Summer is the season for vacations and, above all, for the popular roadtrips that can lead us to travel around our province or learn more about our country. To ensure that you travel safely, you should take a few precautions. This could save you an unexpected trip to the garage or a few expensive repair bills on your return! Often, this involves tires, as they act as the only real point of contact between your vehicle and the road.
As a recent survey conducted by Leger for the Canadian Tire and Rubber Association shows, unfortunately not everyone takes precautions! Only a little more than a quarter of drivers check their tire pressure at the frequency recommended by the manufacturers, i.e. once a month. Don’t be part of the 75%! Here are a few simple things to think about before you leave on vacation.
Don’t trust your tire
According to the same survey, 34% of respondents trusted the information printed on the sidewall of their tire to inflate them correctly. This could be a costly mistake! The pressure indicated on the sidewall corresponds to the maximum pressure it can hold and not the one recommended by the manufacturer. Too much pressure increases the risk of cracking and even reduces the grip on the road.
Inspect your tires when they are cold
Conversely, to avoid under-inflated tires, remember to let your car cool down before measuring the pressure. A hot gas expands, which is one of the basic principles of physics, and friction with the road heats up the tube. Therefore, you should wait at least three hours after a trip of more than two kilometers before checking your tires. According to Leger, 59% of people don’t know this! Imagine the number of cars that drive on tires that are too soft as a result…
Don’t forget the spare
Yes, it’s pretty simple and it may seem obvious, but it’s one of the easiest things to forget! If you need your spare tire on the road, you’ll be glad you checked it before you left.
Check the tread
We often talk about checking right before we leave, but this tip applies to your entire trip. Especially over long distances, it’s possible for your tread to lose traction due to wear and friction. This not only reduces traction, but also increases the risk of hydroplaning. Don’t ride on thin tread for too long, your safety may be at stake!
Above all… choose the right tire!
Before you even leave, take the time to think about your trip and the possible difficulties your vehicle could encounter. Not all tires are made for off-roading, for example. Planning to go off-road? Maybe you should look into something like the Yokohama Geolandar H/T. If comfort is more important to you, a long-lasting, high-grip tire like the Michelin Crossclimate 2 will do the trick. Enjoy your trip!
