How To Look After Your Car Tyres In The Summer

Picture the scene; it’s a blissful summer’s day where the glorious golden sun bathes you in it’s golden light and the sea breeze cascades mischievously through your hair. It’s the holiday that you have been dreaming of all summer, a chance to escape from normality and enter a realm of endless possibilities. You plan a road trip, loved ones by your side, as you drive on the open road and feel the wind on your face. Vibrant laughter ensues and the smell of honeysuckle intermingles with the scent of cars racing down the motorway. It should have been the perfect getaway, the holiday of your dreams, except despite your meticulous planning, there was one little detail that you forgot. Oh no, the car tyres are bust. What on earth are you going to do when you are stuck in the middle of nowhere?

You should have checked your car tyres before you left, but it didn’t occur to you that a road trip would have such an impact on your car tyres. One bumpy road later and your car tyres have deflated, not helped by the sweltering hot summer’s day, as you call out for maintenance to come and fix your car, tired children grumbling irritably in the back. And who can blame them, we spend so much time travelling, that often we forget about checking our car tyres daily and ensuring that our car is in ship shape condition.

And don’t even get me started on not having car insurance!

In the summer, many families travel further in their car than they usually would. Perhaps you are planning a trip to the continent via a cross-channel ferry or aim to take a holiday in a rural idyll somewhere in the UK? Either way, your car tyres will probably come under pressure from hot roads, stony tracks and from the sheer number of extra miles you will drive. In addition, your car may be loaded up more than usual which will also put your car tyres under greater stress. What do you need to know before setting off? Tyre care is often neglected and we pay more attention to the interior of the car, instead of on the real things that matter – like tyres! If your tyres are not right you end up spending extra money of the maintenance of car and your vehicle tends to consume more fuel! From stressing the importance of getting the right car tyres to checking your tyres daily to prevent accidents, here are some key tips to look after your car tyres this summer.

According to research conducted by ‘A Rubber Manufacturers Association’, their report showed that only 1 in 10 drivers check their car tyres daily, making for alarming reading given how many accidents there are on the road. And while you might not think that checking your tyres daily is necessary, the fact of the matter is that being more proactive about ensuring your tyres are in prime condition, can enable you to not only save money all year round, but also increase safety on the road. It is especially important to check your tyres during the summer, as the pressure of the tyre changes by the weather condition and in summers the tyre pressure automatically decrease. After all, for every 10-degree increase in temperature, the pressure of the tyres changes to approximately 1 or 2 pounds per square inch, so be proactive about car tyre safety in the summer.

While the valves are not technically part of the car tyre, did you know that if your tyre valves are not properly fitted that it could lead to leakage of air which in turn could puncture your car tyres? So while you are checking your car tyres daily, you should also check the tyre valves, by ensuring that all valves are properly fitted and all the valves caps are properly covered. And in case you are wondering as to where the valves are situated, Tire valve stems are the valves located in a vehicle’s wheel where the tires are inflated from. They contain a spring loaded valve core that seals itself using the air pressure inside of the tire.

Even when you think you have got it all figured out, your tyre, despite your daily checks can still deflate, so it is always important to keep a spare tyre handy just in case. Not only is important to keep a spare tyre nearby in case of emergency, but you should also be proactive about ensuring that your spare tyre is in prime condition, because it can save you a lot of money in the long run. And who doesn’t like cutting down on car costs?

Speaking of keeping your car tyres safe in the summer, it is always important to get the right tyres for your car, as family safety is so integral when choosing which car tyres you should purchase. Read on below to find out more…

One of the most popular car brands in the UK today, most Hyundai models come with a tyre pressure sensor that comes on when your tyres are under-inflated. Although this can give false readings from time-to-time, it is best not ignored before a big family trip in your car. Like other car makers, Hyundai tends to partner with certain tyre manufacturers for its vehicles. Most in the UK were originally sold with Hankook, Bridgestone or Michelin tyres fitted. The Accent, for instance, first came with a set of Michelin Energy tyres while the i30 was fitted with either Hankook K415 or S400s. For getting Hyundai-compatible tyres you can check the best prices from Point S.  No matter if your vehicle is old or brand new – family safety is the most important thing and having the right tyre dealers can help you stay safe when you are traveling with kids.

Another car specialist is Kia, a South Korean car brand which has made great progress in the family car market in the UK in recent decades. Like Hyundai, Kia originally sold new models with certain tyres only. For instance, the Kia Picanto was produced with either Hankook K702 tyres or Michelin Energy tyres for UK-based car dealerships. Whether you drive a Cee’d, a Cerato, an Optima or a Sportage, it is often advisable to purchase a like-for-like tyre, especially if you are replacing just one. However, there are plenty of other options if your first choice of tyre brand doesn’t happen to be available.

Hyundai and KIA are just simple examples to stress upon the need to always care for your tyres, whether that be in the summer or all year round. If you have any other tyre care or car care tips – please share in comments below.

*Disclaimer

Collaborative post but all thoughts are my own and not affected by monetary compensation.