Summer weather can be brutal on tires and can contribute to blow-outs and other problems. As the weather gets warmer, stay on top of this critical vehicle system – your tires. Here are some summer weather tire survival tips to follow.
- Check the condition of your tires every day during the pre-trip inspection process. Watch for anything out of the ordinary (such as signs of uneven wear or sidewall damage) and listen for air leaks.
- Check the air pressure regularly. Know what your company’s tire air pressure requirements are and notify your maintenance department if you have a tire that seems to be having a problem maintaining proper air pressure.
- Keep an eye on the tire tread depth during each pre-trip inspection and during the trip. Tread wearing unevenly is a sign of improper air pressure. Also, a tire with low tread depth is more susceptible to blowing out due to hitting road debris.
- Check the air pressure when the tire is cold (suggested at the start of a pre-trip inspection or prior to starting out on the day’s trip).
- Remember that low air pressure is one of the primary causes of tire problems and can lead to blow-outs and possible tire fires.
- Replace missing valve caps on the stems without delay.
- If you hit a significant chunk of road debris during your trip, check the condition of the vehicle’s tires and other systems, as soon as possible, by finding a safe place to stop and park.
- Remember to check between dual tires for any signs of obstructions or objects that may have become lodged there.
- For all tire-related FMCSA regulations, review part 393.75.
- For all tire-related Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance Out Of Service conditions, check the CVSA Out of Service guide’s vehicle section.
Do you know what the CVSA’s definition of a flat tire is?
Answer: Tire has a noticeable leak (can be heard or felt), or has 50% or less of the maximum inflation pressure marked on the tire sidewall.
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