Tyre Checks Before A Long Journey

These are the five checks you need to do to ensure that your tyres are up to a long journey.

Bald isn’t beautiful when it comes to your tyres. The legal minimum depth for tyre tread is 1.6mm although at Protyre we recommend you replace tyres when they have 3mm of tread remaining.
 
You can check your tyre tread in three ways:

• The 20p test: insert a 20p piece into a tread groove on your tyre. If you can’t see the outer rim of the coin, your tyres are roadworthy. If you can see the rim then consult our tyre professionals about replacement tyres.

• Tyre tread wear indicators: if the rubber of the tyres is flush with the indicators then your tyre tread is below the legal limit.

• Tyre tread depth gauge: these professional tools are cheap and widely available and should be used before every long journey.

Take a few minutes to do a close inspection of your tyres. If you see any cracking, splits or cuts, then your tyres could need replacing. Pay particular attention to any bulges in the sidewall which indicate separation in the structure of the tyre and could result in tyre failure sooner rather than later.

While you’re inspecting the tread and sidewalls of your tyres, take a minute to check that each pair of tyres across both axles match in terms of size, load rating and tread pattern. Ideally, all four tyres will make a matched set but if they don’t, ensure that you have matching pairs of tyres in terms of brand, tread, construction and load rating.

Manufacturers also recommend that you have tyres rotated every 5,000 miles for even wear and tear, so why not book into your nearest Protyre garage and get your tyres rotated before you set off on any long journey.

Always check your tyre pressure before a long journey, particularly if you’re carrying a heavy load. Check the pressure when the tyres are cold and inflate to a pressure that’s consistent with the load you’ll be carrying.
 
If there’s no indication in the handbook or on the driver’s door jamb, inflate the rear tyres 2 - 5 PSI higher than the front tyres. Check that your tyres are rated to carry the load and avoid packing unnecessary items that could make the car unstable.

Your car tyres are the key to fuel efficiency, performance and safety so why not book in for a Protyre tyre safety check before you travel? It’s the smart way to ensure that every inch of your tyres is ready for the journey.
 
If they’re not, our qualified fitters will advise you on the best brands for your vehicle from premium tyres, such as, Pirelli to good quality mid-range brands, including; Falken and Sumitomo so you get the brands you like at a price that’s right.