5 Ways You Can Prepare Your Car Tyres For Weekend Getaways

If you are planning a family trip out of the city for the weekend, then the chances are you’ll be packing the car up with toys and games to keep the kids entertained while squeezing in a few bags to cover all the weather possibilities the UK climate throws up. Don’t overlook your car’s tyres before any sort of getaway, however. Driving on arterial roads north out of the city like the A1 and M11 might mean passing through rural Hertfordshire en route to your final destination but they’re not places where you want to be pulled over on the hard shoulder to fit the spare that’s currently hidden underneath all your luggage. What should you do to make sure your tyres are in good condition for a weekend getaway?

Inflate Your Tyres Correctly

Pump your tyres up so they’re optimised for your journey. Under-inflated tyres offer less control and impair fuel economy while over-inflated ones will wear down quicker than they otherwise would. Do this job again before you head back if you’ve driven over rough ground.

Replace Balding Tyres

By putting a 20p coin into your tyre tread, you can easily tell when it is approaching the legal limit allowed on British roads anywhere in the country. The rim will become more visible when looked at sideways-on if the tread has dropped too low. Have tyres replaced if any part of their tread is approaching this threshold. Ignoring this can lead to reduced grip and handling, especially in wet or slippery conditions. It is recommended by experts to not take a risk when it comes to road safety. – If you are searching for a reliable local tyre fitter – you can find the right tyres in Hertfordshire from DAT Tyres and hit the highway with confidence.

Have the Wheel Balancing Checked

This is something that a professional should do for you. Wheel balancing isn’t something that is down to the tyres exactly but it certainly impacts positively on their performance when done correctly. In short, wheel balancing helps you to maintain more control when cornering and conducting other manoeuvres which, in turn, will mean you and your passengers are safer when navigating on roads you might not be used to.

Have the Car’s Tracking Checked

Like wheel balancing, car tracking also gets knocked out of kilter, especially when you have to go over so many road bumps in London to get anywhere nowadays. If your tracking isn’t adjusted, then you could notice your car veers to one side or the other, not much fun on fast roads like the M25 or A10.

Inspect Tyre Sidewalls

Finally, check your tyres’ sidewalls for bulges. If you find any, it could mean they’re about to blow and dangerous. Replace them without delay and don’t wait until you get back from your weekend break.