Why tire care is important

Posted & filed under England Carrier Services.

Tires are one of the transportation industry’s top major expenses, accounting for approximately 2% of overall costs. When purchasing tires, many trucking businesses only think of the up-front costs of the tires. Improper tire care can affect productivity, uptime and fuel efficiency, costing you lots of time and money. The better the tire care, the longer they’ll last and keep your money in your pocket. Here are four ways you can prolong the life of your tires:

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure

Maintaining proper tire pressure is the number one way to prevent tire failures on the road. Ensure tires are inflated to the recommended air pressure to extend the life of the tire and help with fuel economy. According to the US Department of Energy, gas mileage is improved by up to 3.3 percent when tires are properly inflated.

Conduct Pre-Trip Inspections

Pre-trip inspections are always recommended for proper tire care, but are you doing them for every trip? You should be. Checking for proper inflation, looking for visual warning signs such as cuts, cracks, irregular wear and bulges in the tire can save you delays down the road. No one wants to be stuck waiting for roadside service when the tire issue could have been avoided.

Inspect Tire for Proper Tread Depth

Tires that are nearing the end of their tread life are more susceptible to punctures or cuts. Also, once the grooves wear down, the tire is unable to channel water from beneath the tread, making you more susceptible to hydroplaning. When inspecting your tires, note that steer tires must have 4/32nd of an inch tread depth and all other tires must have 2/32ndtread.

Rotate Tires Regularly

Yes, rotating tires takes time, and some see this task as a nuisance. But the position of the tire, the load distribution and the proper alignment all determine how a tire will wear. Rotating tires every 6,000 to 8,000 miles helps distribute tread wear evenly and tires last longer.

By following these simple tips, you can increase the life of your tires. You will also increase your fuel efficiency and avoid downtime caused by roadside tire emergencies.

 

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The England Carrier Services (ECS) division offers a variety of services for carriers ranging from maintenance to support. As ECS members, carriers have access to nationwide discounts on fuel and tires from dedicated team members who are committed to finding the best price. ECS also provides factoring services with benefits such as same-day funding to a bank account or fuel card. These options allow carriers the freedom to focus on growing their business while saving time and money.