{"id":3575,"date":"2020-07-13T05:23:00","date_gmt":"2020-07-12T19:23:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/?p=3575"},"modified":"2020-07-07T05:43:16","modified_gmt":"2020-07-06T19:43:16","slug":"with-international-travel-out-of-the-question-its-the-perfect-time-for-an-australian-road-trip-and-tyre-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.driverknowledgetests.com\/resources\/with-international-travel-out-of-the-question-its-the-perfect-time-for-an-australian-road-trip-and-tyre-safety\/","title":{"rendered":"With international travel out of the question, it’s the perfect time for an Australian road trip – and tyre safety"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, warns that the country\u2019s borders are\u00a0likely to remain shut until 2021<\/a>.\u00a0However, even though international travel isn\u2019t an option right now, it doesn\u2019t mean that travel plans are completely out of the question. In fact, taking a road trip within the country can be a great way to get out, explore and travel Australia this year. With that in mind, it\u2019s important to pay special attention to the vehicle you\u2019re going to take –\u00a0more specifically the tyres<\/a>\u00a0–\u00a0as they can play a major role when it comes to staying safe on the road.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The dangers of worn tyres<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before heading out on your Australian road trip, it\u2019s important to ensure that your tyres aren\u2019t already worn. Worn tyres – especially bald ones – can pose a major safety risk while you\u2019re out on the road, as they no longer have the traction that they did when they were newer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worn tyres can also make it more difficult when driving in different conditions,\u00a0especially when water is involved, as doing so can heighten your risk of hydroplaning<\/a>. Additionally, worn tyres can also be more likely to lose their pressure, a factor that can lead to tyre blowouts<\/a>. With that in mind, it\u2019s an absolute necessity to check your tyres for any signs of wear and tear, especially when planning to go on a lengthy road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Checking the tread<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

While you can easily do a visual inspection of your tyre\u2019s tread to see whether or not it\u2019s noticeably worn before you head off on a road trip, there are other ways to do so that can give you a better idea as to where your tread stands. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s important to mention that Australia\u2019s\u00a0minimum legal tyre tread depth<\/a>\u00a0is 1.5mm, as anything less can create a dangerous situation, such as by reducing your grip levels or increasing the distance that it takes your vehicle to stop. Thankfully, your tyre tread depth can easily be checked with built-in indicators on the tyre itself, which are called wear bars or tread wear indicators. In any case, you should never undervalue\u00a0the importance of replacing tyres<\/a>\u00a0when they’re old or worn-out\u00a0– especially when you\u2019re planning a lengthy road trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Newish tyre. The treadwear indicator is in the centre of the image – a small lump in the groove which is 1.5mm high<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The importance of good air pressure<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In addition to checking the tread, checking the tyre\u2019s air pressure is another necessity before you begin your trip – as well as throughout – as the tyre\u2019s air pressure is what distributes the weight of your vehicle evenly. That said, the air pressure of your tyres can play a role in the vehicle\u2019s performance, with overinflation causing grip and handling levels to decrease, which could lead to a dangerous situation on the road by causing unpredictable vehicle behaviour in certain driving situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Low air pressure is a factor\u00a0when it comes to tyre blowouts<\/a>, making it necessary to check periodically in order to have a safe road trip. With each vehicle having its own ideal pressure, you can find what\u2019s right for your own vehicle in the handbook, or ask for a recommendation at your local repair shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If your car will be fully loaded, remember to put extra pressure in your tyres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Always have a backup<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s imperative to always be prepared when planning a road trip<\/a>, and the same can be said when it comes to your vehicle\u2019s tyres. With that in mind, it\u2019s important to always have a spare tyre on hand in the event of an unforeseen blowout or other tyre emergency, especially when you\u2019re going to be driving for long distances without much knowledge of the areas you\u2019ll be visiting. While a spare isn\u2019t always ideal to drive on, it can be a great thing to have in order to get you to the nearest repair shop for a new one.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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No tyre shops near this road, so your spare tyre is invaluable<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While this year hasn\u2019t been ideal for travel, taking a road trip is a great way to take advantage of the isolation and to get out and explore your home country in a different way. However, it\u2019s important to take tyre safety precautions – such as checking the tyre pressure and ensuring the tread isn\u2019t worn down – in order to have both a safe and successful trip.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Tourism Minister, Simon Birmingham, warns that the country\u2019s borders are\u00a0likely to remain shut until 2021.\u00a0However, even though international travel isn\u2019t an option right now, it doesn\u2019t mean that travel plans are completely out of the question. In fact, taking a…<\/span><\/p>\n

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