You’ve set out on a road trip with your family. About an hour of car songs later and you feel the familiar sensation of a flat tire. Luckily, you’ve got a donut in your trunk that you can use to get you safely to the nearest tire place.
Even though you were prepared, it’s a bummer to have to take a detour to deal with a flat. That’s why it’s so important to give your tires a once over before you head out on the road.
Check out these tire tips to help your next road trip go a bit smoother than this one.
1. Check Your Tire Pressure
If your tire pressure is lacking you’ll be wasting a lot of your hard-earned money. Deflated tires decrease your car’s overall fuel efficiency. You’ll find yourself having to stop for gas a lot more often.
Your tires will also last longer if you keep them inflated the way they should be. Make sure you’re checking your tire pressure at least once a month. Not only when you’re about to make a big trip.
2. Don’t Neglect Your Spare
Before you head out on the road, be sure that you have a spare tire in the trunk of your vehicle. This way if an emergency comes up you’ll be prepared.
Like your other tires, you’ll need to perform maintenance on the spare to keep it in working condition. Before your trip look over it to see if it has any cracks or other visible issues.
3. Tread Depth
Tread depth is important if you want to avoid skidding on the road. The easiest way to check your tread depth is with a penny. Turn the penny upside down and place it in the tread groove.
If you can visibly see Lincoln’s head then that means you need to get your tires replaced before you go on your trip.
4. Alignment
Any time you hit a nasty pothole you may end up knocking your tires out of alignment. If your tires aren’t aligned then you’ll experience pulling and vibrating while you’re on the road.
Have your tires aligned not only right before a trip but whenever your car manual says you should.
5. Get Your Tires Rotated
It’s recommended to have your tires rotated at least once every 8,000 miles or so. This will help prevent wear and tear on your tires and extend their lifespan. Consider having them rotated before you make your road trip.
Tire Tips for a Safer Road Trip
If you’re planning to go on a road trip you’ll need to have your tires inspected before you head out. If you don’t you may end up getting a flat or worse. Use these tire tips to keep your family safe while you’re on the road.
Depending on how long your road trip is going to be, it may be best to get your tires replaced before you go. Contact us to ask about our services.
