Diagnosing tire-related vibration complaints
Given the ongoing driver shortage, it is important to keep your current drivers happy. When drivers complain about vibration issues with their vehicles, it is imperative to troubleshoot and solve the problem quickly. Truck ride complaints can be initiated by many different vehicle conditions. In addition to tire and wheel assembly issues, vehicle components such
Answering four of the biggest fleet tire questions
With tires being the second-largest fleet maintenance cost next to fuel, fleet managers need to keep a close watch on how their tires are performing. Maximizing tire removal mileage, minimizing tire related roadside service calls, keeping tires properly inflated to improve fuel economy and keeping the casing in excellent condition to improve retreadability are all
The proper truck tire test procedures
New commercial tire designs and models are regularly introduced into the marketplace. Tire manufacturers are continually developing innovative tire brands utilizing the latest in material technology and tire design. Some designs are marketed for the improved fuel economy, others for better treadwear (miles/32-in.) and miles to removal. When the tire is described as having “improved
Tips for maintaining commercial tires this winter
During the winter driving season, traction in snow, ice and slushy road conditions are always a concern. A thorough inspection of tires is always important, but becomes even more so when winter begins. Tire-related roadside service calls are no fun any time of the year, but winter weather can make those situations particularly brutal. With
Balancing tire and wheel assemblies
One of the many important decisions for fleet managers is to determine whether or not balancing your tires and wheel assemblies is worth the time and cost. There are numerous benefits to initiating a tire balancing program: Vehicle ride is improved, which increases driver satisfaction and comfort; Irregular tire wear drops significantly; Tire removal mile
Why heavy-duty truck alignment is important
The two primary reasons for keeping your vehicles properly aligned are to ensure that your tires do not develop irregular wear and to keep your drivers happy. If vehicles are doglegging to the left or right, the tires’ tread will scrub off quickly and inner or outside wear will occur. With the average price of
The impact drivers have on truck tire wear
Commercial truck tires have seen significant price increases in 2017, a major reason being the increase in natural rubber pricing. The percentage of natural rubber used in truck tires is high. Natural rubber is preferred over synthetic rubber because it keeps the truck tires running cooler. Heat is a tire’s worst enemy and will adversely
Troubleshooting tire issues: Protecting the casing
With the average retail price of a new commercial truck tire in the $500 range, fleets take tire choices seriously. A typical 18-wheeler may have an investment of $8,000-plus in tires for a single tractor-trailer. Every fleet manager has a similar goal of maximizing tire removal mileage down to their fleet’s tread depth pull point.
Optimizing truck tire inflation pressure in the summer
The sweltering summer season is when the nation’s highways seem to have more tire debris littering the roads. These road alligators can be dangerous. Drivers slaloming to avoid the alligators can cause accidents. If you do run over this road debris, the combination of steel and rubber can damage your vehicle and sometimes even fly
What do fleets expect from their tires?
Tires continue to be the second highest maintenance cost for fleets, just behind fuel. Yet the initial buying price of the tire is usually not the reason a fleet will spec a specific tire make/model—unless the purchasing department, not the maintenance director, is the final decision maker. Cost per mile over the lifetime of the
The impact tires have on fuel economy
Improving vehicle fuel economy is always important from a financial perspective for any fleet. Moving from 6.5 to 6.6 MPG may seem like a small improvement, but it can equate to millions of dollars per year in savings to a large fleet’s bottom line, and it’s still significant savings for a medium-size fleet as well.
Tips for checking truck tire pressure
Every tire manufacturer is constantly preaching the importance of maintaining proper tire inflation when it comes to maximizing tire treadwear, increasing casing retreadability, improving fuel economy and lowering cost per mile. Visibly inspecting tires and checking tire pressures are recommended on a regular basis. “Regular” for some fleets may mean every day, once a week