4 Best Ways to Maintain Your Truck Tires – Matrack Guide
Did you know that well-maintained truck tires are responsible for a better truck life? And why wouldn’t they? After all, truck tires carry the entire weight of your trucking operations.
Hence, it becomes crucial that, as a truck driver, you ensure your tires are in good condition. This will help you with better fuel economy and increased life span of the suspension or brakes.
Without delaying further, let’s get straight to the point. In this blog, we will talk about the importance of tires in vehicle safety. We will also share the four best ways to maintain your truck tires.
Learn how to maintain your truck tires best with this Matrack Guide. Shall we begin?
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4 Best Ways to Maintain Your Truck Tires
After everything we have discussed, it becomes clear that maintaining truck tires is more than necessary. With that said, let’s discuss how you, as a truck driver, can keep your truck tires efficiently.
Ensure proper tire pressure
See, here is the deal: during the summer, fleets deal with more tire blowouts than at any other time. When winter hits, truck tires tend to be under-inflated due to the contraction of air molecules in cold temperatures. It leads to increased wear on the tire’s edges, known as the “shoulders.”
Those air molecules expand when things heat up in the summer, and the truck tires are over-inflated. Combine that with the already worn-out shoulders, and boom—more chances of blowouts.
The solution is that instead of doing the monthly tire check routine some truckers swear by, it is way wiser to keep an eye on that tire pressure every week. Regularly giving each tire a check ensures they have the correct air pressure. It makes them last longer and boosts fuel economy during long journeys.
Rotating tires
Truck tire rotation is a common practice to ensure even wear. It involves repositioning the tires. In commercial trucks, the rear tires wear out faster due to increased friction during turns on the front drive axle.
Manufacturers often include tire rotation schemes in the owner’s manual, with the “X-pattern” being a typical method to balance wear across treads and shoulders.
To implement the X-pattern rotation, move the right front tire to the left-rear position and the left front tire to the right-rear place. Michelin, a major tire manufacturer, recommends rotating truck tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles. Regularly check the tread depth on both sets of tires for even wear.
Proper wheel alignment
Misalignment of wheels leads to various issues that adversely affect truck performance and tire lifespan. For instance, a condition known as “positive camber” arises when the upper part of a tire tilts outward, hastening wear on the tire’s outer shoulder. Identifying signs of severe misalignment is crucial for prompt attention and resolution.
Look for the following symptoms:
- Off-center steering wheel while driving straight.
- Noticeable vibrations felt through the steering wheel.
- Uneven wear on the tire tread and shoulder.
- The vehicle pulls to one side when the driver releases the steering wheel.
Promptly recognizing these indicators is essential to address misalignment issues and prevent further damage to the truck and its tires.
Always perform pre-trip inspections
Before you start a trip, always check quickly. Look at your tires – check the air pressure and see if the tread is okay. Fix any issues before you begin your journey. This helps prevent problems and makes your journey safer. Take a few minutes for this simple check before each trip, and it will keep your tires and travels in good shape.
Why Should You Maintain Your Tires Well?
The benefits are many: Fuel savings, fewer blowouts, and whatnot. Find a list of why you should maintain your truck tires below:
Safety
First and foremost, we cannot emphasize the aspect of safety more. Well-maintained tires contribute to better vehicle control, handling, and traction. Proper tire inflation and tread depth are essential for optimal grip on the road, especially in adverse weather conditions such as rain or snow. This helps reduce the risk of accidents and improves overall road safety.
Fuel Efficiency
Let’s talk about fuel efficiency. Underinflated or overinflated tires lead to decreased fuel efficiency. On the other hand, properly inflated tires reduce rolling resistance. This means your truck requires less energy to move. This results in improved fuel economy and is environmentally friendly plus cost-effective for the vehicle owner.
Compliance with Regulations
Adhering to tire maintenance guidelines and regulations is essential. This becomes especially true for commercial vehicles. Non-compliance may lead to fines and penalties. Regular inspections and maintenance help ensure your tires meet safety and environmental standards.
Importance of Tires in Vehicle Safety
- Properly maintained tires with sufficient tread depth provide optimal traction. Adequate traction is essential to grip the road surface, especially in adverse weather conditions like rain, snow, or slippery surfaces.
- Tires significantly affect the braking performance. Worn-out or improperly inflated tires significantly increase stopping distances. It compromises the ability to control the vehicle quickly in emergencies.
- Regular tire maintenance, including proper inflation and visual inspections, helps prevent tire blowouts. Blowouts lead to loss of control and potentially serious accidents. It makes preventive measures vital for safety.
- Designers create tires to support specific load capacities. Overloading a vehicle can cause tire failure, which affects stability and safety. Therefore, it is essential to maintain the correct tire pressure to ensure the tires carry the intended load.
- Tires that are correctly aligned help maintain a straight and predictable path. Misaligned tires cause the vehicle to pull to one side. It makes it harder to control and increases the risk of accidents.
Top Truck Tire Vendors
Many truck tire vendors are available. Truck driving jobs often require being updated about your tire’s health and the top vendors you could choose from. Here is Matrack’s recommended list:
- Goodyear Tires – We recommend these tires to anyone who wants a durable design and high-quality material. These are a bit expensive, but their quality is unmatched by their cheaper counterparts.
- Mickey Thompson – It offers high-performance street tires and off-racing-appropriate tires. They are expected to last anywhere between 15,000 to 30,000 miles. These tires are constructed differently from other tires.
- Michelin – It offers silent rides with excellent fuel efficiency and a long life. You can expect these tires to last 45,000 to 85,000 miles. These are great for people who live in areas that experience all four seasons.
- Cooper – Tight on budget? You should opt for Cooper tires. They offer great durability and safety. These are specially designed for regions with rainfall as these tires remove excess water from the road.
How Matrack Can Help You?
Matrack provides fleet management solutions, a trusted one-stop solution for all trucking operations. As truck drivers, we understand the importance of caring for your truck and finances. That’s why we’ve designed our system to offer the best services at low costs.
What’s more? Our GPS fleet tracking system sends real-time reminders to schedule vehicle maintenance promptly. It also detects fault codes and alerts you, allowing you to address them before they escalate or cause accidents.
With Matrack, you can enjoy peace of mind, knowing that we prioritize the safety of your fleet and work tirelessly to ensure you never encounter any issues. Choose Matrack’s fleet management solution and put your fleet worries to rest.
Wrapping Up
With this, we have come to the end of our discussion. However, this end should mark the beginning of your journey, securing and maintaining your tires. Make sure to run pre-trip inspections and tire rotations, and ensure perfect tire pressure to increase the life span of your tires and ultimately save significantly on the costs.
Also, make sure you choose the right truck tire vendor, as picking the best service under your surroundings and terrain in any truck driving job is crucial. Lastly, opt for the Matrack fleet tracking system to stay ahead and worry-free in the world of tires and trucks. We have always got your back!
