TirE mAINTENanCE

As a truck driver or fleet manager, it’s important to make sure your tires are always in good condition. Good maintenance helps prevent flats and blowouts on the road, which present major safety hazards. It can also affect fuel economy and increase the lifespan of other truck systems like the brakes and suspension system.

Here are six truck tire care tips from America Truck Driving School:

1. Regularly Rotate the Tires

Truck tires, like any other vehicle, should be rotated every 6,000-8,000 miles to distribute the tread wear evenly and help them last longer. In commercial trucks, the rear tires usually wear out faster than those in the front.

2. Get the Wheels Aligned

Wheel alignment is another major factor in tire health. If wheels are out of alignment in any way, they will wear out unevenly and usually much quicker than they would if they were aligned properly. You can usually feel when a truck’s wheels are out of alignment if the steering wheel is off-center, if it pulls to one side or the other, or if you notice a lot more vibration than usual when driving on a straight highway.

Misalignments can shorten the life span of tires and trucks. Irregular tire wear is a key indicator that tires are not properly aligned. Commercial vehicles should go in for a wheel alignment every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, which is also roughly the same frequency for replacing steer tires.

3. Keep the Tire Pressure Consistent

Regularly check the pressure in each tire to make sure they are inflated at the recommended air pressure. This will keep them lasting longer and will also help with fuel economy over those long hauls.

4. Keep the Wheels and Tires Clean

Not only does it look nice when the wheels and tires are kept clean. It is also good for the health of the wheels and tires themselves. Wash away the road salt, grease and grime to get more out of your tires.

5. Practice Smart Driving Habits

One of the biggest factors in poor tire performance is the driver’s habits. If you accelerate too quickly, drive over the speed limit or jam on the brakes too much, you will wear out the tires more quickly than if you drive smart and safe.

6. Always Perform Pre-Trip Inspections

This should be something you do before every trip. A pre-trip inspection of key systems for road readiness should always include the tires. Check the tire pressure, look at the tread wear and be prepared to address problems before you hit the highway to minimize damage.