Vehicle maintenance tips for post-travel inspections

Following long trips involving high mileage, high temperatures, and increased vehicle loads, a brief inspection can help identify hidden damage or mechanical issues.

Key maintenance priorities include checking tire pressure and condition. Tire pressure should be measured when tires are cold, using the manufacturer's recommended values found in the vehicle manual or on stickers in the driver's door or fuel cap, rather than the maximum pressure listed on the tire sidewall. For fully loaded vehicles, pressure may need to be 0.2-0.3 bar higher as per manufacturer guidelines.

Additionally, a visual inspection of all four tires is recommended to check for sidewall bulges, tears, punctures, uneven wear, or damage from curbs. The minimum legal tread depth is 1.6mm, though replacement should be considered before reaching this limit.