveling in a straight line, it may be necessary to check the alignment. It’s also wise to do so if the steering wheel is off-center or if you observe that some tire wears more than the others.
If the steering wheel vibrates while you’re driving, there may be a balancing problem. In either case, the recommended step is to take the car to a specialized workshop.
It’s also recommended to rotate the tires approximately every 10,000 kilometers. This task must be performed respecting the characteristics and direction of rotation of each tire, so it’s best left to professionals.
Driving also means knowing your car
For 17 years, Mujeres al Volante has worked to accompany women through different stages of their relationship with driving.
One of the pillars of its Academy are the Automotive Mechanics for Women workshops, taught by mechanics specialized in both in-person and online formats.
The aim isn’t to turn participants into mechanics, but to help them know their vehicle better, incorporate maintenance habits, detect warning signs, and have tools to make informed decisions.
Among the practices conducted are changing a tire, measuring fluids, and the battery jump-start.
The Academy also runs Safe Driving Clinics and trainings in cars, motorcycles, 4×4 vehicles, and trucks. These experiences help expand personal autonomy and, in some cases, discover new career possibilities.
Learning to drive is also learning to manage fear
A driver may perfectly know the technique and, nevertheless, feel blocked in the face of an unexpected situation.
That’s why Mujeres al Volante also created Manage Your Fear with Love, an in-person and online training aimed at working through fear, insecurity, and anxiety related to driving.
The program incorporates tools for self-awareness, conscious breathing, mindfulness, and emotional management to help regain calm and drive with greater confidence.
“We don’t expect a woman to have to know how to solve absolutely everything all by herself. For us, autonomy also means knowing when and whom to ask for help. What we aim for is that she has knowledge, tools, and confidence to understand what’s happening and to be able to make decisions. And that all these tools can also carry over into everyday life,” explains Luly Dietrich, founder of Mujeres al Volante.
If you feel you need to learn more about your car or gain confidence behind the wheel, you can explore the Academy’s in-person and online offerings at @mujeresalvolante and at www.mujeresalvolante.com.
