Don’t Let Tire Trouble Ruin Your Road Trip

A road trip should be about freedom, not frustration. Whether you’re heading to the Cape, the White Mountains, or somewhere even farther off, your tires are the one part of your car that always touches the road. They take the heat, the weight, and the wear, and if they fail, your trip can end before it even begins.

Before you load up the car and pull out of the driveway, take the time to ensure your tires are ready. Here’s a comprehensive tire checklist to help you travel safely, comfortably, and without any costly surprises.

1. Check Tire Tread Depth

Tires rely on tread to maintain grip, especially during rainstorms when hydroplaning is a risk. If your tread is too shallow, you’re compromising braking distance, traction, and handling. The legal minimum in Massachusetts is 2/32 of an inch, but for road trips, that’s cutting it too close.

Quick check: Insert a penny into the tread with Lincoln’s head facing down. If you can see the top of his head, your tread is too worn. Consider replacing the tire before your trip.

2. Inspect for Damage

Visually inspect all four tires (and the spare) for cracks, bulges, embedded objects, or sidewall damage. Even small punctures can worsen over long distances or at highway speeds. A blowout on the highway is not just inconvenient, it’s dangerous.

If you see anything out of the ordinary, have a professional at Raymond’s Tire Shop take a closer look. Minor damage may be repairable, but some cases call for immediate replacement.

3. Check and Adjust Tire Pressure

Tire pressure affects fuel efficiency, ride quality, and overall safety. Underinflated tires generate more heat, wear out faster, and increase your risk of a blowout. Overinflated tires reduce traction and wear unevenly.

Use a reliable tire pressure gauge to check each tire (including the spare), and adjust them according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, which are usually listed on a sticker inside the driver’s side door or in the owner’s manual. Be sure to check pressure when the tires are cold, ideally before driving.

4. Don’t Forget the Spare

Many drivers forget to inspect their spare tire until it’s needed, and by then, it may be flat or dry-rotted. Before your trip, make sure your spare is inflated to the correct pressure and is free from damage. Also, confirm that your jack and lug wrench are present and in working order.

If your vehicle uses a space-saver spare, know its limitations. These tires are not meant for long-distance travel or high speeds, and should only be used to get you to a service shop.

5. Consider a Tire Rotation

If you haven’t rotated your tires in the last 5,000 to 7,000 miles, it’s a good idea to have it done before a road trip. Tire rotation helps promote even tread wear and extends the life of your tires. It can also alert technicians to alignment issues or other problems that may become more serious on a long drive.

Raymond’s Tire Shop offers quick and professional tire rotation services to keep your vehicle road-ready.

6. Know the Age of Your Tires

Tires don’t just wear out; they age. Rubber degrades over time, even if tread depth looks acceptable. Most manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six to ten years, regardless of wear. The sidewall of the tire includes a four-digit DOT code that shows the week and year the tire was manufactured.

If your tires are more than six years old, have them inspected. Long trips and summer heat can accelerate degradation in older rubber.

7. Pack for Emergencies

Even with perfect preparation, unexpected issues can arise. Be sure your vehicle is equipped with:

• A working tire inflator or portable air compressor
  
• A tire repair kit or can of sealant
  
• Jumper cables
  
• Flashlight with extra batteries
  
• Gloves and a poncho for roadside repairs
  
• Emergency triangles or flares
  
  

These simple tools can turn a headache into a short delay instead of a trip-ending problem.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Leave It to Chance

A road trip should be about the journey, not worrying about your tires. At Raymond’s Tire Shop, we’ve been helping Boston drivers prepare for safe travel for years. Our team can inspect, rotate, repair, or replace your tires so that you can drive with confidence, whether it’s across town or across the country.

Stop by before you hit the road and let us help make your trip a smooth one.