Tips to keep your truck tires in good condition

The good condition of our tires should be one of our main concerns before starting a trip. We must bear in mind that they are the last link between the truck and the road and keeping them in optimal conditions must be a priority if we want to avoid surprises when we are at the wheel.

Although this reason should be enough to keep an eye on your wheels, we must also consider that poor maintenance of them can affect our pockets. A tire in bad condition makes our truck circulate in a way that is not ideal, affecting the vehicle as a whole. That means that we will spend more fuel, something not recommended in the current times. Besides, other parts of the truck, such as the brakes, will have to do extra job to compensate for the function the tires do not perform, and we will be forced to change them early.

Now that we have managed to convince you that you have to pay special attention to this component, we are going to give you a series of tips so that you do not have to worry on your routes about a blowout or a puncture that could cause you to lose valuable hours of work.

Truck tyres pression

Checking tire pressure is a quick and easy task, but it is also the basis for good operation. It doesn't matter if your truck has not been on the road for a long time or if you have driven thousands of kilometres. Tires go flat, and if we don't keep them at the right pressure, we increase the risk of accidents, fuel costs, and wear and tear. Since there will not always be a gas station nearby, you can buy a portable inflator that you can always carry with you.

The perfect balance

Following in this line of combining safety and savings is the balancing of the tires. It is essential to do it every time you replace a wheel, as it helps prevent premature wear and tear and eliminates vibrations. It also protects the vehicle's suspension, steering, and transmission and, as a result, helps to make your driving easier.

Trust your eyes

As a professional carrier, you have been on the road for many years. This means that you have accumulated a lot of experience in keeping your truck in top shape, and this is something you should take advantage of. So, trust your instincts and your eyesight to inspect any damage, tears, or signs of wear on the outside of your tire. You may even find a nail that is crushing the rubber.

Tire surface care, a key issue

As we said at the beginning, the tire is the last "trench" between the vehicle and the asphalt. And the treads are the defences that prevent that blowout. There is a quick trick that can guide you. If you place a one-euro coin on one of the treads and you can see the gold edge, it means that tire needs to be replaced. Sometimes it may seem that they are fine to the naked eye, and then we get an unpleasant surprise. In this sense, you should also keep in mind that, even if they appear to be in relatively good condition, tires have a recommended service life, and it is not a good idea to exceed a certain mileage.

Valves: small but tough

Another aspect you should not neglect is the valves and caps, usually made of rubber. This means that, over time, they will wear out and could cause leaks. It is also quite common for them to accumulate dirt, so ideally, replace them whenever you change tires.

Watch out for dual tires

Some trucks, especially those with more tonnage, usually have two tires in parallel. This provides safety but, at the same time, creates a gap through which unthinkable things can slip. So when you check your tires, make sure that there are no foreign objects between them that could cause a puncture.

A flawless tire is a thankful tire

Dirt, a poorly paved road, salt in winter... There are countless reasons why a tire ends up full of dirt after every trip. However, if you wash them often (with, for example, a water pressure gun), not only will they look enviable, but you will also be removing elements that, if left on the surface for a long time, can end up causing corrosion and very costly damage.

Drive carefully

The last tip is the most obvious and depends mostly on the driver: accelerating and braking sharply, turning at high speeds... All these bad practices not only put you in danger but also literally consume the life of your tires. Driving calm, respecting speed limits, and gently, will allow you to extend the life of your tires as much as possible.