Despite high gas prices, the road trip is still a hugely popular method of vacationing in the US, especially for families. From day trips to extended cross-country adventures to outdoor R&R for camping, RVing or exploring the nearest national park, a road trip is a great way to get out there and explore.
And we’re happy to hear that road tripping is super in right now! Who doesn’t get a rush from planning your route, snacks and road trip playlist? So, you’ve got your road trip essentials all lined up. But what about your tires? Are they ready for the trip?
At Discount Tire, we hold safety to be the highest priority. We want drivers to make sure they’re properly prepped before they get their vacation on. Want road trip tire safety tips? You got it!
ROAD TRIP CHECKLIST FOR YOUR TIRES
Tire safety isn’t an option; it’s a must. And, believe it or not, safety starts before your car even starts rolling.
Checking the health of your tires before you push off on your next adventure can save you a ton of pain and money down the road.
Road trip safety begins with regular maintenance!
Here’s Discount Tire’s very easy road trip car checklist before you hit the road.
#1 Check your tread
At Discount Tire, we recommend regularly checking your tire’s tread depth.
The fact is: your tires won’t perform well or safely without adequate tread depth.
Over time, your tread wears down and becomes less effective, giving you less control, traction and stopping capability. You should replace your tires when the tread is down to 3/32” or when they’re six years or older, whichever comes first.
If you’re the DIY type, it’s easy to check your tire’s tread depth yourself (have you heard of the penny test?). But if you’d prefer the easy and convenient route, feel free to bring your vehicle in for a free tire inspection!
#2 Check your tire pressure
Discount Tire recommends regularly checking and maintaining your tire’s pressure according to your vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Like your tire’s tread, tire pressure is integral to keeping your tires performing as they should. Tire pressure affects:
Road safety
Overall performance
Tread life
Fuel economy
Handling, steering, stability and cornering
Keeping your tires at the correct air pressure is good maintenance, whether you’re on the road for a trip or just commuting around your neighborhood. Check out our instructions on how to check your tire pressure and what PSI your tires should be below.
Keep in mind that the number on your tire’s sidewall reflects the max allowed pressure for that tire and not the recommended pressure for your vehicle. For peak performance, follow your vehicle manufacturer’s recommended PSI.
Did you know Discount Tire offers free tire air pressure checks?
#3 Rotate your tires
We at Discount Tire recommend rotating your tires every 6 – 8,000 miles to ensure even wear.
Tire rotation and balance helps maintain overall performance and extend the life of your tires. This is because changing their positions on your vehicle will keep one particular edge or spot from wearing more than others.
Why is wear bad? Besides needing to replace your tires, irregular wear can cause issues like noise, vibrations and diminished performance (traction, cornering, braking, and accelerating).
Want to learn more tire rotation basics or schedule an appointment! You can count on us!
#4 Check your emergency kit and spare tire
Just like your regular tires, your spare tire (if your vehicle has one), should be maintained and inspected. Spare tires are there for you in an emergency situation, so it won’t do you any good if it’s not in working order.
At Discount Tire, we recommend replacing your spare tire every six years.
Also, note that many vehicle manufacturers don’t always include a spare tire in newer vehicles. In fact, according to Consumer Reports, almost a third of modern vehicles don’t come with a spare tire today! This is to reduce vehicle weight to increase fuel efficiency.
Make sure you know what kind of emergency roadside safety tools your vehicle comes with. Whether you have a spare, a tire inflator kit or run flat tires, it pays to be aware of what equipment your vehicle has and where it's located (and how to use it, of course).
Do you need to buy a spare tire?
It’s also a good idea to keep a first aid kit with roadside emergency equipment handy for those unexpected emergencies.
A good roadside kit should include:
Jumper cables
Basic tools
Warning signs/devices like road flares or reflectors
Flashlight with spare batteries
Bottled water & non-perishable foods
Rags, paper towels or wipes
Blanket
Gas can
Your kit may also include regional specific items like a snow brush/ice scraper, tarps, raincoats, traction aids like sand or non-clumping cat litter (for snow), shovels and so on.
#5 Don’t overload your vehicle
It’s tempting to take everything, including the kitchen sink, with you while you travel but we caution against this.
Overloading your vehicle will tax your tires, reducing their ability to function safely and potentially leading to tire damage and even tire failure. Driving on overloaded tires is exactly like driving on underinflated tires!
Whether you have a SUV or pickup capable of towing a trailer or a fuel-efficient commuter car, overloading can reduce gas mileage and increase safety risks.
Vehicles that are loaded up (with more than just passengers or typical cargo) or are towing require special care regarding their tire pressure. The correct tire pressure for hauling will allow the tires to more easily bear the additional weight.
Overloading and/or underinflation can lead to instability, lower mpg, poor handling and tire damage, potentially causing an accident or leaving you and your passengers stranded.
Learn more about vehicle overloading and underinflation!
Your vehicle’s load capacity and your tire’s load carrying capacity may be different. Your tire’s load index will be detailed on its sidewall. The load index explicitly states the max load it can carry. This number is different from its load range. (We talk about load range vs load index elsewhere).
#6 Check the little things!
Something you may also have forgotten to check: your windshield wipers! Discount Tire recommends changing them every 6-12 months. Don’t get caught in an unexpected downpour with blades that won’t keep your field of vision clear.
Do you think you need a new set? We got you!
And of course, don’t forget to keep your gas tank (or EV battery) full!
With all this tire maintenance talk, we’d also like to point out some tire safety myths, too.
BEST TIRES FOR ROAD TRIPS
What is the best tire for road trips?
(Whether it’s a long Memorial Day weekend trip or a Fourth of July bash across town or just another day in the neighborhood, we have the best deals on tires anywhere, anytime!)
For a well-rounded tire that’ll adapt to differing conditions and stick with you mile after mile, find tires that prioritize long-wearing tread, lengthy treadwear warranties and both dry and wet weather grip. Fuel-efficiency should also be a top concern to make sure you get the most out of your gas tank or EV battery.
Generally, this won’t be any different than your usual touring tire. Specialized tire types like mud, summer or winter tires (unless you’re traveling in cold, snowy regions) may not be the most effective choice for your road trip.
All-season tires perform well nearly year-round outside of winter regions and are probably the tire type you already have on your vehicle. They also tend to come with the longest mileage warranties and tread patterns designed to last mile after mile.
Want our picks? Our favorite road trip tires are:
Michelin Defender LTX M/S (trucks and SUVs)
These have class-leading traction, treadwear and warranties. They come in a wide range of sizes too. That means no matter what type of vehicle you drive, one of these tires may be the perfect fit!
We stock the biggest inventory of the most affordable tires from the best brands in the industry, so rest assured you’ll find the right tire for you.
Want to know how? Use Treadwell, our smart tire buying guide to easily find the best tires for you, your vehicle and your budget!
Ready to get rolling? If you buy and book online, you’ll get a 30% shorter average wait time in-store!
For more information on this and other tire and wheel services, check out our YouTube Channel or reach out to us on X, Facebook and Instagram.