Going on a road trip is an exhilarating experience. There is nothing quite like the open road and the freedom of driving on it. Whether you are going on a trip by yourself or with a group of people, you should always make sure your car is ready to go. 

Having your car break down during your road trip can seem like an inevitability, but it does not have to be! If you check these five things before you leave, you can ensure that your vehicle will be able to handle whatever comes its way.

Finding A Good Tire Shop

The first thing on your checklist should be finding a good tire shop. You want a well-equipped shop with a good reputation for helping people with their car care needs. Most importantly, you want to find someone you can trust to take care of your car and the work they will do on it. When looking for a tire shop near me, I always look online to see what kind of services they provide.

What kind of tires do you have? 

Your local tire guy should be able to work with the brand of tires you have installed on your car if there is an issue with them. If not, he should offer to get them replaced with new ones to have all four wheels balanced at once during installation. 

It will ensure that no time is wasted during this process when taking care of all four wheels at one time. If otherwise, only one wheel or two wheels would do much more damage than good in the long run for any vehicle owner!

Tires’ Age Is Critical Than Covered Mileage

Most car owners know how important it is to check the tire pressure when a tire is in good condition. When you drive on different roads and terrain, this is not even close to all you need to look for.

The first thing you need to know about tires is their age because that can have a big effect. The average lifespan of a conventional car tire is 4000-6000 miles. However, the actual mileage will vary greatly depending on the road conditions and driving style. If you want your tires to last longer, opt for more puncture-resistant tires or ones with better performance.

Using A Reliable Brand

It is also important to note that reliable brands tend to be more likely to work. Hence, you can go for ATV products from a reputable vendor as you are more likely to have access to replacement parts. 

On top of that, they generally come with longer warranties and are easier to use. However, while this may be true, it is still important to research before purchasing.

Never Drive With Underinflated Tires

Never drive with underinflated tires. Underinflated tires are a safety hazard and can even cause your car to break down. The signs are typically subtle: a slight vibration or the steering wheel pulling in one direction. 

The problem is that air pressure in tires naturally decreases over time as the tire heats up and cools down. It means that you are constantly losing air pressure in your tires that need to get replaced.

Underinflated tires affect fuel efficiency because of increased rolling resistance. These can force your car to work harder against the road surface, burning more gas than it would have if the tire remained in proper condition.

The most dangerous issue with underinflated tires is that they can create a blowout on the road. A blowout happens when there is too much stress on a single point (due to a lack of support from low air pressure). It causes the tire to tear apart and create an explosion of rubber on the highway at high speeds (often leading to a crash).

All The Four Tires Need Attention And Care

Do not forget that all the four tires need attention and care equally, so do not neglect any of them even if it seems okay.

Checking the tires regularly will help you maintain them. If you do not have time for tire maintenance, know how to check their condition before your trip. Use a pressure gauge to measure the air pressure inside each tire and ensure it complies with the recommended standards. 

Also, check for any wear and tear or cracks in the sidewalls that may cause a blowout. Other than this, you need to check or replace worn-out tires every six years or 60k miles.

Conclusion

It is good practice to perform tire maintenance on your vehicle every month during the fall, winter, and spring seasons. If you are planning a road trip, it is wise to check out your car tires before heading out on the highway. Ensure they are inflated and have enough tread wear to grip the road effectively.

If you do not already have a roadside car kit in place, now is a great time to get one yourself. And do be careful not to overload your vehicle with too much weight when packing for a road trip!

That concludes our tips on car maintenance before hitting the highway this summer!