Underinflated, overinflated, or misaligned tires are responsible for most of the trucks you see stranded on the side of the interstate. Something so simple, yet many truck drivers and owners just forget to constantly check them. There are a few things to remember when checking and inflating your tires.
Heat
As you probably know, heat causes the air pressure to rise in tires. There are many different ways for the tires to attract heat and expand, such as the outside temperature, the speed you’re traveling, and type of surface you’re traveling on (concrete, asphalt, etc.) will cause a tire to increase in pressure. Avoid checking the pressure when you’ve been driving for a while or when it’s extremely hot outside, as you can get false readings. As the tires begin to cool down, they will revert back to their intended pressure. Tires are made to handle over-inflation caused by heat, though when combined with human over-inflation, the consequences can be dire.
Cold
That’s exactly why the cold is polar opposite of the heat, and even more dangerous. By checking your tire pressure one frosty morning, it may be reading 10 PSI lower than what it really is once it gets warmed up to room temperature. The worst thing you could do is inflate it when it’s overly cold, as the tires will increase pressure over time from temperature changes and driving.
If you’re having problems with your tires, or if you notice uneven wear, bring it in to J&M Truck and Trailer Repair. We are authorized Bridgestone and Michelin dealers who will get you a truck alignment and affordable replacement very quickly. We’ll be able to show you real-life examples of fluctuations in tire pressure and how to properly maintain them in order to increase their life span and save you money.