There’s something pretty special about the anticipation of a holiday road trip… vehicle loaded up with surf boards, camping kit, kids and maybe even a pet or two along for the ride! And, whether you’ll be towing a caravan, boat or jet ski or just have the vehicle packed to the hilt, now’s a great time to get prepared with tyres checked, pumped and ready for a super awesome road trip! Here are just a few tips to help ensure your tyres are in perfect condition to get your trip smoothly underway…
Check the tyres for damage
Inspect each tyre for any obvious signs of damage or embedded objects such as nails, stones or other sharp objects. Doing this before you set off will allow you to get any punctures (or other damage) fixed and if necessary, a new tyre fitted, without impacting your holiday time. A quick visual check of your tyres will also give you the chance to take stock of how your tread is tracking.
Tread carefully
Your tyres are the only thing between your vehicle and the road – so having a good amount of tread on them is vital for safety reasons (amongst others). While it is a legal requirement in Australia to have at least 1.6mm of tread on your tyres, it is recommended that you have at least 3mm. You can usually see if the tread is beginning to wear in patches or become smooth. The tread indicators (small rubber blocks across your tyres) are a vital key to how your tread is wearing: If they are level with the rest of the tyre (or coming close), your tyres will need to be replaced. Our network of friendly Maxxis dealers have the specialised equipment to help you make important decisions about your tread’s health, and can advise when new tyres are needed as well as the best replacement tyre options for your vehicle.
Let’s talk tyre pressures
Ensuring the pressure on your tyres are correct is vital for the performance of your vehicle and its fuel efficiency as well as your safety on the road. If you’re unsure of the correct pressure for your tyres, this information can easily be found on the tyre placard located on the inside of the driver’s door or in your vehicle owner’s manual. Also remember that tyre pressure checks should be done while the tyres are still cool, at the start or before setting off on a road trip. If you’re towing a load (including a caravan, trailer or boat) or your vehicle is heavily laden with people, pets and luggage, you may need to increase the pressure in your tyres to accommodate the additional load. While you’re doing the tyre pressure checks, don’t forget to check the spare tyre so that it’s ready should you need it in an emergency.
Fit the right tyres
Whether you’re planning to stay on the bitumen or go off-road at any time during your road trip, it’s important to know that your tyres are right for your vehicle and up to the task. Maxxis has a great range of quality, high-performing tyres for both on and off-road travel. If you haven’t already, now’s a great time to check out the brand new RAZR AT-S all-terrain tyre, which offers great versatility for both around town and holiday road trip adventures.
Maxxis dealers are located to help you wherever you are!
Your local Maxxis dealer is here to help and always happy to offer advice or assistance when it comes to your tyres and making sure they go the distance! Whether you need replacement tyres fitted, require balancing, rotating, or fixing a puncture, you can use our handy Maxxis dealer locator to find the dealer closest to you!
