Even if you’ve never experienced a tire blowout first hand, you’ve undoubtedly seen the evidence of blowouts scattered along the side of the road. Massive chunks of old tires curled up on the highway’s shoulder are sure signs that some poor truck driver had a bad day. Blowouts are no fun. Fortunately, there are several known causes for them, so they can be avoided fairly easily if you’re a diligent about maintaining your rig, and if you’re careful driver:
- Under-inflation: Tires without enough air in them are probably the main cause of blowouts across the country. Sadly, checking your tires is also probably the easiest thing to do. In other words, if truck drivers (and drivers in general) would stop to check their tire pressure a little more often, we’d see a lot fewer blowouts on the highway. It’s recommended that tire pressure should be checked at least once a week. According to a survey conducted by the Department of Transportation, 56 percent of tires and 22 percent of dual sets are 5 psi off of where they should be, and 22 percent of vehicles have one tire under-inflated by more than 20 psi. Most shocking is that 41 percent of surveyed fleets had at least one inflation issue. Don’t be a statistic and run the risk of a blowout—stop and check your semi truck tires in Ocala, FL!
- Overloading: Too much weight in your truck is not only bad for your suspension—it can also be a disaster for your tires. This problem is multiplied if your tires happen to be under-inflated. Make sure you’re always hauling the proper amount of weight for your truck’s tires.
- Wrong tire selection: Always make sure you’re putting the correct tires on your truck each time you replace them. If you’re unsure which tires are right for your rig, consult the vehicle’s owner’s manual.
- Potholes: The constant freezing and thawing of cracks in our roads makes potholes an inevitable part of life. It seems like every time one pothole is fixed by a road crew, two more pop up. While they’re unavoidable, potholes don’t have to be the cause of a blowout. Go over them slowly and you’re guaranteed to improve the lifespan of all of your tires, as well as to reduce the risk of a blowout.
- Wear and tear: Like most aspects of your truck, tires have a finite lifespan. Being out on the open road slowly wears tires down over time, which is why they need to be replaced every so often. Make sure you’re always keeping an eye on your tires’ tread and replacing them when necessary. Misalignment is a major cause of premature wear. If you think something is out of whack, don’t wait too long before having the problem inspected by a professional. The last thing you want is the combination of an improperly aligned truck and bad wheels.
Call J & M Trailer Repair to find out about our special pricing on select semi truck tires in Ocala, FL. But hurry and call today, because these specials won’t last forever!