If you own an 18-wheeler, you have a true piece of innovative machinery. You also have a responsibility. Your 18-wheeler tires require regular maintenance to keep your truck, the driver, and all other parties around the truck. An 18-wheeler blowout on the highway could cause a massive disaster. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that tire failures cause approximately 11,000 accidents every year.
This statistic includes all kinds of vehicles, but an 18-wheeler can do more than just stop traffic. A blown 18-wheeler tire could kill someone.
Regular maintenance from a tire repair shop will help prevent such disasters.
You will spend some money and time having an 18-wheeler tire repair service look at your tires. But the benefits are worth the cost. Here are the most common benefits of having your 18-wheeler tires looked at regularly.
Safety
When you have your tires evaluated regularly, you keep everyone around your truck and the truck itself safer. Tire pressure matters so much that newer vehicles even have a tire pressure monitoring system.
An alarm will go off if your tires begin to lose pressure in new vehicles. Granted, the alarm and sensor itself may be going bad, but the idea will help you focus more on your tire pressure and stay aware of its pressure.
To perform to their best possible performance, a tire needs the optimal pressure according to the tire manufacturer. Tires with improper inflation will handle poorly. You will find yourself struggling to maintain a smooth ride.
Additionally, you may have a difficult time steering, accelerating, and braking. Your antilock brakes and traction control may even malfunction. Thus, poorly inflated tires could cause an accident even when they don’t blow out.
Fuel Efficiency
Properly inflated tires will ultimately help your vehicle run more efficiently. This means you will see your vehicle be able to go farther on less fuel with properly inflated tires than you would if have flatter tires. You will spend less money on fuel and save money just because you have inflated tires.
On a car, you can save as much as 11 cents per gallon of fuel when you have properly inflated tires. Imagine how much more of a difference that makes when your vehicle is running on 18 wheels.
Increase Tire Life
When your tires do not have the proper amount of air in them, they will wear unevenly and more quickly than when they have the correct amount of air in them. You should also avoid bad wear patterns and needing new tires earlier if you just have them inflated properly.
Fewer Emissions
When you inflate your tires properly, you use fuel more efficiently. This means you’re ultimately lowering your carbon dioxide emissions and preventing dangerous pollutants from causing environmental damage.
When you have your tires maintained, you also lower the risk of needing mobile tire repair. Your tires will run properly, and you won’t find yourself on the side of the road with a flat or blown-out tire.
Maintenance Tips
You can prevent tire repair needs by conducting basic maintenance on your own. Here are some basic tips that any truck owner can follow.
Keep Tabs on Tire Pressure
Since low pressure can cause so many problems, it only makes sense to keep an eye on your tire pressure. Check your pressure on your own whenever you prepare for a big trip. Also, carry a tire gauge with you at all times.
When you have adequate pressure, you are also ensuring you have proper weight distribution and reduced drag on your truck. Your tires will last longer, and your truck will thank you.
Rotate Your Tires
Give your commercial truck tires a break by rotating them regularly. They will wear out even more quickly if you keep them in the same place. Rotate the tires approximately every 7,000 miles to make sure you wear your tread out evenly.
Your rear tires will wear out faster than your front truck tires. So when you rotate tires, you ensure they all wear out at the same time and you have an even wear on your entire set of tires. Even tread will maximize your fuel efficiency and give you the safest ride possible.
Practice Safe Driving
Make sure you and your drivers practice safe driving habits. When you drive aggressively, you wear your tires out more quickly than if you had practiced safe driving habits. You also increase the chances of a blowout and catastrophic accident.
Look at the safety and speed rating on your tires. Then follow that rating. If you stay consistently within that range, you preserve the life of your tire.
Adhere to Inspections
Inspect your tires before you make major trips. Even on the most routine of trips, anything can happen. You may have picked up glass, stone, or nails between the tread of your tires.
Such passengers can cause problems down the road. When you inspect your tires, you find the problems at home before they become problems on the road.
Both fleet managers and drivers should inspect the tires. If you expect the other party to do the job, it may never get done. So take on some responsibility, and give your tires a once over before you get in the driver’s seat.
Choose Tires Wisely
Your tire choice should depend on your truck and load requirements. If you choose a tire meant for a different purpose, you will not maximize the tire, and you’ll end up needing new tires sooner than if you had the right equipment.
Each tire has a specific size, weather tolerance, and load capacity. When you choose the wrong tire, you will have early problems.
Reliable 18-Wheeler Tire Repair
You can prevent 18-wheeler tire problems by conducting regular inspections, choosing your tires wisely, rotating your tires, and keeping your tires properly inflated. While you will most likely still need an 18-wheeler tire repair at some point in your truck ownership career, these steps will prevent mishaps and big accidents.
Have you had problems on the road and found yourself stranded with your 18-wheeler in the past? Our 24-hour roadside assistance can help you. Contact us today and let us take care of you and your 18-wheeler.
