Check your tyres before the May bank holiday trip

With the first May Bank Holiday weekend approaching on Monday now is a good time to check your tyres are safe and legal so you don't have a Bank Holiday problem if you are going on a long trip.

We all know we should check our tyres before we set off on a trip but who normally bothers? Longer journeys than normal (with a fully loaded car) put greater strain on your tyres than a normal local potter. Follow these 4 easy steps to save you problems on the road, remember you still have time to get your tyres replaced or punctures repaired before you set off.

1) Check the tyre tread - worn tyre tread reduces your tyres grip so they will not give you the best possible handling. The UK law states that you need at least 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre around the total tyre. The best way to check your tread depth (if you don't have a tread depth gauge) is with a 20p coin. Put the 20p coin into the tyre tread on the tyres. Around the outside of the 20p coin is a band, if this sits above the tread on the tyre then the tyres need to be changed, don't forget that this applies to all the tread in the central three quarters around the whole tyre, if only one spot on the tyre is to low then the tyre needs to be replaced.

2) Check the tyre pressures, how many of use leave this to the car service? Tyres gradually lose pressure so they should be checked regularly, under pressure tyres will wear prematurely on the outer edges and put more strain on the engine and thus increase fuel consumption. Over inflated tyres will wear prematurely in the middle of the tyre and are prone to a blow out. A cheap tyre pressure gauge can be brought from any auto parts store or you can use the gauges at your local petrol station.

3) Look at your tyres for signs of damage. Look at the side walls for bulges and cuts; check the tread to see if you have nails or screws in the tread, these could be causing a slow leak that could lead to a blowout at speed. Best to get them repaired before the tyre is damaged beyond repair, repairs cannot be made to the side walls of tyres.

4) At finally, do you have a spare wheel? Do you know where it is? Have you ever checked it? Most people (if they have one) forget to check there spare wheel, better to check that it has air in it before you need it than finding out at the side of the road that it is flat. If your spare wheel is situated in a cradle under the car check that the cradle will come down, being exposed to the element some times causes the winding mechanism to seize up, not an easy fix on the side of the road with all your tools and penetrating fluid at home.

So remember, you still have time to fix any puncture or replace any tyre that is illegal, and it is a lot easier than by the side of the road or in a foreign country. We can supply and fit your tyres when and where you want, its just 1 call way. So don't waste time going to a tyre depot, just call Hometyre on 0800 783 93 10 or 0333 444 5454.