Article
Heading out on a summer holiday with a fully loaded car? Check your tire pressure before you go
The car is packed, the route is planned and the summer holiday is about to begin. But before heading out on a long drive with passengers, luggage and summer gear on board, it is worth taking a moment for one quick safety check that is easy to overlook: tire pressure.
When a car is heavily loaded, the tires need to carry more weight than usual. Because tires are the car’s only contact with the road and play a crucial role in safety, tire pressure should be adjusted before a long summer drive to handle the extra load. If the tire pressure is too low, the braking distance increases and steering becomes more difficult, particularly during evasive maneuvers.
The recommended tire pressure for both normal and heavily loaded driving can usually be found on a sticker on the driver’s side door frame or . For a heavily loaded car, additional pressure is often needed only in the rear tires, and this is typically indicated on the sticker. If no recommendation is available, increase the pressure in the rear axle tires by 0.2 bar.
Tire pressure can be checked for free at most car service shops, and many fuel stations also have pressure gauges available. The best time to check tire pressure is at the start of the journey, when the tires are still cold, as pressure rises when tires heat up during driving.
Remember to check the condition of your summer tires regularly even throughout the season.
Before you set off, remember also to:
- Check tire tread depth. Replace tires before they are too worn; hydroplaning risk increases significantly below four millimeters.
- Check engine oil, brake fluid, coolant and windshield washer fluid.
- Plan EV charging stops in advance and consider the car’s range.
- Check that headlights, taillights, turn signals and brake lights work.
- Keep the windshield clean and make sure wipers are in good condition.
