On a sunny Saturday afternoon, auto expert River Sky begins her hands-on safety session in the parking lot behind St. Faith’s Anglican Church. As part of a pre-trip inspection, she walks around a vehicle, giving the tires a few determined kicks.

“Tires should be secured to your vehicle. If not, you could have suspension problems or steering problems,” she says. “You get used to the sound your tires make when they’re properly inflated. Safety starts with your tires.”

Young Mia came to learn with her Aunt Jacqueline. The Grade 6 student is soon kicking tires with the rest of us.

Following River Sky around the lot for 90 minutes, I learned more about cars than in my entire life. That is Sky’s goal, she says. “I started giving these talks because too many people don’t know enough about the cars they drive. Women, especially, need to have access to safety and security tips.”

Sky’s background is all about proper care and maintenance of vehicles. She worked as a long-haul trucker before launching Val Gal Motors, her limo company. With two vintage Valiants and a Thunderbird convertible, she realized she could offer them for weddings, date nights, promotions, and other events. After two years in business, Val Gal Motors is still going strong.

After checking our signal lights, how to check fluid levels, and the fan belt, we moved on to two basic tasks: a tire change and a battery boost. Turns out that both require better equipment than we usually have with our vehicles.

Sky takes a small tire iron out of participant Eric Ruppel’s trunk. She quickly shows that it’s useless in removing lug nuts from his tires. Opening the trunk of her black 1964 Valiant, Sky reaches in and pulls out a large breaker bar that really means business. “This is what you need to break those lug nuts off,” she says with satisfaction. Next, she demonstrates how to use a car jack. “A bit of practice and you can master this,” she encourages us.

Jumper cables are used to charge a dead battery. I never really understood how they worked. I didn’t know that touching the black and red clamps together can result in nastiness. The shock that results can damage a car’s internal systems, and possibly the other car as well, says Sky.

Flipping open her impressive Crescent-brand auto toolkit, Sky suggests we invest a few dollars in serious auto tools. I admit that I am in awe of her kit. This is the real thing. “You don’t want to find yourself on a lonesome road without the right wrench to take care of a small problem,” she advises.

Stories of unpleasant road experiences come out. Tales of hours waiting for roadside assistance in the middle of winter. Sliding off the highway into a ditch. Breaking down by the side of the infamous Highway 2.

If I do break down, what should I do? In response, Sky recommends getting off the highway as much as possible. “If you can, limp your car along to an exit ramp. Your safety is top of mind. Disregard any tire or rim damage in favour of safety.”

The items you carry may save your life. Sky recommends water-repellant warm gloves, flares to warn oncoming vehicles, a head lamp to see your tire as you change it, a charging battery pack, a bucket of sand, and two minus-40 windshield washer bottles along with more winter emergency items. “If you’re stuck on ice and can’t move out, use the sand. You can also pour one jug of the windshield washer on the tire in the direction you want to go. The washer fluid will turn the ice to slush. That may get you out and save hours of waiting for a tow truck.”

To learn more about car safety with River Sky, contact her at ValGalMotors.com. Watch for her upcoming emergency preparedness list to be posted on Facebook and Instagram.