Heading out on vacation: our tips for preventing flat tires
By Bardahl • The 6/6/2024 • 5 min reading
It cannot be emphasized enough: tires are the only contact points between your car and the road! That’s why it’s important to take care of them. This applies year-round, but also before every vacation departure by car.
The 3 elements to check to avoid a flat tire:
When talking about tires, three elements should come to mind: pressure, wear, and visual condition.
Pressure
Each vehicle has a recommended tire pressure set by the manufacturer. This varies depending on the load on board. You can find this information in various locations:
- In the owner’s manual
- Or on a sticker placed on the inside of the driver’s side door pillar
- Or on a sticker located inside the fuel/charging door.
This pressure should be checked at least once a month and before your departure on vacation. The check and adjustment should always be done when the tires are cold, on a flat surface. The manufacturer also recommends a higher pressure if the vehicle is loaded.
Wear
A heavily worn tire is more likely to burst. Thanks to the wear indicators visible in the grooves, it is easy to see if a tire is in good condition or not. If the tread is close to the wear indicator, don't take unnecessary risks: replace the tires!
Remember, the minimum tread depth for a tire is 1.6 mm. Tire experts even recommend replacement when the depth reaches 2 mm.
It's important that the wear is uniform. Tires that are heavily worn in the center indicate that they are often over-inflated. If they are more worn on the sides, it means that the tires are often under-inflated. In the case of abnormal wear, a wheel alignment is recommended.
The overall visual condition
The tread is not the only part of the tire to check. Also inspect the sidewalls to ensure there are no cuts or bulges. These damages can be caused by potholes or an overly optimistic crossing of a curb, for example.
Avoiding a flat tire: our 3 bonus tips
Be in top shape
Taking the vacation road requires being in good shape! Indeed, nothing beats attentiveness, with your eyes focused ahead, to avoid potholes or other obstacles that could damage your tires.
Run-flat tires
On the market, there are tires known as "run-flat" tires. These tires are capable of continuing to roll safely for a distance of up to 80 km (on average) at speeds not exceeding 80 km/h (on average).
Spare wheel and puncture repair kit
If spare wheels are becoming increasingly rare on modern cars, some vehicles are still equipped with them. The spare wheel also deserves your attention! Therefore, check its pressure at least once a month and before heading on vacation.
In any case, also bring with you an essential item: the puncture repair kit! Bardahl's Puncture Repair quickly repairs and inflates your tire without tools and without removing it*. This equipment allows you to get back on the road immediately but temporarily. Indeed, it will only help you reach the nearest garage to replace your tire. An essential item to keep your mind truly at ease on your way to your relaxation destination!
https://bardahl.fr/fr-fr/nos-produits/automobile/produits-d-atelier/produits-specifiques/repare-crevaison
*Not suitable for torn tires and punctures larger than 5 mm or on the sidewalls.