Drive Safe this Summer

Summer is the time for long journeys and long days. Every year we drive a long trip which takes two days and last year our tyre blew out on a motorway! As such I though this year it might be a good idea to share with you some top tips to look after yourself and your tyres summer!

Checking your tyres is a must! In fact, they should be checked as part of a general vehicle check at least once a month. However, before any long journeys you should again check them. Regardless of whether its summer or winter!

Tread

The general rule of thumb for your tread is that the ridge of a 20p coin (1.6mm) should disappear when you place this in the tread of a tyre. Any less and you run the risk of a whopping £2,500 fine and three points on your license! And even worse? That’s per tyre. If all four of your tyres are worn below the limit it’s a £10,000 fine and you risk losing your license! So, aim for the recommended 3mm tread. Not only do you know your tread is good conditions but the braking distance in wet weather between 3mm and the worn 1.6mm is almost 50%!

Pressure

I think a bigger deal needs to be made about this. Check this weekly. Your tyre pressure is a huge safety issue with your car. It can have a huge impact on your driving. It can cause issues with your steering, the handling of the car, even down to your braking and also of course the mileage. The optimal pressure of your tyres for your make of car should be found on a metal plate inside the edge of your passenger door or if you can’t find it in your car’s manual.

Damage

Before every journey cast your eyes over your tyres. Check for any damage and any unusual wear and tear on any parts of the wheel especially the walls. Also keep an eye out for having driven over any tacks or nails that are in your tyre and could lead to a slow leak. Tyres now have a manufacture date, so regardless of obvious damage it is worth keeping an eye on this as the walls of the tyre will break down the older the tyre gets. Calmac Tyres offers a wide variety of tyre in Northampton at amazing prices. Book online today!

Overloading

Don’t overload your vehicle. Whether this is your trailer or just your run around car which has been filled up in the boot. Check your manual to determine your cars load limits. Overloading the weight can put stress on your tyres (and other critical parts) This again will cause poor handling; tyre damage and the will increase your fuel consumption.

These checks really only take minutes of your day and should become part of your routine. 

Not only will these checks ensure an enjoyable drive but also will increase your safety of yourself, your passengers and surrounding road users.