Preparing for National Tire Safety Week and Roadcheck 2014

In honor of the Rubber Manufacturers Association’s Tire Safety Week June 1-7, and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Roadcheck blitz June 3-5, Love’s Truck Tire Care is offering tips on how to keep wheels and tires in peak condition.

The need is dramatic.

Tires are among the highest expenses for fleets and owner-operators. Tires and wheels accounted for 10 percent of out-of-service violations during last year’s Roadcheck,” said Dan Jensen, director of tire sales and service for Love’s.

Jensen recommended the following steps to stay ahead of the curve.

1. Air pressure: Increase the life of your tires and maximize fuel efficiency by making sure your tires are properly inflated. Poorly inflated tires can cause a road failure, as well as decreased tread life,and added stress and possible failure of the casing.
2. Alignment: Operating a vehicle without proper alignment causes irregular wear. Driver fatigue can be caused by counter-steering due to alignment issues. Tires should be monitored for irregular wear and aligned as needed.
3. Matching tread depth: Mismatched tread depth can cause excessive and rapid wear. Tires should be matched within 1/8 of an inch (4/32) on an axle.
4. Consider retreads: Retreads maximize casing value and have the same tread and capability of a new tire. Retreads are an environmentally friendly and cost-effective solution.
5. Valve caps: Federal DOT regulations require drivers to have valve caps on their tires at all times. A loose or faulty valve cap can result in loss of air and tire pressure, which can cause a tire to fail.

Category: General Update, Management, Wheels & Tires