From the far north to Birmingham, just about in the middle of the UK to London, the brightest jewel in England’s crown, to the south, no matter where you are going or what reason you are travelling for this summer, you do not want to take a chance on breaking down. The most common cause of roadside disruption is tyre problems: here are five ways to keep your tyres going as you roll across the UK, for business, for leisure or for any other reason.
Buy the Best
Before any road trip – even before you have really considered the longevity of your car, make sure that you replace old parts with high-quality spares. This includes everything from filters and belts to your tyres. While sometimes you can make savings by opting for generic, cheaper alternatives, this is not always the case, and when it comes to your tyres, investing a little extra money in your new tyres really does buy you more benefits. These include tyres that are more robust and will last longer; the latest innovations in tyre technology so you are safer and your car is subject to reduced wear and tear, and even improved fuel economy so you pay less at the pumps. All these benefits often put money back in your pocket, meaning that even the most expensive premium tyres end up costing you little more than the budget alternatives that might tempt you at the point of sale. If you are in the Big Smoke, you can get great deals on tyres in London from Elite Direct – before you set off to Birmingham to explore the Midlands and get to enjoy the delights of the M6 Toll Road!
Check the Specs
Make sure you buy the right tyres for your car: fitting the wrong size tyres can cause excess wear and tear on the tyres, and can even extend into the moving parts of the vehicle, affecting everything from the steering and suspension to the speedometer and brakes. Choosing the right tyres is easy to do, however if in doubt ask your local garage for assistance. This way you will quickly notice the difference when your ride is smooth and your car is effortlessly responsive to your merest touch.
Check Them Often
No matter if you are going for a series of shorter day trips, or heading off on a two-week jaunt taking in the biggest and best of England, from Birmingham to London to Newcastle to Wales, look for the following:
- Tread depth should be a minimum of 1.6mm over the middle three-quarters of your contact surface, but mechanics recommend you start planning replacements when your tyres get to 3mm over the whole contact surface. Good tread will keep your car firmly gripping the road, no matter how wet the weather.
- Inflation should be at manufacturer’s recommended levels at all times. Not only is this a legal requirement, it is common sense because it gives your tyres the best chance of gripping the road to help you steer, stop and drive along the UK’s busy roads.
- Signs of damage can be subtle: a dark mark can be a puncture, a crack or fracture can squeeze itself to almost the point of invisibility, and only missing chunks of rubber (usually a very bad sign indeed) are obvious signs that all is not well with your tyres. Make a habit of checking the appearance of your tyres in good condition so that you can easily spot when something begins to go wrong. It is a simple matter to visually inspect your tyres every so many hundred miles or once a week. This can save you a lot of stress and inconvenience.
Declutter
It’s easy for cars to become filled with the detritus of everyday life, so make it a habit to clear everything unnecessary to the running of the car or your destination from the boot and the back seats. This will make the car lighter, so it uses less fuel as well as extending the life of your tyres – and it will give the children a bit more room to stretch out in too!
Drive with Care
Finally, always drive with care, especially when you are tackling unfamiliar roads or travelling to new destinations. This might seem like quite passive advice, but it can make all the difference to the longevity of your tyres.