Things to Consider When Planning a Road Trip

Are you planning to hit the road this summer? Whether you’re thinking of going to the Blue Mountains, Wollemi, or Yengo National Parks, you’ve come to the right place. We have created a basic road trip guide to make sure you’re prepared, have packed the essentials, and have a successful trip.

Road trips are very exciting; they are a break from our daily routine and give us the opportunity to visit our family and friends who live in different parts of the country. Whatever the reason for your trip, it’s important that you’re prepared for it.

First things first, make sure your car is ready to go. Car maintenance is a crucial road trip success factor that you shouldn’t overlook.

Get your car ready for the road

At Tyrepower Kogarah, we know how important it is to get your car ready for a road trip, no matter if it’s short or long. We recommend doing a few simple checks on your car. A great place to start is by checking your engine oil, coolant, and brake fluids, as well as your tyres for suitable tread depth.

When talking about car maintenance, there are vital factors to consider, including the following:

Check your tyre pressures

To get the most out of your tyres and to keep them wearing evenly, check your tyre pressures at least once a month. If your car is fitted with a spare tyre, don’t forget to check its air pressure too.

If you notice any of your tyres are losing air quite quickly compared to the others, it’s a good idea to check for any punctures or sharp objects that may be stuck in the tread.

If one of your tyres is flat and you don’t know the cause of the leak, come to Tyrepower Kogarah so we can assess the issue and decide whether it’s a repairable puncture or if your tyre needs to be replaced. New tyres can then be fitted to your car by our skilled team, who will do so with extreme care and efficiency.

Check your vehicle’s fluids

Although it may be difficult to predict engine and mechanical issues, having leaks, odd noises, wheel bearings, and fluid levels checked can help you identify potential problems before they worsen. Make sure you check the motor oil, coolant, wiper fluid, brake, power steering, and clutch fluids. For information specific to the make and model of your vehicle, you can refer to the owner’s manual.

If you've noticed that you've had to top off any of these fluids more frequently than usual, now is the time to get in touch with a local mechanic to set up a qualified inspection.

Look for any damage on your tyres

Now is the time to check the treads and sidewalls of your tyres for uneven wear, tears, rips, or cracks. While some tyres have reinforced sidewalls to withstand off-road abuse, tyres are generally vulnerable to sidewall damage.

A quick check from a trained professional can reveal issues that, as a driver, you might not know about your own car. Request a free tyre safety check with Kogarah Tyrepower today!

Be on top of any electrical issues

Check all of your exterior lights, including your headlights, indicators, park and brake lights, and reverse lights, before you get on the road.

Check your car battery

Typically, a car battery lasts between 3 and 5 years. If you have a multimeter, you can easily check your battery and charging circuit. However, if you suspect you need a battery replacement, you can contact your local mechanic to have a trusted professional assess the condition of your car battery before you head off on your getaway.

Basic essentials for survival

If you're planning a trip to a more remote location, think about the worst-case scenario and pack some essentials.

• Plenty of water and food. If you are travelling to an isolated location or for long hours, you might want to bring 2 to 6 litres of water per person. Additionally, pack twice as much food as you anticipate you'll require for the duration of your journey.
• Sanitary supplies and personal care items. You could pack things like soap, antibacterial wipes or gel, toilet paper, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Other personal essential items may include medications or vitamins, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
• Extra clothes. This may include a waterproof jacket, protective headgear, and a blanket in case of an emergency.
• Basic tableware and cooking tools. Tongs, bowls, plates, cutlery, and frying pans are some examples of this.

Make sure you’re prepared with our basic guide for your road trip. Being ready means being able to deal with a variety of circumstances without having them interfere with your travel plans.

Get your vehicle road trip ready with Kogarah Tyrepower

At Tyrepower Kogarah, we specialise in more than just tyres. If you have any questions about tyres, wheel alignment, suspension and brake components inspections, or log book servicing, call us on (02) 9587 3366 or stop by our store located at 7 Lindsay Street, Rockdale and talk to one of our knowledgeable staff members. Alternatively, book our services online.

Make sure your car is ready to go for your upcoming getaway.

To state the obvious, tyre punctures are not a fun experience; they are simply an inconvenience. Punctures are the most common form of tyre damage and are usually caused by small, sharp objects, such as nails, glass, or screws.

If you’re in the Rockdale or St. George area, Tyrepower Kogarah is here to help you. Our friendly team will be happy to assist you with your tyre needs. In the case of a tyre puncture, bring your tyre to our store for a repair service. We can assess the condition of your damaged tyre to determine if a repair is safe to do.

Warning signs of a tyre puncture

Typically, you’ll notice you've got a flat tyre when your dashboard’s tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) light is on. However, there are some other warning signs you should keep an eye out for. These include:

• One of your tyres looks visually different from the others. For example, it has a saggy sidewall.
• Your wheels are out of balance or you feel your car is unsteadily moving from side to side.
• Your car suddenly changes direction from left to right.
• You feel your vehicle steer from left to right.
• You find it hard to turn your steering wheel.

How do tyre punctures happen?

There are different reasons why a tyre puncture may happen. The most common ones are the following:

• Screws/Bolts/Nails. They can be found anywhere on the road and for whatever reason.
• Construction waste. This includes metal sheets, steel components, and pieces of wood.
• Sharp rocks. You might come across sharp rocks when driving so it’s important to check your tyres after travelling on gravel roads.

Can punctures be repaired?

There are two factors that will determine if a tyre puncture can be repaired: the size of the puncture and its location on the tyre.

Generally, a tyre puncture can be repaired when:

• It occurs between the tyre’s shoulders, which are the central part of the tread area.
• It is 6 mm or less in diameter.

On the other hand, there are times when a puncture can’t be fixed. For example:

• The puncture occurs on the tyre sidewall, which is important to the tyre’s structure and performance.
• The tyre has been driven on whilst flat, which results in a weaker, permanently damaged tyre that is prone to blowouts and catastrophic damage.

How to prevent a tyre puncture?

There’s no guaranteed way that a puncture can be prevented, but there are a few things you can still do to reduce the odds. For example:

• Visually check your tyres, when cleaning or inspecting your car
• Keep correct tyre pressures
• Avoid potholes, and road debris without swerving dangerously
• Avoid bumping or scraping against the kerb while parking

Tyre repair service at Tyrepower Kogarah

If you’re not familiar with the tools required, changing a flat tyre by yourself might not be the safest option. In the event of a tyre puncture or any potential issue with your car, the best thing to do is to call for road assistance to make sure you and your passengers are safe.

Contact Tyrepower Kogarah who can assist you with our puncture repair service. We are located 14 kilometres southwest of Sydney's centre, serving Kogarah as well as St George and Rockdale areas.

In instances where we are unable to safely repair your damaged tyre, we can advise you on a suitable replacement tyre. We stock a huge range of tyres from all the leading brands, including Pirelli, Bridgestone, Michelin, and Continental.

Call us on (02) 9587 3366, book our tyre repair service online or come to our store located at 7 Lindsay Street, Rockdale. Our friendly staff will be happy to help you with all your vehicle needs.