Commercial Tire Wear Problems
Commercial tires are used on thousands of heavy trucks that travel the nation's highways. Tire wear is influenced by factors such as tire pressure, heat, mechanical issues and road conditions. Improper tire wear causes problems that can affect safety and fuel mileage.
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Tire Pressure
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Over-inflated tires lose their resiliency and are prone to tears, breaks and punctures. Under-inflation damages sidewalls, and generates heat from road friction that can cause the tread to separate from the tire.
Load Distribution
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With the exception of the tractor's front steer tires, all of the tires on a semi-truck are mounted in pairs. When the tire pressure of one tire in a pair is higher than the other, the load distribution between the two is unbalanced, resulting in irregular wear to both tires.
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Mechanical Issues
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Misaligned axles or steering components cause tires to track improperly, resulting in irregular wear patterns. Brakes that are frozen or in need of adjustment cause flat spots across the surface of the tread. Unusual tread wear is also caused by suspension problems, loose or worn wheel bearings or other mechanical issues.
Road Conditions
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Rough, unpaved roads promote irregular or excessive tire wear on even the most perfectly maintained tires. Debris and small stones can cause punctures or tears that create leaks and affect tire pressure.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit double tires on truck image by JoLin from Fotolia.com
