Tire failure is not fun. It can cause serious catastrophe on the road and end up costing a lot.
Few others have to worry about tire issues as much as truck drivers do. But fortunately, there are ways to take that worry away. Here we offer you 5 tips to help avoid tire failure.
To learn more, check out Best practices for reducing tire wear.
Checking Tire Pressure
Although checking tire pressure is the last thing most drivers want to do, it is critical. In fact, it is probably the most important step to take. A tire 20 percent below optimal pressure is actually considered a flat tire. And industry research has shown that 90 percent of tire blowouts are a result of underinflation.
It’s no fun, but checking tire pressure and making sure your tires are not at all underinflated is a necessary part of your pre-inspection routine. Then, you can get behind the wheel without having to worry about it.
Proper Alignment
Maintaining alignment is necessary to reduce the wear in your tires. But it also helps your control of the truck as the driver. Proper alignment allows maximum handling ability, reducing the risk of accidents or other issues on the road.
Another thing to avoid is mixing and matching tires, especially tires across an axle. This will help expand the lifecycle of your tires and maintain their integrity.
Minimizing Heat
Heat actually accelerates the aging process in a tire. An underinflated tire that is exposed to heat loses integrity in its casing. Avoid the damage by avoiding exposure to heat.
Minimizing Cold
In extreme cold, it’s necessary to check tire pressure in a controlled environment. A temperature above freezing is optimal. This will make sure that you get an accurate measure of tire pressure.
It’s also a good idea to avoid extreme cold because it can damage the tire compounds and make them brittle. This hurts the integrity of the tire, and causes it to wear a lot faster.
Avoiding Road Hazards
This is hard to do sometimes, and in some cases it’s unavoidable. But often, potholes and serious road hazards can be fatal to tires. When it doesn’t kill the tire on the spot, it can sometimes cause internal damage that will speed up the aging, sending the tire to its death.
It’s a good idea to avoid driveway lips, potholes, curbs, and obviously any hazards on the road. Slamming into them will cause problems down the road for your tires, and in the worst case, kill them.
When it comes down to it, it’s all about remembering the important tips. If you take care of your tires, your tires will take care of you. Remember, you’re the driver so you’re are the most important piece of the puzzle!