Truckers have heard the saying, “tires are the only part of the truck, contacting with the road.” The proverb has become as commonplace as the rituals to test safety and performance. They are done before driving. Front and rear lights, turn signals, brake lights, 10 tires are inspected. The brake disc, windshield wipers are objects to be viewed.
Lorry drivers monitor the tire performance. Damaged splints are a threat to the safety of the driver and oncoming car. Accidents hit finances and health. Small cracks cause the surface of the tyre to rot. Irregular maintenance of commercial vehicle tires leads to delays and unnecessary costs.
Truck tires are the parts of the car, affecting two factors: fuel efficiency, performance. Wheels optimize the use of vehicles. Commercial vehicles depend on them. Rubbers require careful care. Seasonality and location influence preservation. Fleets are places for using trucks.
The choice of tires depends on the type of lorry, route, brand. Drivers pay attention to sealing, noise levels. Flight and winter truck tires have different tread depths. The technology of their production continues to develop. Drivers face a dilemma: performance or cost.
Along with low-drag tires with a wide base, the traditional twin rubber design is in demand due to its high gas efficiency. They have less resistance, compared to conventional ones, require frequent replacement, costs. They are not popular. Save money for the driver as fuel prices will exceed $4 per gallon.
Proper maintenance is essential for tiny lorry delivering goods to homes and 18-wheeler trucks carrying luggage over rough terrain. Fleets have appreciated the value of maintenance programs. They extend the life of a lorry, increasing profits. Changing the wheels is not enough. Freight companies use maintenance solutions to keep splint in good condition.
Use helpful truck tire care tips. They will save money.
1. Pump them up correctly
Proper tire pressure is a part of maintenance, ensuring “healthy” tread contact and uniforming tread absorption. Inflate truck tires. Regular check-ins will help. A check schedule is a tool to avoid overpumping or under-pumping. The two-wheeled rubbers of the trucks should be inflated rightly.
2. Transporting cargo by your vehicle plays an important role.
Tread inflation, load control are interrelated. Good air pressure in the tires of vehicles in accordance with the weight prolongs their service life. Excessive inflation harms them: resistance to impact fractures, punctures decreases, adhesion decreases, they wear unevenly. The wheels must support the weight of the lorry. When the air pressure is normal, truck tires last longer, match the rated load.
3. Turn them over periodically
Regular change extends expiration date. Rotation of rubber wheels on four-wheel drive lorry moderately wears the tread. By changing the direction of wheels, the asymmetrical wear of the rubber on the sides of the trailer is balanced. To distribute the shock absorption and extend the “life cycle”, turn the wheels in a crosswise direction before removal. Directional tyres must maintain the same direction of rotation for two-wheelers.
Reducing traction on wet roads threatens driving protection. The steering wheel “wedge” during sharp turns. Remember about the brake. It will defend you.
How do you know if the cargo wheels are inflated correctly? Normal tyre pressure comply with rotation if necessary – a criterion of good maintenance. There are three types of pressure: maximum, optimal, and recommended. The values are determined by the manufacturer and printed on the sidewall of the splint. To prolong their lifespan and prevent interruptions in operation, the necessary actions are taken.
4. Checking the pressure in the tires.
The load on the other tires occurs when one of them is chronically under-inflated and over-pumped. This lead to rapid wearability. Right weight distribution and reduction of one-sided drag is possible at normal tension in each. At moderate squeeze, accident-free driving is guaranteed.
Most CDL drivers understand the importance of a safe ride, benefit from extending the life of cargo tyre. Splints have a certain speed and safety rating. With reckless driving, the risk of premature wear increases, leading to an explosion. It is difficult to hold a lorry during the exposition of the wheel. The front wheels burst.
A tedious, important inspection of the wheels prevents them from damage, explosion. A typical problem is: glass, stones, nails, or other objects get stuck in (or between) them. Hello to flaws and cracks in tires. Fleet managers and drivers inspect the wheels on cars for secure driving. Check for large stones between the splints and wheels after off-road driving.
5. Select the tires according to the track characteristics and load.
The proper choice depending on the load used affects the performance of the rubber. It has different load capacity, size, and weather resistance. Consider the type of truck and its intended use. Choose the wrong one, you'll get difficulties on your head. Choice will lead to a breakdown. STTC's TIA-certified technicians will find the perfect tyre for your specific situation.
6. Weather Preparation and Air Pressure
In cold weather, the pressure in the wheels drops. The factor shortens the life of the tread, influence on fuel efficiency, road safety. Preventing the formation of ice on the valve core is possible thanks to its cover. Using a pressure gauge in sub-zero weather is fraught with a decrease in tension. Too low or high overloads the frame and other parts of the car, regardless of the weather. Check squeeze once a week.
7. Ensure proper wheel rotation
The process of tightening the bolts is simple, along with replacing the wheel nut. Too tight or loose can be harmful. Insufficiently tightened wheels fly off the hub (drum) seat. They damage the mounting pins. Tires is out
8. Developing Moral Behavior
Rubbers have functions. By following all the rules of the road, recommended procedures to save tires and other expensive equipment, you slow down their deterioration. Less damage, less cost. Save your health and nerves. Treatment is expensive.
9. Solve problems in the immediate moment
Truck drivers sometimes neglect minor repairs, leading to more serious problems. Troubles pile on you, increasing costs. Tire services are not free. The price depends on the extent of the breakdown. Repairing an engine or gearbox is pricey.
10. Keep Learning
Information about tires and preventative safety measures is updated, changed. Today's drivers should follow a number of rules and guidelines for harmless driving. Lifelong learning lead to successful achievements. Recommendations are designed for security. Rightful maintenance of vehicles and wheels is a lifeline for your business. Long service life of tires + fuel economy + safety of life while driving.
Cargo tyre care is a set of procedures, maintaining the “lifespan” of tires. Your safety while driving: systematic check of wear resistance, damage, maintaining the pressure in them at the normal level. Regular inspection of tread depth, tire pressure, wheel rotation of a lorry with two drives is the key to a harmless ride. It is checked to see if the wheels are properly aligned. Ignoring “techno-sessions” is a path to accidents. Without them, you won't save on fuel, wear out splints.
You create a hundred percent guarantee of safety for yourself. Maintaining the correct tension in the wheels is sustenance their performance. You benefit from this: reduce fuel consumption, save hundreds of dollars on tire changes. "Underinflation” of tires is the load on the engine and fuel consumption, overinflated tires are poor grip on the road surface, complicating the control of the truck.
The Department of Transportation has set the minimum tread depth to be 4/32 of an inch, for other places it is 2/32 of an inch. Not following standards in wet complicates movements on the road. Part of the wheel with the way. The residual depth indicator shows the degree of the rubber wear. It differs depending on the season and the type of car.
Replacement of tires of all-wheel drive lorry — uniform wear and extension of the service life of the wheels, improving the operation of the vehicle. The trucks have good performance due to the right preservation of the tires: better handling, traction, stability, good braking and cornering. Their good alignment reduces wearability, improves fuel efficiency. Tyre type, operating conditions and maintenance are some factors, influencing the frequency of replacement. The procedure is carried out every 6–10 years. Check systematically, do not miss the time. You will do the procedure in a timely manner.
To prolong the life of the wheels, replace them regularly in four-wheel drive trucks for wear. The “long life” of your tyres – perfect handling. There is a rule: change the wheels every 60-70 thousand kilometers. You will serve them for 5–6 years with a calm ride.
Inspecting the tires for cuts, blisters and punctures, properly balancing and aligning the wheels will save you from problems. Damaged rubbers have bumps. Don't get overwhelmed. They will collapse prematurely. The car's owner's manual states this.
Trailer marker wheels are operated in difficult conditions. To properly care for them, check for wear resistance, damage tension before trip. Keep closed without touching the ground to protect tires from moisture, UV rays when not in use. Do not allow the cargo tires to overweight.
Determine the cause, extent, location of the issue, make a decision. A nail or stone is not a threat to your safety. Swollen wheel is a danger. The tyre can stops withstand the load and pressure. This entails a loss of controllability. The risk of an accident increases.
To patch tires without removing the wheel is possible. If you have a spare, that's great. Change it, observing the traffic rules. If not, pumping it up with a pump or compressor. Safely drive to the service station.
Installing a raw rubber harness is an easy and cheap way to fix the wheel yourself. It is sold with an abrasive awl and glue. The awl widens the holes in the tire and improves the contact between the harness and its edges. The needles for its installation and the glue work well together. The glue acts as a “lubricant”.
Trick: a long ride on a repaired tire. Disadvantages: the possibility of damaging the cord during installation. A tyre with a puncture in the tread area can be repaired. Splint with a damaged sidewall or a broken rim is not.
The second option for DIY repair is an aerosol liquid sealant. Its cost is from 4 to $159.95 . Remove the foreign body from the rubber, pour the liquid into the wheel through the valve. After tightening the valve, properly distribute the aerosol, inflate the wheel. Ride slowly.
Keep in mind: sealant does not save if the hole is large. Its effect on balancing is unpredictable. Two techniques are “temporary repair of damage” Tire refit is a full-fledged way of setting-up. In the auto tire service, the wheel will be repaired using the cord “mushrooms” method. To give roughness, the punctures are processed and drilled. (tourniquet + patch).
Such driving leads to one outcome: damage to the car and tyres. Stop and change the wheel in a safety place.
Here's a “live case” with of my friend:
He was driving on a wide road: had urgent business. My friend heard an creaking noise. The steering wheel was skidding.
Half an hour passed. The noise intensified. My sidekick panicked and stopped. Getting out of the car, he saw a flat tire. There was a tire service nearby. He quickly changed a tire. Our hero went to see a specialist. The master told:
— The tyre was changed in time. This situation would have ruined the disks.
For rear-wheel-drive vehicles, use a transverse pattern at the rear. For the front wheel, the opposite sides of the rear axle. The rear wheel moves to the front axle, remaining on one side of the vehicle. The rotation increases the service life of tires, traffic safety. Shifting the wheels extends the life of the wheels, depending on the type of car.
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We took this video from Fleet Equipment YouTube Channel.
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