Make sure your carriage is fit for royalty ahead of the Jubilee weekend

Ahead of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee this weekend, TyreSafe is urging drivers to make sure they’ve carried out the necessary checks to ensure their vehicle is fit for royalty. No matter what your plans, whether it’s travelling to see friends and family for a Jubilee themed BBQ or street party, or heading off for a weekend away, preparation is key. So, to avoid a weekend locked in the Tower, drivers should carry out their checks – tyre condition, air pressure and tread depth, well in advance of setting off. For those planning to take advantage of the four-day weekend by going away, unless you have a fleet of cars like her Majesty, we imagine that your car boot will be filled to the brim with all your travel essentials. Although it is important not to overload your vehicle, as this results in more weight being placed on your tyres than they were meant to carry. So, if your tyres are already in poor condition, this additional stress may lead to an increased likelihood of sudden and catastrophic failure when driving. Having the correct air pressure is always vital and particularly so when carrying extra weight, such as luggage, bikes, and additional passengers. It may mean that vehicles need to have their tyres inflated to a higher pressure to stay safe. Details of correct tyre pressures can be found in the vehicle handbook, inside the fuel filler cap or on the driver’s door sill. The essential checks for the Platinum Jubilee: Air pressure: find the tyre size on the sidewall; it will be in this format XXX/XX/RXX, for example, 195/55/ R15. Look up the air pressure for your vehicle either in the handbook, filler cap or on the door sill. Cross reference the size of tyre with the recommended pressure, and bear in mind you will likely have two values displayed: one for a fully loaded vehicle and the other with minimal occupants. Condition: Cracking of the tyre’s sidewall indicates the ageing process has made it lose its suppleness and may be beyond its safe lifespan. It should be checked by a professional if you see this ‘crazing’ effect as you will also need to do if you see any lumps or bulges. If a tyre has a ‘flat spot’ it is likely to be felt by a vibration through the steering wheel when driven, and again needs to be examined by a professional. Tread depth: The minimum tread depth for vehicles under 3.5 tons is 1.6mm (1mm for motorcycles and scooters over 50cc). Ideally it should be checked with an accurate tread depth gauge but if you do not have one, insert a 20p-piece into the central grooves of your tyre and at several points around its circumference. If you can see the border at any point, it might be illegal and should be checked by a professional. Stuart Jackson, TyeSafe Chair, said: “Everyone is excited to go out and celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and to take advantage of the four-day weekend but take a few minutes before you do to ensure your vehicle is in a roadworthy condition. You wouldn’t want the celebrations to end abruptly over something that is so quick and easy to do. All you need to remember is the acronym ACT – air pressure, condition, and tread depth.”