Commercial tires are generally among the top items on a fleet’s list of significant expenses. Fortunately, there are many things that can help extend a tire’s life to get more out of your operating dollars. Tire pressure is a big influence in how a tire performs and in how long it lasts. Here is some advice on commercial tire inflation from our tire experts at STTC to help you maintain your fleet and get the most out of your operating dollars.
Why is Proper Tire Pressure Important for Fleet Managers and Drivers? Valuable Advice on Commercial Tire Inflation
Incorrect tire inflation is a major contributor to negative tire performance, which can lead to unexpected truck breakdowns due to tire blowouts. Underinflated tires have more surface area in contact with the road, which can lead to overheating and tread separation. On the other hand, overinflated tires wear out faster than normal and can reduce traction, increasing the risk of a blowout. It’s crucial to maintain correct tire pressure for optimal performance and to maximize a tire’s lifespan. Our experts at STTC can offer valuable advice on commercial tire inflation to help you avoid these issues and save money in the long run. After all, losing 20% to 30% of a tire’s lifespan can add up quickly, especially when you have 18 tires on each truck!
What Tire Pressure Is Right for Your Tires?
To maintain the optimal performance and longevity of your commercial tires, it’s crucial to follow the manufacturer’s recommended tire pressure, which can be found on the sidewall of the tire or in the owner’s manual. For 14PLY tires, the recommended pressure is typically between 105 to 110 PSI, while 16PLY tires should be inflated to 115 to 125 PSI. It’s important to check the tire pressure when the tires are cold, as heat from driving can affect the readings. We recommend investing in a quality digital tire gauge to get accurate readings and staying within the correct range. At STTC, our experienced tire technicians can also offer valuable advice on commercial tire inflation and perform routine maintenance checks to ensure that your fleet’s trucks are operating with proper tire pressure, helping you save on operating costs and avoid unexpected tire-related breakdowns.
How Frequently Should You Check Commercial Tire Pressure? Valuable Advice on Commercial Tire Inflation for Fleet Managers and Drivers
It’s recommended to check tire pressure regularly on commercial trucks, but ‘regular’ can mean different things with different fleets. At a minimum, check the steer tires daily and the tires on the trailer weekly. During extremely hot weather, you may even want to check your tire pressure every two to three hours because the heat can impact tires. During normal weather, you may want to perform a visual check every time you stop. If a tire seems low or overinflated, you can always take a reading to know for sure. Making sure drivers check tire inflation regularly is one of the best ways to monitor the health of your fleet’s commercial tires.
Make Sure Your Tires Are at Their Best – STTC is Here to Help
Proper tire inflation not only affects tire performance and longevity, but it also has a direct impact on your fleet’s fuel economy. When tires are underinflated or overinflated, it can cause the engine to work harder, resulting in increased fuel consumption and higher costs for your fleet. It’s important to maintain the correct tire pressure to optimize fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs. At STTC, our tire experts can offer valuable advice on commercial tire inflation and help you ensure that your fleet’s tires are properly inflated to maximize fuel economy and your bottom line.
STTC offers quality tires and retreading services that help you get more out of your tires. You can reduce your cost-per-mile with a good tire management program that includes maintenance and service on tires to reduce the number of blowouts.
Contact STTC to discuss how to keep your fleet’s tires in the best condition with correct inflation, and how to get more use out of older tires that have lost tread. We’d love to show you our tire retreading process so you can be assured that retread commercial tires are safe, efficient, and save you money.
