• A quick check of tyre condition and pressures brings added safety
• If in doubt about the state of the tyres, ask an expert
• Italy: some all-season and winter tyres are prohibited

Hanover, July 27, 2015. In Central Europe it’s summer vacation season – time to head for the coast or to the mountains. To get off to a really safe start, drivers should always check their tyres before they leave, says tyre manufacturer Continental. That means adjusting the tyre pressures to the higher loads – the correct settings can be found in the driver’s manual or on a sticker in the glove compartment or on the B-pillar or the fuel filler cap. Pressures should be adjusted with the tyres cold. Warm tyres show higher pressures on the tyre gauge.

Checking the state of the tyres themselves is important too. No one should set off on vacation with less than three millimeters of tread depth, because in heavy rain the risk of aquaplaning is far greater than with tyres with more tread. Checking the tread depth is easy: place a one euro coin on edge in the tyre groove and the gold-colored rim should no longer be visible. Drivers also need to check the tread strip and the sidewall for the kind of damage incurred when bumping over a curb. Anyone not sure about the performance of their tyres should consult an expert in the tyre trade.

And here’s a tyre tip for anyone heading for Italy: In Italy, in summer, driving with winter or all-season tyres that are not approved for at least the same speed as the standard tyres shown in the vehicle registration document is prohibited. Disregarding this rule can lead to heavy fines and possible impounding of the vehicle or having to fit the correct tyres at the nearest dealership.