Keep Your Truck’s Tires in Good Shape for A Safer Ride
Every component of your truck is important for fast, safe deliveries – but few parts are more important than your tires. Everything is riding on them, literally, and worn-down tires can quickly cause problems. They can become a major hazard on slick roads, as well as reducing your fuel efficiency.
C&M Motors is always here to provide commercial truck repairs when needed, but it’s best if you can avoid problems with your tires at all. Here are a few tips!
1 – Preventing Uneven Tire Wear
Tires, of course, wear down over time – but it’s best if both tires on an axle wear down at roughly the same rate. Uneven tire wear decreases the lifespan of your tires and risks a loss of control in difficult situations.
You can reduce uneven wear by:
- Keeping your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended PSI.
- Avoiding high-force braking.
- Maintaining your suspension.
- Regularly rotating and balancing your tires at a commercial truck repair shop.
2 – The Importance of Tire Rotating, Balancing, And Alignment
These are the main forms of maintenance you should regularly give your tires.
Tire Rotating means moving tires around to different spots on the truck, to help them wear more evenly.
Tire Balancing reduces the negative effects of unevenly worn or slightly misshapen tires.
Tire Alignment ensures they’re all properly pointed exactly down the road.
All three services are necessary to get the best life and performance from your tires. Experts recommend contacting a commercial truck repair shop every 5,000-6,000 miles to keep your tires rolling smoothly.
3 – Know your truck tire numbers
Every tire sold in the US has a series of numbers on it which communicate a lot of information about the tire. For example: LT215/65R15 95H.
- LT = “Light truck,” the intended use of the tire
- 215 = the tire width in millimeters.
- 65 = The proportion of the tire’s height to its width, as a percentage.
- R = Radial, the tire’s construction.
- 15 = The size of the wheel the tire is intended for, in inches.
- 95 = How much weight, in pounds, the tire can support.
- H = The maximum speed the tire is rated for, A-H. Here, H means 130MPH.
Knowing these codes will help you select the right tire for your truck and job!
C&M Motors are your source for Hino trucks, as well as commercial truck repairs for all types of vehicles. If you’re having tire trouble in San Diego, contact us for assistance!
