Top 10 Truck and Bus Tyre Maintenance Tips and Guide

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By Priya SinghUpdated On: 24-Feb-2023 10:19 AM

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ByPriya Singh |Updated On: 24-Feb-2023 10:19 AM

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These ten tyre maintenance suggestions and guidelines will assist you in keeping the tyres of your commercial vehicles in good condition.

Do you maintain your trucks/buses on a regular basis? Most of us would say yes because when we hear the phrase "maintain" we immediately think of services like regular oil changes, brake operation, fuel efficiency, engine servicing and performance, and so on. But, we fail to maintain tyres on regular basis.

Tyres, along with employees and fuel, are one of the three major ongoing costs of running a trucking business or logistics firm, as every truck operator is aware. Tyres also account for roughly one-third of a truck's fuel consumption in order to overcome rolling resistance.

Regular tyre inspection is crucial since the movement of a heavy vehicle is dependent on the durability of tyres running on various road surfaces. With proper tyre pressure, mileage also improves. Replace worn tyres with properly inflated tyres.

In today's hurried urban life, our attention is mostly limited to the exterior of the automobile, while other critical components of the trucks and buses, such as tyres, are neglected. So, let's get started on some tyre maintenance tips for your commercial vehicle. These ten tyre maintenance suggestions and guidelines will assist you in keeping the tyres of your commercial vehicles in good condition.

Tyre Replacement

Tyre life varies depending on the vehicle and the kind of tyre. As a result, picking a vehicle and its tires is critical, with your driving habits and practices in mind. If you frequently drive in adverse weather or on bad roads, your tyres will wear out faster. In such cases, you must replace the tyres as soon as the tread wear indicator appears.

According to experts, the ideal period to replace an old tyre with a new one is between 6 and 10 years. Here, 6 years is regarded as best, but 10 years is the ultimate limit, and only if you find every part of the tyre to be in good condition. Tyre wear and tear are also affected by factors such as driving style, the total amount of kilometres travelled, weather conditions in the location, and so on.

Another crucial thing to look for is the tyre manufacturing date, which is inscribed on the side walls of the tyre and can also play a role in tyre replacement.

Maintain uniform tyre size and type

While evaluating tyre maintenance advice, keep in mind that maintaining uniform tyre size and type is frequently beneficial to tyre health.

Experts recommend using the same size and type of tyre on all four wheel positions unless the manufacturer specifies different sizes for the front and rear. This can be verified by consulting the vehicle's owner's manual.

If you see multiple types of tyres mixed on a vehicle in any arrangement, avoid using them for an extended period of time and always drive slowly. Look for the manufacturer's handbook for suggestions and recommendations.

Maintain Air Pressure

Everyone can agree on one tire maintenance tip: the most important aspect of tire maintenance is keeping tires properly inflated.

Accurate tyre inflation improves your driving safety while also extending the life of your tires. Checking the tyre pressure at least once every 2-4 weeks is thus advised. To avoid driving annoyance, keep the inflation pressure within the prescribed parameters.

The recommended specifications for your tyres can be found in your tyre manual. Overinflated or underinflated tyres will both impair your vehicle's performance on a daily basis. Overinflated tyres have less contact with the road surface; also, the side wall reduces flexibility and impacts road adhesion, resulting in restricted vehicle control.

Furthermore, underinflated tyres reduce overall tyre diameter and increase sidewall flexing, making vehicle handling problematic at various phases.

Check the diameter of the wheel bolts

The automaker will normally supply wheel bolts. You have to simply ensure that the bolts used are neither too short nor too long

In both circumstances, they have the potential to become adversaries. If they are too short, the wheel may pop out, and if they are too long, the suspension of the automobile may be damaged. Inspect them and have them replaced with the proper size.

Rotate your tyres

Tyre rotation is suggested every 5000 kilometres or if there is uneven wear of the tyre locations. While rotating tyres, ensure that all tyres receive equal exposure to the road. Tyre rotation at regular intervals ensures that all tyres wear evenly and that no tyre is overworked or underworked.

Maintain a smooth driving style.

Many times, you drive harshly or at high speeds, and when you see an obstacle on the road, you try to stop the vehicle promptly by applying emergency brakes. Though the vehicle comes to a halt, the tyres bear the brunt of the damage.

Harsh braking has a direct impact on the life of your automobile tyres, resulting in premature wear. As a result, it is always recommended to drive at a neutral pace to avoid repeatedly applying the brakes. Reckless driving and frequent stops cause the tyre to lose tread much faster than intended.

ALSO READ: Tyres: All You Need to Know

Use the jack with caution

A hydraulic jack should be used when changing the tyre because it is safe and easy to use, as well as reliable for the person replacing the tyre. If a hydraulic jack is not available, the ordinary jack supplied by the manufacturer will suffice. Remember to keep the area/base where the ruptured tyre is being swapped even and rigid.

Avoid Monsoon Hydroplaning

During the rainy season, tires are more prone to premature wear and tear. It is especially difficult to travel through waterlogged areas with such tyres. There is a risk of hydroplaning. As a result, it is recommended that drivers plan ahead of time and take preventative measures to avoid such circumstances.

The best precaution is to avoid tread wear. If your tyre tread is worn out, replace it before the monsoon begins to avoid hydroplaning. This allows you to drive in adverse road conditions without experiencing large delays.

Keep tyres in a secure location

To store the tyres, you must first clean them and choose their position (lying or standing). Always keep tyres in a cool, dry place free from chemicals and substances such as grease and petroleum products. Furthermore, the tyre storage location should be maintained away from hot pipes and electric motors, as well as from direct sunshine and heat. Stagnant water is another tyre enemy, so make sure there is no risk of water forming inside the tyres.

Prolonged exposure to the aforementioned substances can cause inner weakening and early degeneration of tyres that are prone to sudden failure.

Wheel alignment and Balancing

A wheel alignment is a necessary part of routine vehicle maintenance in which the angles of the wheels are changed according to the vehicle manufacturer's guidelines.

The goal of these changes is to get the most life out of a tyre, to ensure even wear on all four tyres, and to ensure that the vehicle travels upright and accurately when driven on a straight and level road. Wheel alignment is required every 5,000 kilometres or anytime there is asymmetrical wear on the tyre.

ALSO READ: Why is wheel balancing important?

Optional Tyre Maintenance Suggestions

Here are some additional suggestions to help you.

1. Deeper tread tyres should be installed on the back axle.
2. Avoid using tyres with various speed ratings in the same vehicle.
3. When changing tyres, seek guidance from dealers and professionals on rim width and product selection.
4. When fitting snow or all-season tyres on performance vehicles, always use sets of four.