The school holidays are one of the busiest times of the year on UK roads. Whether you're heading to the coast, visiting family, or setting off on a staycation, spending just a few minutes checking your vehicle before you leave can help you avoid unnecessary delays and improve your safety on the road.
At Tyres4U, we know your tyres are one of the most important safety features on your vehicle. They're the only part of your car in direct contact with the road, so their condition plays a vital role in braking, steering and overall vehicle performance.
You might expect a near miss or frightening moment on the road to encourage drivers to check their vehicle... but that's often not the case. Research from
TyreSafe, the UK's dedicated tyre safety charity, found that only 11% of drivers checked their tyres after a near miss or scare, while 22% admitted they did nothing at all.
Rather than waiting until something goes wrong, taking a few simple precautions before you travel can help give you confidence for the journey ahead.
Before you set off on your next family adventure, here are five essential tyre safety checks that can help keep you and your loved ones safe.
5 Essential Car Checks Before Your School Holiday Journey
1. Check Your Tyre Pressure
Incorrect tyre pressures can affect your vehicle's handling, increase fuel consumption and cause tyres to wear more quickly. They can also increase your stopping distance, particularly if you're travelling with a fully loaded car.
Always check your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold and use the manufacturer's recommended settings.
Your recommended tyre pressures may change when you're carrying extra passengers or luggage, so it's worth checking your vehicle handbook or the sticker inside the driver's door to make sure you're using the correct pressures for a fully loaded vehicle.
Here is some more information on how to check your tyre pressure…
2. Check Your Tread Depth – Try the 20p Test
Your tyre tread helps channel water away from the surface of the road, maintaining grip and reducing the risk of aquaplaning. As tread wears down, your tyres become less effective, especially in wet weather.
The legal minimum tread depth in the UK is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. However, many drivers choose to replace their tyres before they reach this limit, as braking performance can begin to reduce as tread wears.
A quick way to check your tyres is by using the 20p test:
- Insert a 20p coin into the main tread grooves of your tyre.
- If the outer band of the coin is completely hidden, your tread is likely to be above the legal minimum.
- If you can see the outer band of the coin, your tread may be approaching or below the legal limit and your tyres should be checked as soon as possible.
Remember to check all four tyres and inspect the tread in several places around each one, as tyres don't always wear evenly. Even if your tyres have plenty of tread remaining, look for signs of ageing such as cracks or weathering.
If you're ever unsure about their condition, it's always best to have them inspected by a professional before setting off on a long journey.
3. Look for Damage
Before setting off, take a walk around your vehicle and look for any obvious signs of damage, including:
- Cuts or cracks
- Bulges in the sidewall
- Objects embedded in the tread
- Uneven tyre wear
If you notice anything unusual, don't ignore it. Damage such as sidewall bulges can indicate internal tyre failure and should be inspected before travelling.
Remember to ACT Now