Inspect tires before a road trip

Most everyone loves a road trip...I know I do.
Before taking a trip, always inspect your tires on your vehicle. I do this routinely.
I also check my tire pressure from time to time, which reminds me I need to do this today.
After reading the following, courtesy of Newspaper Metro, I did not know about the penny test on your tires.
Road trips are an autumn tradition for many people. Excursions to see the fall foliage can be awe-inspiring, but drivers must make sure their vehicles can handle such jaunts.
Tire inspections are essential before hitting the open road. The following are a handful of steps drivers can take to ensure their tires are up to the task of fall road trips.
· Give tires the eye test. The eye test can be an effective and quick way to detect tire damage. Uneven wear may be indicative of insufficient tire pressure or an alignment problem. Uneven wear also may indicate the vehicle is experiencing problems with its steering or suspension. But many times uneven wear can be remedied by a simple tire rotation, so take your vehicle to your mechanic if you notice uneven wear.
· Look for stowaways. Uneven wear is not the only thing drivers can detect with their eyes. In the course of your travels, your tire might have picked up a few stowaways, such as nails and screws that are poking into the tire. If you find any freeloaders, take your car to your mechanic, as your tires may need to be replaced.
· Look for cracking or bulging treads. Cracking or bulging treads or sidewalls can eventually cause a blowout, which can put you and your fellow road trippers in serious jeopardy. Cracked or bulging treads or sidewalls indicate tires are worn or weak, so bring your car to your mechanic for an inspection if you discover such problems.
· Perform the penny test. The penny test can help motorists determine if tire treads are worn. To perform the test, insert a penny with Abraham Lincoln’s head pointing upward into the tread. If the tread does not reach the top of Lincoln’s head, your tire’s treads are worn.
· Check tire pressure. Right before you pack up the car to hit the open road, check each of your tires’ pressure, making sure the pressure in each tire is at the level recommended in your owner’s manual.
Inflating tires to the proper pressure takes just a minute or so, but that minute can protect you and your passengers while also saving you money at the filling station.
Properly maintained tires can go a long way toward ensuring the fall road trip season is a success.