Checking tires is an essential, but often ignored, task for road safety. Many people aren’t sure how to do it. Tires that are not roadworthy can be dangerous. They are the only point of contact between the road and your vehicle, and the air inside your tires supports the vehicle's weight. Tires in perfect condition will ensure your driving experience is free from disruptions while giving you a safe drive. Poorly maintained tires can be hazardous and inefficient.
Middle Eastern & African countries often have extreme weather conditions which can impact road and driving conditions and demand more from your tires. Whether on desert roads or in excessive heat, driving and maintaining your fleet will be more challenging, making tire checks a critical component.
Checking your tires is a necessary and essential step for every driver. As part of their pre-trip inspection, drivers should walk around and check each tire. Before every journey, steer, drive, and trailer tires should be checked.
Regular weekly check-ups are beneficial, but it’s important to at least get your tires checked once per month. Look for signs of bulging, cuts, bumps, exposed cords, or tears to the tire wall. Take your vehicle to a local garage for inspection if you find anything unusual.
As per international standards, a minimum tread depth of 1.6 mm is required for all tires. Tread depth can be inspected visually, but a depth gauge is the easiest way to check your tires tread. A tire with low tread depth can blow out if it hits debris. Report low tire treads to your fleet manager. These tires can be re-grooved or re-treaded if they reach these levels.
Deflated tires can cause uneven wear and fuel waste, and are also significant cause for blowouts. The correct air pressure in your vehicle’s tires helps distribute your vehicle's weight evenly across the tread pattern, ensuring stability. Knowing the air pressure requirements for your vehicle is important, and your fleet manager can also help guide you with the appropriate amount of tire pressure needed per your fleet’s requirements. You can spot deflated tires by their look and feel. Before heading out on the road, checking cold tires will give you the exact air pressure for steer, drive, and trailer tires.
Underinflated tires impact rolling resistance, resulting in more fuel usage and increased CO2 emissions. Overinflated tires will wear more quickly. They also have a smaller point of contact with the road, lesser traction, and increased braking distances.
During your vehicle inspection, check tire sidewalls for damage and air leaks. Loss of tire pressure, immediate tire deflation while driving, wobbling wheels, or difficult steering may indicate a tire puncture. Always make a thorough inspection. Replace valve caps if missing and keep spare valve caps in your vehicle.
If your vehicle uses dual tires, check for unusual objects such as rocks, stones, or debris that may be wedged between them. Such objects can fly out at high speeds while driving which may cause harm. Both tires should have uniform pressure to prevent dual touching and damage to the inner sidewalls of both tires. Tread depth and tread pattern on both tires fitted in dual position must match; any difference can cause accelerated wear. Tire tread depth distance should not exceed 3 mm in dual tires.
Uneven wear may be caused by incorrect air pressure, overloaded tires, or wheel misalignment. A pre-trip inspection can help you address these difficulties.
Checking tires is recommended once every two weeks to protect against deflation. Uneven and excessive tread wear can result from delaying tire checks.
Replace tires every 5 to 6 years for your vehicle's safety, even if the tread is not worn out. Regular inspections and testing will help you determine if your tires need to be replaced more often. Contact our Pilot Tyres staff, who are happy to provide you with customized solutions for your fleet. We understand your requirements are unique, and we’ll help you keep your tires safe and secure for any challenge they may face.
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