Truck drivers rely very heavily on their tires. Those large rings of rubber don’t just get them safely down the road, they make it possible for these men and women to make a living. So, caring for tires is a big part of the job. Seeking the expertise of trained truck repair professionals when buying, installing, or aligning tires can help to ensure that the vehicle is able to traverse the roads safely. However, it is also important to do regular inspections of your tires, between visits to the repair shop, checking for signs of damage or inflation troubles.
Inflation levels are a very important matter. Underinflated tires are subjected to undo stress on the roads. They can also heat up much more rapidly, because of the increased friction between the rubber and the road. In addition to increased heat and friction, underinflated tires tend to reduce the performance and efficiency of the vehicle. As a result, it shouldn’t be surprising that nine out of ten tire blowouts are caused by underinflation.
A tire blowout can cost a driver precious time, or could cause a serious, potentially life-threatening accident. Therefore, checking tire inflation is essential, and should be done on a very regular basis.
Fortunately, we have technology on our side these days. Tire pressure monitors are installed on many vehicles, including many truck models. That makes it much easier to gauge how well inflated tires are, and to recognize an issue with inflation, before it becomes a very big problem.
Remember, as you drive, the heat caused by friction will increase the tire pressure, so it is important, if you don’t have a dashboard digital tire pressure readout, to perform tire pressure checks consistently. That is to say that all tires should be checked at the same time and at the same temperature.