It’s important to have your big rig’s tires professionally inspected and maintained on a regular schedule, but drivers should also know and understand the basics of truck tires. Here are some of the dangers of driving on semi tires in Ocala, FL that are over-inflated or under-inflated.
Dangers of over-inflated tires
Gas mileage, driving safety and tire wear and tear can all be affected by improperly inflated truck tires. Consult your manual for the recommended tire pressure in pounds per square inch (psi), and always double check the psi for each tire after filling:
- A huge danger of driving on tires filled with too much air is poor handling. Over-inflated truck tires will have a more difficult time gripping the road. Sure, this could result in better gas mileage, but it also means the driver will experience reduced handling and traction. Additionally, roads covered in snow, ice or rain will make the problem worse. The combination of these factors increases your risk of having an accident. But if nothing else, poor handling will often result in an uncomfortable ride due to excessive vibration and rough rolling.
- If tires are over-inflated, the first thing you might think of is bursting. Improper tire inflation of any type causes vehicle tires to overheat, which increases the risk of blowouts. A tire blowout is when the entire structure of the tire falls apart, causing the driver to lose nearly all control of the truck. Losing control during a blowout could lead to a serious accident.
- Premature tire wear on over-inflated tires is common, as being stiffer makes them more susceptible to damage from running over potholes or hitting curbs. Additionally, the tread on tires that are over-inflated tends to wear out faster at the center of the tire. This means you will have to replace the tires sooner, or risk receiving a penalty for driving on unsafe, over-inflated semi truck tires.
Dangers of under-inflated tires
Under-inflated tires are dangerous. Just like driving on over-inflated truck tires, significantly under-inflated tires can overheat. Heat builds up in the tire, which can lead to tread separation. For safety’s sake, check your truck tires’ pressure often:
- One of the leading causes of truck tire failure is under-inflation. When tire pressure is too low, too much of the tire’s surface area makes contact with the road. This type of excessive contact increases friction, which can cause tires to overheat and even catch fire. If an under-inflated tire does not rupture right away, you can still run into premature wear, blowouts and tread separation.
- Tire blowouts don’t put just the truck driver in danger, but everyone around them as well. A semi truck blowout could cause the driver to lose control and crash. It can also cause nearby motorists to have to swerve in all directions in order to avoid an accident and pieces of flying tire debris.
If you need replacement semi tires in Ocala, FL, don’t hesitate to contact J & M Trailer Repair. Reach out to us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.