Planning a road trip is a fun thing to do. Taking to the open road with your family on board with nothing on your mind other than how far you want to travel is a way that many people take their holidays these days. Perhaps you will drive to a neighbouring state or journey along a scenic coastal road? Where you go is not so important as staying safe in your car whilst you're driving. Along with the oil level and electrical systems, a key safety check you should make before a road trip is with your car's tyres. What do you need to look out for?

Part-Worn Tyres

Car tyres wear down at different rates. A front car tyre will typically wear down more rapidly than a rear one because most cars have their power supplied via the front set. Each of your tyres should be checked to make sure that it exceeds the minimum tread depth required by the police. On a longer journey, you could end up driving on balding tyres especially if they wear down quicker due to being driven on tracks and rougher roads. Most tyre dealerships will inspect the tread depth for you before you head off. Alternatively, invest in a tyre tread depth gauge. Replace any tyres that are nearing the end of their useful lives.

Correctly Inflated Tyres

If your tyres are too flat, then you won't be able to drive safely during a long road trip. Under-inflated tyres will only become flatter the further your travel. Don't leave the inflation of your tyres to your mechanic when you pay for a car service. You should pump up your tyres to the manufacturer's recommended level every few times you fill up with fuel. Don't put this job off. Prior to your road trip make sure that your car is able to brake and steer properly with correctly inflated tyres. Even partially flat ones are simply not safe.

Check Your Spare

You may have never used your car's spare tyre before. If you need it due to a blowout on the road, then the time to find out it is faulty is not when you are miles from home by the side of a busy road. Look at your spare to make sure it is ready to use before you set out on your road trip. Remember that spare tyres are sometimes limited by the range they can be used for or have a lower maximum speed, depending on what the car manufacturer has supplied.

Share