Staycation travel tips: Navigating Cambridge and beyond with the right car tyres
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With its mediaeval city centre, Cambridge is not a motorist's friend. Despite this, the city is a big favourite among tourists.
It's not just overseas visitors who flock to Cambridge, either, because there are plenty of people who choose it for a staycation, often bringing their cars with them.
Of course, staycations can be great in any part of the country from Cumbernauld to Cambridgeshire but they'll only remain so if you have your car properly prepared for the holiday. In many cases, this means checking your tyres before you set off.
What should you be looking for whether you choose to holiday in Saint Neots or Saint Andrews?
Car Tracking
In historic urban centres like Kirkcaldy or Cambridge, there are many traffic calming measures that will place tyres under strain than they'd face on the open road. Sleeping policemen, raised kerbs and traffic control plates – devices that only allow you to navigate certain streets in one direction – can all knock your tracking out of kilter.
Therefore, it is wise to ensure your tyres are properly aligned before your staycation starts. Otherwise, you could end up forcing the steering wheel unduly to keep your car in a straight line, which in turn, wears the tyre tread down prematurely.
Sidewall Strength
If the sidewalls of your tyres are beginning to deteriorate, then it could end up in trouble no matter where you are in the country. Bulges on the sides of your tyres indicate a breakdown in the rubber compounds tyres are made from and could mean you're close to a blowout. This would be dangerous in a crowded city like Cambridge but it might also happen when travelling north of the border, of course.
Whether you're driving along scenic routes through the Scottish Highlands or navigating the bustling streets of Edinburgh, the risk of tyre failure can turn a pleasant journey into a dangerous situation.
Long road trips can expose weaknesses in your tyres, especially on uneven terrain or rural roads where help may be hard to find. In case you find yourself in need of new tyres, it's essential to act quickly to avoid further risks, especially when far from home or in unfamiliar areas. If you are travelling in Scotland, choose your car tyres at Fife Autocentre's website - they offer local pricing and quick service. Alternatively, there are plenty of places you can find on the outskirts of Cambridge close to the M11 or A14.
Tyre Inflation
It is also a good idea to pump your tyres up fully before a staycation, especially if you intend on taking a road trip to another part of the country. After all, a staycation doesn't mean you literally stay at home.
With a longer-than-usual car journey, you might notice your tyres are causing more and more fuel to be used up. This happens when under-inflated tyres spread out on the tarmac generating more rolling resistance than should be the case. Pump your tyres up to ensure they're inflated to the correct level.
Doing so doesn't just save money in terms of fuel economy: it could also save your life if you need to swerve on the road at the last moment.
Partially flat tyres offer nowhere near the right level of handling, something you may need in any city centre environment with many cyclists and pedestrians to consider.
