Trucks & Tire Safety

Trucks react differently then cars during tire failure because of increased size.

Maintaining and understanding truck tire safety can be the difference between driving to a destination safely and battling to control a tire failure on the highway. According to "Between the Lines," a monthly publication for commercial motor vehicle drivers, tire failure is a leading cause of highway breakdowns. Tire pressure, tire wear, individual tire specifications and driving conditions each have an effect on truck safety on the road.

Tire Pressure

Every vehicle comes with specifications on recommended tire size and pressure. Look for these specifications in the owner's manual or on the vehicle placard stamped into the driver's side doorjamb. Manufacturers base recommended tire specifications on a "cold" tire, which means more than three hours have passed since driving. Overinflated tires unevenly focus tread wear to the center of the tire thus reducing grip and accelerating tire replacement times. An underinflated tire wears very quickly due to excessive rubber flexing that overheats the rubber, which can lead to tire tread, cord and bead failure. Check tire pressure before and after driving long distances or every month once the tire is "cold."

Tread Wear

Rubber degrades over time thus tread, grip and performance decreases. Regularly inspecting tire tread is a safe driving practice. The legal minimum for tread depth is 4/32 inch for front tires and 2/32 inch for rear tires. Tread depth gauges, available at auto stores, accurately read tread depth. Inspect tires for uneven tread wear, which is due to underinflation or overinflation.

Tire Inspection

Truck tires face an array of driving terrains where foreign objects such as nails, glass, metals or screws could stab into the rubber. Not every tire puncture immediately flattens a truck tire so it is important to inspect the tires before and after driving. Check in-between each of the rear dual truck tires if applicable. Inspect tire sidewalls for rips, cracking and dry rot to decrease the chance of an unexpected blowout. Make sure each tire has a valve cap so road grit can't infiltrate, leading to a potential air leak. Also, make sure the valve stem isn't cracking.

Driving Conditions

UV rays from sunlight and ozone increase the speed of tire aging. Trucks in warmer climates will more frequently replace tires compared to those in colder climates. Potholes, rough road and driving over road debris increases the chance of tread and sidewall damage, which can decrease tire longevity. Coastal climates also increase tire aging. Parking trucks indoors or using tire covers while parked helps slow tire aging.

Expert Insight

Rotate tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles or sooner if recommended by the manufacturer to increase tire longevity and even out tread wear. "Between the Lines," a publication from Camith Safety Services LLC, suggest truck drivers figure tire pressure changes 1 psi for every 10 degree change up or down so plan accordingly.

References

• Between the Lines: Tire Safety
• Consumer Reports: Tire Safety
• Safe Car: Tire Aging

Resources

• NHTSA: Tire Safety