You are all prepared to take your family, friends, and everyone you love out for a long ride. But before the trip, it’s essential to check whether your car, especially its tires, is prepared to take all sorts of wear and tear. So, here are some road trip car tire safety tips which will make your journey smooth:
1. Check Tire Pressure
The first and the foremost road trip car tire safety tip is to check the pressure of the tire. Not many drivers are aware of the fact that under-inflated tires can cost a lot of fuel. Also, properly inflated tires can enhance fuel efficiency by almost 3 percent. So, the next time you plan a long road trip, apart from checking other car necessities, it is advisable that you have a good look at the tire pressure as well. Tire pressure should advisably be checked at least once per month especially when it’s cold.
2. Check Worn Areas and Tread Depth
Using a quarter and a penny you can determine whether your tire is worn out or it has enough threads left on it. If the major grooves are worn to 2/32 inch, i.e., distance between the head of the penny to the edge, it means you need a tire replacement. For checking if the tread depth is right, the distance from the rim of the coin to the hairline of the quarter is about 4/32 inch. The hairline of the quarter should not immerse in any grooves near the tread wear indicator.
3. Keep a Spare Tire
If a tire deflates and goes flat in the middle of a journey where you do not have a tire replacement center, a spare tire can be a life savior. So, before embarking on a long journey check if your car already has a spare tire. If not, it would not cost much to invest in one. Not just that, make sure you consider checking the overall condition of the tire. Next, it is advisable to learn the skill of replacing a tire so that you do not have to depend on someone else and wait.
4. Ensure Proper Alignment
For road trip car tire safety, it is essential that you pay heed to the alignment of your tires. Good wheel alignment helps in increasing mileage and also enhances the overall life of the tire. From the safety viewpoint, properly aligned tires help prevent skidding, vibration, abnormal tread wear, and road noise. It is therefore recommended by tire experts to check tire alignment every 12,000 miles.
5. Apart from the above mentioned tips, it is recommended to regularly check the warranty of tires for timely replacement. A healthy tire would help you have a smooth journey and keep you away from being involved in any serious road mishap.