So much for Sentosa!

Our plans to utilize our free drive-in Sentosa passes by
21 Nov ... FAILED!   =(

We were all excited to go on our night Sentosa expedition last Saturday after our cell group meetings.

We even managed to gather about 13 people from our subzone who were willing to squeeze into two cars to go!  We had it all planned out (though a little last minute) - moon-tanning, star-gazing, a couple of drinks by the beach, good company...  The weather that day seemed promising even...

About 6:30pm, we settled on which route to take from Hougang to Sentosa.  Everyone "choap-ed" their seats in the car of their choice - some preferred riding in the performance blue Mazda, others wanted space and comfort in the black Matrix.

 

However, before Jeremy's Mazda could even leave the carpark, he realized that his front left tyre had a puncture!!  Apparently, he had unknowingly driven over a nail and car made really loud banging noises each time he drove over a hump!

Remember the joke, "How many people does it take to change a lightbulb"?  Well, that night, the question was "How many people does it take to change a car tyre"!

So it was, a few mighty men braved the slight drizzle and began the task of changing Jeremy's front tyre.  Those who had the experience tried to recall what our driving instructors taught us.  Fortunately for us, there was an instruction manual!

So here's a friendly, brief refresher course:
'Coz We're Driver Too!

Step 1:  Loosen the bolts on the tyre

(Raw, brute strength's required for this!
So, just kick it if you have to!)

NOTE: It UNscrews in the ANTI-CLOCKWISE direction


Step 2:  THEN jack up the car

(The hook end of the "bar" goes through the hole on the right.  Start turning...)


Step 3: Fully unscrew bolts and remove tyre

Step 4: Replace with new tyre and screw bolts back on in a cross / star fashion
(so that it'll be screwed on straight)

NOTE:  You might want to find out where your spare tyre in your car's located first!  >.<   It's probably under the boot compartment.


Alternatively, just call the tow truck!!  haha...

We were all so proud of ourselves after we successfully changed the tyre!  What an "accomplishment" that was!

By the time all that was done, though, it was already about 8pm. Furthermore, Jeremy couldn't possibly drive around all night with a spare, which, btw, seemed a little deflated.  So, we took everyone to the nearby Esso kiosk to try and pump some air into the spare tyre.

FYI for the uninitiated (like us on that fateful night), you cannot pump air into spare at a normal kiosk!!  Apparently, the air pressure valve on the spare tyre's too small for the pressure guage or something...

                 Air Valve

Another side NOTE:  If you're attempting to check the air pressure on your tyres at the kiosk, but don't know what the specifications are, it is usually written your owners' manual or on a sticker located on the driver's side door-jamb!

Fortunately, the Esso guy suggested that we try the Shell station across the street as they sold tyres and rims there (if you notice, not all petrol stations do).  "It's probably closed now", we thought.  And yes, it was - it closed at 5pm!  BUT, we managed to call the technician and he said could come by in 15-20mins to help us!  PTL!

While waiting, we all speculated that he would change all the tyres.  In the end, all the guy did was patch up the punctured tyre and put it back on!!  S$40!  Jeremy was so greatful, he gave him a S$10 tip!


Well, so much for our Sentosa trip!  It was an interesting day, though!  When everything was fixed, Plan B kicked it as a reward for our "hard work"!

Since we were at Hougang, we drove off to Chomp Chomp @ Serangoon Gardens -> had Frolick yogurt  -> ended with The Desert Bowl (which never fails to reak of durian!!)  *bleah*

*yumz!*

*double yumz!*

OK!  So I hope you've enjoyed this informative (and a bit "chiong hay"; long-winded) post anyway!  Now you don't have to panic when you have a flat!  ;)