​To keep your family safe and your holiday on track, here are 3 Quick Tyre Checks for a Safe Summer Road Trip you can do right in your driveway.

1. The 20p Tread Depth Test.  ​In the UK, the legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm across the central three-quarters of the tyre. Driving with worn tyres drastically reduces your grip, especially if you hit a sudden summer downpour on the motorway. At Home, take a 20p coin and place it into the main tread grooves of your tyre. If the outer band of the coin is visible, your tyres are likely below the legal limit and need replacing immediately.
2. ​Check the Pressures (While Cold) Did you know that a car packed full of holiday luggage and passengers actually requires higher tyre pressure than your daily solo commute? Driving on under-inflated tyres causes them to overheat. Also, it increases your fuel consumption, and puts you at risk of a dangerous blowout. At Home, look up your car’s recommended tyre pressures. You can usually find this on a sticker inside the driver’s door frame or in your manual. Make sure to check them before you set off while the tyres are still cold. Don’t forget to check the spare tyre in the boot too!
3. ​Inspect for Hidden Damage. Give each tyre a quick visual inspection. Look closely at the sidewalls for any unusual bulges, cuts, or cracks. If you’ve scraped a kerb recently, it’s easy to damage the internal structure of the tyre without realising it. A bulge in the sidewall means the tyre is structurally compromised and could fail at any moment.

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