Tires are a significant investment for any fleet, and taking care of them properly ensures safer and more efficient operations. Considering that a small patch on each tire is the only thing making contact between a truck and the roadway, it becomes even more important to ensure that tires are properly inflated and have the right amount of tread. This becomes even more crucial during the hot summer months, where an underinflated tire can overheat and lead to catastrophic failure.
Why "thumping" tires won’t prevent costly issues
It’s common to see a driver get out of their truck and start “thumping” their tires, during pre-trip checks to gauge if their tires are road-worthy. However, thumping tires may reveal if a tire is flat but won’t accurately gauge if there is enough air pressure in each tire. Imagine knocking on the fuel tank to determine how much fuel is in there. There may be a hollow sound if it’s empty, but the exercise is otherwise futile. Drivers depend on their fuel gauge to determine the amount of fuel they have, so likewise they should depend on a commercial-grade tire gauge to ensure their tires have the right air pressure.
Avoid repairs & downtime with proper tire inflation
Over or under-inflated tires pose significant risks, including:
- Blowouts and accidents: Underinflated tires generate more heat, which can lead to dangerous failures on the road.
- Decreased fuel efficiency: Improperly inflated tires increase rolling resistance, increasing fuel costs.
- Shortened tire lifespan: Imbalanced air pressure leads to uneven wear, increasing replacement expenses.
- Lack of compliance and fines: Inadequate tire inspections can lead to maintenance violations that negatively impact a fleet’s BASIC scores.
By making proper tire pressure checks a routine part of pre-trip inspections, fleets can enhance safety, lower maintenance costs, and keep trucks on the road instead of in the shop.
Best practices to keep tires in top condition
To ensure tires are roadworthy, drivers should:
- Use a tire pressure gauge for accurate readings: Relying on a proper gauge ensures each tire meets recommended PSI levels.
- Check tread depth for maximum traction and safety: Ensuring proper tread depth helps maintain grip on the road.
- Inspect for visible damage before hitting the road: Look for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects that could lead to failure.
- Monitor tire condition throughout the trip: Conditions can change, and regular checks help prevent issues before they become major problems.
Maximize fleet safety & performance with smarter tire inspections
By making accurate tire pressure checks a standard part of pre-trip inspections, drivers can improve safety, reduce tire costs, and help maintain their fleet’s compliance. The small investment of time to use a tire gauge instead of relying on "thumping" can pay off significantly in reduced downtime, fewer violations, and safer roadways.
Leveraging technology and data-driven insights using Safety Intelligence tools can help fleets stay proactive about maintenance and compliance. Advanced fleet management solutions provide real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, helping fleets prevent costly breakdowns before they happen.
To learn more about tools and support needed to keep operations running safely and efficiently, contact Nirvanatech.com.
Tires are a significant investment for any fleet, and taking care of them properly ensures safer and more efficient operations. Considering that a small patch on each tire is the only thing making contact between a truck and the roadway, it becomes even more important to ensure that tires are properly inflated and have the right amount of tread. This becomes even more crucial during the hot summer months, where an underinflated tire can overheat and lead to catastrophic failure.
Why "thumping" tires won’t prevent costly issues
It’s common to see a driver get out of their truck and start “thumping” their tires, during pre-trip checks to gauge if their tires are road-worthy. However, thumping tires may reveal if a tire is flat but won’t accurately gauge if there is enough air pressure in each tire. Imagine knocking on the fuel tank to determine how much fuel is in there. There may be a hollow sound if it’s empty, but the exercise is otherwise futile. Drivers depend on their fuel gauge to determine the amount of fuel they have, so likewise they should depend on a commercial-grade tire gauge to ensure their tires have the right air pressure.
Avoid repairs & downtime with proper tire inflation
Over or under-inflated tires pose significant risks, including:
- Blowouts and accidents: Underinflated tires generate more heat, which can lead to dangerous failures on the road.
- Decreased fuel efficiency: Improperly inflated tires increase rolling resistance, increasing fuel costs.
- Shortened tire lifespan: Imbalanced air pressure leads to uneven wear, increasing replacement expenses.
- Lack of compliance and fines: Inadequate tire inspections can lead to maintenance violations that negatively impact a fleet’s BASIC scores.
By making proper tire pressure checks a routine part of pre-trip inspections, fleets can enhance safety, lower maintenance costs, and keep trucks on the road instead of in the shop.
Best practices to keep tires in top condition
To ensure tires are roadworthy, drivers should:
- Use a tire pressure gauge for accurate readings: Relying on a proper gauge ensures each tire meets recommended PSI levels.
- Check tread depth for maximum traction and safety: Ensuring proper tread depth helps maintain grip on the road.
- Inspect for visible damage before hitting the road: Look for cuts, bulges, or embedded objects that could lead to failure.
- Monitor tire condition throughout the trip: Conditions can change, and regular checks help prevent issues before they become major problems.
Maximize fleet safety & performance with smarter tire inspections
By making accurate tire pressure checks a standard part of pre-trip inspections, drivers can improve safety, reduce tire costs, and help maintain their fleet’s compliance. The small investment of time to use a tire gauge instead of relying on "thumping" can pay off significantly in reduced downtime, fewer violations, and safer roadways.
Leveraging technology and data-driven insights using Safety Intelligence tools can help fleets stay proactive about maintenance and compliance. Advanced fleet management solutions provide real-time monitoring and predictive analytics, helping fleets prevent costly breakdowns before they happen.
To learn more about tools and support needed to keep operations running safely and efficiently, contact Nirvanatech.com.
