If you are planning to take the family on a road trip this year, their safety should be your number one priority. In order to keep them safe, it is crucial that your car be at its best to avoid any mechanical failures on the road. Fortunately, to help you avoid potential disaster, here are 4 tips on how to check your tyres before a road trip:

1. Check the air pressure.

Even during normal use, it is crucial that each tyre has the correct tyre pressure to keep everyone safe. However, while travelling, you must take into account the added weight of passengers, luggage, pets, and bikes. When carrying a heavy load, you may need to inflate your tyres at a higher pressure to remain safe, although you will need to check your manual for the full details.

Before packing the boot of your vehicle, it is important to check that your spare tyre is in good working condition in case you should need it. Not only should the spare tyre be in working order, but you should also check that all of the equipment to change your tyres is present and in working order as well.

 2. Inspect the tread.

Once you have checked the air pressure for your tyres, you need to check the condition of the tread. If there is anything embedded in the tread, you will carefully need to remove it and have any holes fixed. If any bulges, lumps, or cuts are found, you must contact a qualified professional immediately for repairs before driving.

You also have to ensure that the tread depth meets the legal requirements for cars, such as an Audi, which is 1.6mm along the central three quarters of the tyre in the U.K. In order to pass, the required depth must also be around the entire circumference of the tyre. If the tread is worn down far enough that you can see the wear bars (raised bars of rubber in the groove), it is time to immediately buy new tyres.

 3. Check the rotation.

When travelling with extra weight, it is important to check your tyres beforehand to ensure that any wear and tear is being distributed more evenly. To help extend the life of your tyres, it is recommended to have them rotated every 5,000 miles. However, if your vehicle has specific tyre requirements, such as different tyre pressures for both the front and back tyres, you will need to refer to your manual.

 4. Check the alignment.

If you hit a bad pothole while travelling, the jolt can potentially cause the front of your car to fall out of alignment. When the car is out of alignment, your tyres can also become damaged. However, you can easily avoid further damage by having your car’s alignment checked regularly by qualified professionals.

By taking just a few minutes to inspect your vehicle, you can reduce the risk of experiencing a tyre blowout that will definitely put a dent in your holiday plans.

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