(BPT) - Summer is nearly here, and travelers everywhere are dreaming of the journeys they'll take with friends and family. But there's one aspect of road trip planning that often goes overlooked, and ironically, it's the only part of the vehicle that touches the road: tires.

Tires aren't always exciting. But before a car hits top speed, it's crucial to make sure the rubber is up to speed.

How can drivers prepare their tires for road trip season? Here's some advice from Nokian Tyres, which offers a Pothole Protection warranty for every tire that comes from its U.S. factory in Dayton, Tennessee. The inventor of the winter and all-weather tires offers more information, and a chance to win a set of tires, at NokianTyres.com/RoadTrips.

Check tire pressure

Drivers should make sure their tires are inflated to the recommended level. Low tire pressure makes blowouts more likely and harms gas mileage and EV range. High pressure can reduce traction and cause premature wear.

The recommended tire pressure can be found on a vehicle's driver-side door jamb or owner manual. The easiest way to check tire inflation is with a pressure gauge. Gas station inflation machines also provide that info. If doubt remains, a local tire shop will gladly perform a check.

Make sure tread is deep enough

The shallower a tire's tread, the less responsive it is to the road. That's especially problematic on wet roads; the risk of hydroplaning increases when tread is too shallow.

How can drivers make sure tread depth is adequate? By putting a penny inside the tread and turning it upside down. If Abraham Lincoln's head is fully visible, it's time for a new set of tires.

For an even simpler approach, Nokian Tyres' Driving Safety Indicator clearly displays how much tread is left at various points along the center of the tire's tread. The percentage of remaining rubber is indicated in 20-percent increments from 80 percent to 40. The next symbol - a snowflake on winter tires and a rain drop on other products - tells drivers it's time to replace their tires.

Get rotated and aligned

May is a good time to head to the tire shop for a tire rotation and alignment check. Nokian Tyres recommends rotating tires every 4,000 to 8,000 miles. Tires that aren't regularly rotated are more likely to wear unevenly, which harms handling and efficiency. Of course, a trip to the tire shop will also feature a full wellness check, including a tire pressure test and a visual inspection to rule out tire damage.

Check the spare

Travelers never want to suffer a tire issue on the road, and Nokian Tyres' Pothole Protection program helps with peace of mind. But it's still important to make sure their spare tire is properly inflated and has sufficient tread depth, just in case a journey is derailed by a flat tire.

Between May 19 and 30, road trippers who aren't confident in their tires have a chance to win new ones by visiting NokianTyres.com/RoadTrips. The site also features a road trip tire safety checklist, a tire selector tool and more resources to help drivers stay safe on their summer journeys.