I CAN understand the problems faced by Valerie Roberts (Daily Echo November 28) due to her failure to find her missing lock nut to enable a wheel change following a puncture.

Valerie’s advice that lady drivers know where the locking nut is should equally apply to men as I have my suspicions that this good advice applies to both genders.

I would also add that it might be a good idea to check if the car is actually supplied with a spare wheel as this tends to be an optional extra on new vehicles.

Drivers may find that they have a can of tyre sealant and air compressor as a ‘get you home’ measure which may be effective in sealing a slow puncture, but useless if the puncture occurs at speed as the tyre will be damaged beyond repair by the time the vehicle has stopped.

With the cold, dark nights on the way a quick check to find out what’s in the boot may be a good idea rather than suffer the inconvenience and delay should a puncture occur.

Chris Hinds, Southampton.