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As a towing company, we know tires are expensive. We also know most drivers mean to keep up with their tire maintenance programs, but driving often gets in the way. Until you drop a tread, or pick-up a bolt, it’s easy to forget about your tires. Problem is, tires are very unforgiving, and will eat up your profits any chance they get. Don’t let them. Here’s how. Any tire showing damage is trying to tell you something. You might need an alignment if you see certain patterns, so knowing which tire patterns to look for helps you identify the problem. Tire sites usually have a chart on types of damage to expect with each problem.
Keep tires of the same diameter together (New with new. Used with used). If not, you end up with one tire skipping and scraping the road because it isn’t the same size. Premature wear isn’t pretty.
Know when to replace/retread your tires. Minimum legal depth is 4/32″ on the steer and 2/32″ on others. Tires wear at approximately 1/32″ per 13-14,000 miles. Measure your treads now, and mark their expected replacement dates based on your average mileage. Problem solved.
Service those bearings and kingpins. This WILL make your tires wear better.
Tires are one of the most important parts of your vehicle. They provide you with a safe and comfortable ride, but they can also be dangerous if not properly maintained. Regular tire maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle safe.
You should always make sure that the tires on your car have at least ¾ of their tread left before driving any distance or speed in excess of 50 mph. If you notice anything unusual about them such as uneven wear, dry rot, punctures or splits then it is likely time to call your local mechanic to get the tires checked out. You should also rotate your tires regularly to maintain the even wear and distribute the pressure.
Tire maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle safe, but there are many other factors that you need to consider when maintaining them such as proper inflation. You should always check your tire’s air pressure monthly or more often if it has been driven on for a while since it can lose up to ½ psi per month.
This is important because an under inflated tire will result in improper handling of the car which can be incredibly dangerous and is one of the largest factors of vehicular accidents. It is also important to keep your tires from overheating which can be dangerous as well.
Tires are not designed to work in excess of 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and you should always check the temperature before driving on them. The last thing that you need to do is rotate your tires at least once a year or every 7,500 miles so that they wear evenly and don’t have excessive wear on one side. Tire maintenance is essential to keep your vehicle safe!
If the tire is already flat, or something is wrong where you don’t feel safe driving the vehicle, it’s a good idea to call a towing company for roadside assistance.
Always install new tires – not retreads, on your steering axles. Better safe than sorry when it comes to steering gear. Make sure your inflation is correct for your load. Underinflated tires, especially under load, will chew tires quickly. Adjust pressures for cold climates you are driving in. If you’re coming from a warmer area, when you hit cold weather areas the air in your tires contracts, and suddenly you’re running underinflated. Check your pressures.
Damaged, improperly balanced wheels will damage tires.Look over all of your wheels for signs of damage – every trip. Keep radials with radials, and bias ply with bias ply. Don’t mix them, or you will see a shorter tire life. Tires do have a maintenance schedule. Whether you’re a single O/O, or have a fleet of trucks, have a plan for replacement and/or repair with an escrow fund and based on mileage and you’ll keep those tires from eating your profits alive.
