Setting off on your holiday? Check your tyre pressures first!

Whether you’re heading off on a big summer getaway, a Bank Holiday road trip, or an annual adventure to visit family, planning a journey by car always comes with a long list of things to remember.

From packing bags and sorting pet arrangements to making sure the playlist is just right, there’s always so much to do. But there’s one essential step you should never overlook: checking your tyres.

Why check your tyres before a holiday drive?

With unpredictable UK weather in recent years bringing everything from sudden heatwaves to heavy rain, and more people choosing to embark on summer staycations, it’s more important than ever to ensure your tyres are in good condition before you hit the road.

Tyres that aren’t correctly inflated can seriously compromise your car’s safety, increasing your stopping distances, reducing handling performance, and even costing you more in fuel.

When surveyed, more than a fifth (21%) of those who take long journeys and have broken down on the motorway think their breakdown could have been avoided if they had conducted proper tyre checks before setting off. Whether it’s uneven wear or a high-speed blowout, you don’t want to be dealing with these scenarios when you’ve got a car full of family members, or you’re navigating an unfamiliar holiday destination. So, how can you avoid it?

The cost of ignoring tyre checks

Prioritising tyre checks is, most importantly, about ensuring the safety of you, your family, and other road users.

• Under-inflated tyres have a direct impact on how quickly your vehicle can come to a full stop when braking, often resulting in significantly longer stopping distances.
• Over-inflated tyres, on the other hand, dramatically increase the risk of high-speed tyre blow-outs.

But the financial impact of ignoring tyre checks is just as significant. Under-inflated tyres can reduce fuel efficiency; in fact, it’s estimated that motorists collectively waste over £1 billion annually on extra fuel due to poor tyre maintenance. Poorly-maintained tyres also wear faster, which means replacing them sooner, adding another unnecessary expense. In short, a few minutes with a tyre gauge could save you a considerable amount of money, and keep you safer on the road.

Sadly, however, many drivers still aren’t checking their tyres enough. A 2024 survey found that more than half (55%) of UK drivers do not always check their tyre tread before a long journey - with one in ten (9%) saying they don’t have time to check.

Even with Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS) now fitted as standard to newer vehicles, manual checks are still essential. While TPMS can alert you to a significant drop in pressure, it won’t ensure your tyres are at their optimal level for load, fuel efficiency, and longevity - and may flag issues too late for you to take any preventative measures.

How do you know if your tyre pressure is an issue?

You’ll usually find your car’s tyre pressure advice in its handbook, on a sticker inside the fuel cap, or on the driver’s door frame. These will list two sets of figures:

• One for everyday driving (unladen).
• And one for when your vehicle is carrying a heavy load. 

You can also use Kwik Fit’s tyre pressure search tool to find the correct figures if you’re struggling to source the correct information.

It’s best to check and adjust your tyre pressures when the tyres are cold, such as first thing in the morning. Use a reliable pressure gauge, either at home or at your local petrol station, and top up or release air until each tyre matches the recommended amounts.

While you’re checking your tyre pressure, this is also a great opportunity to inspect their overall condition - including tread depth and any damage to the sidewalls. Use the 20p coin test to check tread depth is above the legal minimum, and look for any cuts, bulges, or embedded objects, as these could lead to a puncture or blowout if left unaddressed. 

If you’re unsure or don’t have the right equipment, book a free tyre check at your nearest Kwik Fit centre, where our experts can assess your pressures, tread, and overall tyre condition before advising on any action you may need to take.

Got a packed boot? Don't forget to adjust for heavy loads

Loading up your car for a holiday usually means a boot that’s jam-packed full of bags, suitcases, equipment, or even pets. Adjusting tyre pressure for this extra weight is vital. 

Luggage, bikes, camping equipment, and passengers can easily add half a tonne or more to your vehicle’s weight, which changes the way your tyres behave. Why? Because the rubber compounds that tyres are made from are slightly flexible, which means the tyres expand and – instead of being correctly inflated – they now start behaving as if they’re under-inflated. 

By following your vehicle manufacturer’s "laden" tyre pressure settings, you can counteract these effects and ensure your car remains stable, responsive, and fuel-efficient during your journey.

Stay on top of your tyre maintenance all year round

It’s worth remembering that tyre pressure maintenance isn’t just a summer task, or one that you should only prioritise before you set off on your big annual road trip. Sure, seasonal changes in temperature can cause fluctuations in tyre pressure, but ensuring that your tyres are in good condition is important no matter what the weather’s doing.

This is particularly true for electric and hybrid vehicles, which tend to be heavier than petrol or diesel cars, and therefore require different tyres.

• The extra weight means they can be more sensitive to pressure changes, and incorrect inflation can have a bigger impact on efficiency, braking performance, and tyre wear.
• They also typically have stronger sidewalls than regular car tyres, partly to help them cope with the increased weight of the vehicle - but this doesn’t mean they’re invincible. It’s still important to manually inspect them regularly to ensure the safety of you and your passengers.

Ensure stress-free travel with Kwik Fit

By making tyre checks part of your holiday preparation, you’re helping to keep yourself, your passengers, and other road users safe. You’ll also save money, improve fuel efficiency, and extend the life of your tyres. It’s a win-win.

So, before you load up the car and set off on your next adventure, take a few minutes to ensure that your tyres are in the best condition possible. For complete peace of mind, or if you’re not sure whether your tyres need some TLC, book a free tyre check at your nearest Kwik Fit centre today.