Imagine increasing the lifespan of new steer tires by 30,000 miles, about 30% of their original lifespan. If tires are one of your fleet’s biggest expenses, you can’t afford to overlook any technique to extend their life. It’s not just about the cost of the tires, though. Tire efficiency directly relates to fuel efficiency and truck safety. Worn tires crank up your fuel expenses and increase the risk of accidents on the road. Tire alignment is one more effective way to make your tires last longer and cost less per mile.
Understanding Wheel Alignment
When commercial tires turn, they need to be working together to get the truck down the road smoothly. The harder the wheels work, the more fuel they burn. Wheel alignment involves checking the angles of the tire so that it makes optimal contact with the road to get the best ride. Although some of these adjustments are small, they make a big difference to the wear of the tires. Tires are checked for three different components:
- Camber – This is how the tires tilt when looking straight at the tires. Zero degree camber is when the wheel is completely vertical. A negative camber is when the wheels point slightly inward. Positive camber is a slight outward tilt.
- Caster – The caster alignment is the slope of the steering axis in relationship to the tires. Every make, model, and year, has a specific caster measure that provides the best handling.
- Toe – This is how the tires align with the tire axles and the forward direction of the truck. Toes that are properly aligned experience less friction on the road, making for a smoother, safer, and more efficient ride.
Front-end alignments only adjust the suspension components in the front of the vehicle, while a four-wheel alignment adjusts both the front and rear axles. With commercial vehicles, a front-end alignment is more common, because the back wheels on tandem axles follow the tracks of the steer wheels, but three axle alignments are available.
Benefits of Regular Alignments
When your commercial trucks regularly go in for service appointments and alignment at your tire care center, you will see the following key benefits:
- Improved tire life and even wear: Regular wheel alignment ensures that your tires wear evenly, extending their lifespan and saving you money on replacements.
- Enhanced fuel efficiency: Properly aligned wheels reduce rolling resistance, which means your vehicle uses less energy and fuel to maintain speed.
- Better handling and vehicle safety: Wheel alignment enhances your vehicle’s handling, making it easier to control and reducing the risk of accidents.
- Reduced strain on suspension and steering components: Keeping your wheels aligned minimizes stress on suspension and steering systems, preventing premature wear and costly repairs.
Signs Your Vehicle Needs an Alignment
Most drivers won’t necessarily look too carefully at their truck tires to see that they’re out of alignment, but they will certainly feel it on the road. When the truck pulls to one side or when the steering wheel vibrates, it could be due to misaligned tires. The steering wheel may also be crooked when the tires aren’t aligned. If a driver notices uneven tire wear during their routine inspections, the alignment may be the culprit.
How Often to Schedule Tire Alignment
For commercial tires, the expert recommendation is to have the steer tires aligned after the first 30,000 miles of wear. Subsequent alignments occur every 50,000 to 60,000 miles, at least annually or when the steer tires are replaced. Commercial trucks may require more frequent alignments based on truck usage and driving conditions.
Tips for Maintaining Proper Alignment
- Regularly check tire pressure.
- Avoid hitting curbs and potholes.
- Rotate tires as recommended.
- Schedule regular maintenance checks.
Looking for Tire Alignment Services Near You?
Truck maintenance correlates to the health and safety of your fleet’s drivers and equipment. Tire alignment is an important component of keeping your trucks at peak performance. STTC offers professional fleet tire maintenance to make sure trucks are safe, fuel-efficient, and ready for the road.
Give us a call now at 610-954-8473 or contact us online to schedule an appointment for tire alignment near you.
