How often do commercial truck tires need to be replaced?
Your truck tires are the hardest working parts of your truck. Whether your freight is used or brand new, it is crucial that you inspect your tires to ensure they are in good working condition. The condition of your tires can impact quite a few things, from how smooth your ride is to your fuel efficiency. Keeping your tires well maintained lowers your risk of accidents on the road and helps you get more miles per gallon when you fill up at the gas station. It is important to understand the lifespan of your tires so that you can maintain and replace them regularly. Here are some tips on how to keep your tires working like new.
How Long Do Truck Tires Last
Experts recommend replacing your tires in sets because sets with uneven treads can cause your truck to ride more roughly. You should never keep tires on your vehicle for longer than six years, though the average lifespan of a semi-truck tire is anywhere from three to six years if they remain in good condition. There is not a universal guideline on tire replacement because each truck is different and drives through different situations. Generally, a trucker can expect to get about 100,000 miles out of a set of tires. Driving on backcountry roads as opposed to paved highways can also impact the lifespan of your tires. The tread. is an easy way to determine the condition of your tires. If you insert a penny, head-down, into the center of your tire’s tread, and it’s even with the top of Abraham Lincoln’s head, the tires are becoming unsafe. You should replace your tires right away.
What Impacts Tire Condition
Always make sure you are performing regular maintenance on your tires to make sure they are not damaged in any way. Tires can develop air bubbles or cracks that damage their structure. They can also get tiny holes in them that cause slow leaks, leading to blowouts and deadly accidents. If your tires are cracked or get bubbles in them, you will immediately need to replace them. Other factors that impact how long your semi-truck tires will last include:
Extreme heat or cold
Road conditions
Carrying heavy loads
Harsh acceleration and hard braking
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Maintaining your semi truck tires is an essential part of not only keeping your trucks in tip-top shape but keeping them safe as well.
A study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that tires that are underinflated and worn are more likely to be involved in accidents.
When on the road, there are many factors that can lead to unsafe driving conditions. Make sure that tire quality isn’t one of them.
It can take a little bit of know how to actually detect when those tires need replacing. Read on below to learn when to replace your semi truck tires.
Tread Depth
Tires don’t have a set expiration date, and a number of factors play into whether or not a tire needs to be replaced.
Tread offers protection from the elements like rain and snow. A good amount of tread will drive over those factors no problem, less will definitely affect your performance.
The NHTSA recommends replacing tires once tread depth is down to 2/32.
A quick way to test this is with a penny.
The penny test will have you place the penny with Lincoln’s face down into the tire. If you can’t see Lincoln’s full face it’s time to replace those tires.
Uneven Wear
Other factors that can age a tire include weather conditions, driving habits, improper tire pressure, road conditions, and others. All of these can affect the wear on your tires.
Wear is natural and will occur with use. A general rule of thumb is to inspect tires at least once a month. Some manufacturers recommend replacement between years five and ten.
Uneven wear can be caused by improper tire alignment.
Sometimes this type of wear can be spotted with the naked eye. Be sure to check inner tire wear as well as outer.
Vibration
If while driving you feel any bizarre vibrations or an especially rough ride this might be an indicator that you need to replace your semi truck tires.
Make sure to immediately inspect the tires if any of this takes place on the road.
Driving on damaged tires can be very dangerous and cause other problems like blowouts.
Other Indicators
Cracking in the sidewall of tires is a normal occurrence but can be a sign that it’s that tire’s time to go.
These cracks are usually caused by exposure to the elements, excessive heat as well as sunlight.
Tires usually contain anti-aging chemicals to help combat cracking and are sometimes covered under warranty for this condition.
The rubber in tires can also dry rot while still having tread. This process leaves the tires less flexible and can even see the tread separate.
It is a good idea to replace tire right away if dry rot is seen.
Finding Semi Truck Tires
Keeping your semi truck tires healthy is responsible and over time can actually save you money.
Proper tire use can help a vehicle’s fuel economy, saving money there. It will also help prevent accidents and delays and cut down on lost time.
Let us help you keep your vehicles performing their best through our many services from customization to parts and service. Contact us today.
How often do commercial truck tires need to be replaced?
PTC Guide: When to Replace Your Semi Truck Tires
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