Winter is here. Not just any winter, but a historically cold one that’s breaking records all over! New York hasn’t been above freezing for days and even Charleston, SC has received 8 inches of snow!
Wherever you are, you’re probably bundled up and want to stay warm. It would literally be the worst time to have a tire issue because you would have to go out and fix it in freezing temperatures! Don’t let a break down happen, prep your tires for the worst with these winter tire care tips!
Winter Tire Care Tips To Keep You Rollin’
During the winter it’s best to be more alert. Generally, the driving conditions can darker, icer, and much snowier than other seasons. It can be difficult to see structures like curbs and sidewalls.
You will really want to look out for these objects because hitting them makes your tires more susceptible to impact breaks. If you have a puncture from hitting one of these objects you may not know until your tire fails later.
You will also want to take the time to really check on your tires to look for punctures or damage. Signs of a slow leaking punctures include irregular wear, lower tire pressure, cuts and snags.
Driving with lower tire pressure extends the footprint of your tire which gives you more traction. This can be helpful to give you more control while maneuvering through snow and ice, but dangerous in other situations.
Underinflated tires will heat up faster, especially at higher speeds and can result in premature failure, blowouts, and fires, which all do not sound very fun. Underinflated tires can also lead to weakened sidewalls and can put more pressure on the carcass. You can always call your maintenance department to check on the minimum tire pressure for your load if you’re unsure.
Check the tire tread, because when your tire tread is low the chances of your tires blowing when they hit debris is increased. Keep in mind that the recommended tire tread depth is 4/32 of an inch for a steer tire.
Another sign of low tire pressure is uneven wear around the shoulders. However, neglecting your regular tire maintenance will also cause them to wear unevenly. Be sure to rotate and align your tires often.
Rotating and aligning your tires will provide a smoother ride and will prevent suspension damage. It will also help your truck from pulling to the side and causing your tires to wear faster.
Also, if your tires are overinflated the side walls become harder than normal. This can reduce traction, reduce performance cause uneven wear, and increase the chances for blowouts. Overinflated tires are bouncier too, so your ride can be less comfortable.
We know that you don’t want your truck to look dirty after hauling through snowy areas, so you will wash off all the salt and grime. When washing your truck be sure to include the tires! Cleaning off all the debris and chemicals will help prevent premature wear.
Stay Safe And Warm!
Thank you for all of your hard work during one of the most grueling winters in history so far. It’s not easy trucking through winter weather and we hope you don’t break down or have to stop due to a tire issue.
Please share your winter care tips in the comment section below and visit ExpressTruckTax.com for more trucking blogs.