I can generally undo the lugs using the original tire iron from the car with my arm muscles. If it's too tight, you might have overtighten the lugs when installing? I always use a torqwrench to tighten the lugs.

It's easy to fall and get hurt, especially if you have to jump up and down on it as I have been forced to do.

I really prefer a universal type lug wrench such as this one on amazon.com. Nothing special about that particular lug wrench, they're fairly generic, but that design gives you much better control and power over the cheap one size POS lug wrenches that come in your car's kit.

I was a looking for a new one so my friend gifted me with a new edc/ghb "purse" yesterday.

It's a unisex shoulder bag, similar to a messenger bag. It's bigger than my old one and seems to be made of more durable material:

Exterior Dimensions: 12" x 11" x 4"
Linear Inches: 27"
Weight: 1 lb
Material: 420 High Density Nylon

Here's a link in case anyone is interested: Derek Alexander North/South Full Flap Carry On - Unisex

I moved all my EDC purse gear into it, and with the new carrying capacity, I winterized. I added a 16 oz Kleen Kanteen, a toque, a pair of gloves, a pair of merino wool socks and a couple more chemical hand warmers. I also added a couple packs of instant oatmeal and an mre spoon/condiment pack, topped up the OTC meds and bandaids, switched out batteries, and generally checked the condition of all the contents.

Everything fits with room to spare, and it's light enough that there's no risk of leaving it behind because it's too heavy or bulky.

But, will it hold a lug wrench?

Only the collapsible one that came with my car.

If anyone is looking to purchase a 4 way lug wrench, make sure to get a 20" model as those little 14' models do not give a person a lot of leverage. Also depending on vehicle fenders (flare) and rims, the 14" wrench will put your hands and body too close to the vehicle body and if that wrench slips off the nut when you are prying to loosen it, your hands and knuckles can take a nasty ride into some hard steel. Not to mention what could also happen to your face and head being that close to the vehicle when the wrench slips.

Also, these wrenches are made separately in SAE and Metric sizes. However there are also a lot of hybrid wrenches on the market that are both SAE and metric combined which take a comprise fit on the different SAE and metric lug nut sizes. It is best to avoid those hybrid wrenches and determine which lug nuts your vehicle requires and purchase either the SAE or metric only.

I never even thought of that. Thanks so much, Teslinhiker!

I find that handouts are valuable for the class - what to do and why, what to pack, what to avoid, etc...

I always keep a little WD-40 in the kit as well. And a little trick I learned as a kid opening Mom's pickle jars -- by using sharp blows to vibrate the lug nut free. Why use excessive force when a little know-how and technique work better?

But that's not where I often have a problem, its the seal at the hub itself. In the past I have resorted to mule kicking the rim to release the seal. These little tricks come from experience, you won't find any of these tips in the Owners Manual.