Staying safe on long distance drives.
Kogarah Tyrepower have the knowledge and experience to prepare your tyres for any long trips around this beautiful country. It's important to check your vehicle and your tyres before taking on any long haul driving.
What defines long distance driving? Well, anything over 2-3 hours or 300kms can be classified as a long distance drive and in this time a lot can happen to both driver and vehicle.
If you own a car, you are more than likely to take on at least one long distance drive a year. Whether it’s for work or play, making a few simple checks before you leave is vital to a safe trip.
Some top tips on long distance driving.
- Check tyre condition
- Plan your trip (including fuel stops, distances, weather, entertainment)
- Maintain a good service history with your car
- Check your vehicle's fluids regularly during the trip
- Download maps and directions in case no reception is available
- Rest before you leave
Before any drive, it's important to run a few checks on your car
This usually involves a simple walk around the vehicle for any obvious signs of damage, wear or stand-out issues. Servicing your vehicle regularly will ensure that it is up for the challenge of a long distance trip, but you might want to have your mechanic run a quick check before you leave just to be sure.
Plan Your Trip in Advance
Planning your trip is essential for rest, fuel, accommodation and sightseeing. Depending on your vehicle's capabilities, it means either sticking to main roads or off the beaten track. Make sure you download any important maps or information before you head off in case of a lack of mobile phone coverage.
When researching your trip and destination, take into account any possible road condition changes including river crossings, 4WD only tracks, major road works and detours. Only drive to the conditions but also to your vehicle's strong points.
All Terrain Tyres
Your tyres are extremely important when it comes to long distance driving. All-Terrain tyres are the perfect balance of on and off road driving capabilities for larger vehicles including 4WDs and SUV’s on the larger side.
Top Tyre Tip
If it's an ultra long-haul trip around Australia, Mud-Terrain tyres may not be the right choice due to their aggressive tread patterns. Again, plan your trip and your equipment accordingly.
Touring Tyres
Touring tyres can come in many different forms and patterns, from Highway Terrain tyres to All Season and Winter tyres. It really depends on the season and climate in which you are out on a long distance drive.
Touring tyres are designed to keep road noise to a minimum. This is ideal when it comes to really long highway use. With noise reduction and a lower rolling resistance comes the added benefit of saving money at the pump! That’s right, touring tyres tend to be far better when it comes to fuel consumption.
Make sure you are well rested
Rest up the day before you plan to begin your trip by getting a good night's sleep. Feeling fresh and revitalised is important as it helps you to be focused while driving. Limit your time in the car to no more than 8-10 hours a day with multiple rest stops. Breaking your trip up by visiting landmarks and sightseeing will help create a safer experience on the road.
Budget for the Unknown
When taking on a long distance trip, for instance a 10 month drive around Australia, always budget for the potential risk of a breakdown. Join up to a Australia wide roadside service and have enough in the kitty for the unknown like a puncture repair, mechanical breakdown, or other types of vehicle damage encountered along the way. Checking that your spare tyre is also in good condition and inflated is also essential.
Kogarah Tyrepower is well known for the best range of Pirelli tyres and other top brands like Michelin, Toyo, Dunlop, Cooper and Maxxis. For the best knowledge and advice for your next long-distance road trip call today on (08) 9587 3366 or drop into our showroom at 7 Lindsay Street, Rockdale.
