As winter slowly turns to spring, a visit to the Midlands to see areas of outstanding natural beauty and stunning countryside should be high on your agenda. Offering a great family day out, Central England boasts architectural treasures such as Lincoln Cathedral, Stratford-upon-Avon, some with equally astounding gardens and parkland. Northamptonshire has also played host to countless historical moments, and its heritage of beautiful stately homes and gardens remain strong today.
For those who enjoy a slightly faster pace, the main towns in the county each offer a unique experience. Northampton itself is nestled in a curve of the River Nene and offers a wide range of attractions, from beautiful parks, museums and theatres to a host of evening entertainment venues.
With unpredictable terrain, weather and dark evenings this time of year, it’s worth giving your car a thorough check over before you make any adventurous journeys. Here are a few things to check:
- Check your tyre pressure: It’s important for drivers to do a physical check of the tyres and look out for any signs of unusual wear or damage. This can include cuts, bulges or any objects that have punctured the tyre. If you notice any of these problems, you will need to get them checked by a professional mechanic and repaired if necessary.
- Make sure there is enough tread: Tyre treads have a direct impact not only on the performance of your car, but also its overall safety, especially in poor weather conditions. The legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm, so it’s important to make sure that it does not go below this limit. If the tread is at or below the minimum depth, your tyres will need to be replaced straight away. Remember, driving a car with tyres below this limit is not only illegal but also extremely dangerous and will cause your car to fail its MOT test. Having the correct depth is essential to ensuring good control and maximising the safety of your vehicle.
- Don’t overload your car: Overloading your car can be more hazardous than you may at first think. A vehicle that is carrying a lot of weight can compromise the handling and cause excessive wear on the tyres due to excessive heat. This could cause a tyre explosion and put you at danger of having a road accident. Take care not to exceed the recommended amount.
- Finding the right tyres: It may come as a surprise to you that tyres are the most neglected aspect of our vehicles. It’s very important to be able to find the right tyre providers in your local area. If you’re looking you could get tyres in Northampton from Calmac Tyres.
With all the peculiar weather this time of year has to offer, it’s worth giving your car a thorough check over before you begin your exploration of all Central England has to offer.
