In a recent Noregon YouTube video, tire expert Mike McGuinness from Double Coin Tire discussed some tips for managing winter tires, starting with the more obvious ones—ice, snow, and air pressure.
Ice and snow are not natural driving conditions, whether you’re a professional trucker or a regular person driving your car around town. So that has to be everyone’s most significant concern—maintaining traction at an appropriate speed for the conditions. Mike says once you get that under control, “You have to start considering air pressure, which you always have to be concerned about, regardless of the season.
“Air pressure in your tires decreases as the temperature drops, following a general rule of thumb: for every 10°F (about 5.6°C) decrease in temperature, tire pressure drops by about 1-2 psi (pounds per square inch). Mike cited an example in his home state of Ohio, where a cold front is coming through where the temperature will drop from the 70s to the 30s and 40s. That translates to possibly eight to 10 to 12 pounds of psi dropping out, close to a flat tire condition.
The air inside your tires expands when it’s warm and contracts when it’s cold, and if left unchecked, it can lead to reduced fuel efficiency, poor handling and braking performance, and increased tire wear.
Here are the top seven tips from Work Truck Online. More can be found here.
Maintain proper tire pressure all year long
For the most accurate pressure reading, check tire pressure first thing in the morning or after the tires haven’t been in operation for several hours.
Watch for low tread and slippery roads
Don’t ever mix treads on the rear axles of dual-wheeled vehicles; this will create uneven wear and may result in a loss of traction. Steer tires must have at least 4/32 inches of tread depth, and all other tires must have 2/32 inches.
A tread-depth gauge is an inexpensive tool that can help keep your drivers safe and your trucks on the road.
Ensure proper tire balance for even wear
The consequences of steer tires that are out of balance or improperly aligned are amplified on slick or snow-covered roads. In addition to the excessive vibration and corresponding loss of control, improper balance and alignment will cause irregular wear and reduce the life of your tire.
Beware of ‘winter wear-and-tear’ on tires
Most tire troubles occur in the springtime, not because spring weather is harsh on tires, but because of winter wear. When all-season tires are exposed to extreme temperatures for an extended time, the chemical compounds break down and lose their elasticity. Tires become more brittle and prone to excess wear.
Check the inner tires regularly
On dual-wheel vehicles, the inside tire often gets neglected. Admittedly, checking the pressure and tread on inner tires can be physically taxing, but it’s vital to include them in your driver’s pre-trip checklist.
Commit to simple driver training for tire maintenance
Shockingly, only 17% of drivers know how to check the pressure in their tires properly, and 50% don’t know the proper inflation for their vehicle’s tires. The related statistics don’t improve: 21% of vehicle defect accidents are due to improper tire pressure, and 50% of emergency roadside service calls are tire-related.
Remember, tires are the foundation of driver safety
Many fleets make wise investments in advanced safety features that can go a long way to keep your fleet on the road all winter. But even the best brake systems, stability systems, and advanced driver assistance technology can fail if the tires aren’t inflated properly.
It doesn’t matter if your fleet is headed across town or the country. By ensuring that your tires are ready for winter, you can dramatically improve the safety of your drivers and the public.
