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Hanksugi Tyres - Well known truck tyre manufacturer has built a reputation around the globe.
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Hanksugi Tyres - Well known truck tyre manufacturer has built a reputation around the globe.
The truck tyre properties evolve with time and will depend on various factors like: the climat, the storage conditions (temperature, humidity, position, etc.) and the conditions of use (speed, load, pressure, wheels, etc.) Understanding them, maintaining them and monitoring them should be a top priority for truckers, fleet owners and technicians alike. The plain fact that they are expensive—$500 apiece on average—begs the question: how many miles can you expect out of them?
How long do truck Tires Last?
The short answer in the trucking community and tire manufacturing world is 3 – 6 years. Mileage estimates between 40,000-70,000km.
The lifecycle of a truck tire depends on many factors, starting with the quality of the tires you buy. The application plays a role, too. Heavy long hauls or local driving with lots of stops and starts? Choosing the wrong tire shortens lifespan. Excessive torque accelerates wear as well as damage from road hazards or accidents.
Considering all this, perhaps the best answer to the question is that if you understand how to take care of your tires, not only will they last longer, but they’ll also save you more money on fuel, keep you safer, need replacing less often and just ride better.
When to replace your truck tires? /Know when your tires time is up
According to legal safety standards in the U.S., a tire's tread needs to be at least 2/32” deep. If the tires do not meet the 2/32” standard or are approaching not meeting it, you should replace your tires. To measure, use the penny test. Slide a penny into the tread of your tires with Lincoln’s head upside down and facing toward you. If you can see the top of his head, your tire has less than 2/32” of tread. Aging is also a factor. Many tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires after six years regardless of wear.
Signs That Your Tires Need to Be Replaced
The following tips will help you determine if your tires are worn and must be replaced soon.
● Tread Wear
A tire's tread depth is measured in 32nds of an inch. New tires have tread material from 9/32″ to 11/32″. A tire is considered unsafe when the tread is worn down to 2/32″. Using the penny test method or a tread depth gauge, you can identify the tread depth to replace tires. Many ask us, “Is the penny test for tires accurate? “ For the most part, the penny test is very reliable. We encourage people to use it as a starting point.
● Bubbles and Bulges
A bulge on your tire usually indicates that the rigid internal frame of the tire has been damaged, allowing air pressure to reach the flexible outer layers of the tire. Any tires with sidewall bulges or bubbles should be replaced immediately, even if the tread status is acceptable.
● Vibration
If your tires have been worn down unevenly, you may feel a vibration in the steering wheel when driving. Vibration can also be caused by poor alignment, so it is essential to have a tire professional determine the cause of the beat.
● Sidewall Cuts or Cracks
Tire age is a common cause of tire sidewall cracking. All tires are subjected to different harsh conditions, so the rubber in the tires naturally degrades over time. Imagine an old rubber band that’s brittle and easily broken. The same effect happens to tires, even if the tires aren’t in use and stored in a place where cracking can occur. Typically, cracking is caused by sunlight, excessive heat, road surfactants, and ozone exposure. Conversely, cuts are usually caused by force – like hitting a rock or something sharp.
● Embedded nails or stones
If something is lodged in the tire, the issue must be addressed immediately. Even if the hole isn’t causing excessive leaking, ignoring a spot from something like a nail can lead to later problems for the driver. Moisture can leak into the tire, causing the steel parts to rust. Lodged items can weaken the area of the tire and possibly lead to dangerous blowouts if not dealt with promptly.
● Visible damage
Abnormal wear patterns could indicate wheel misalignment, improper inflation pressure, a need for a tire rotation, or perhaps all of the above.
● Damaged valve caps
If the lid can't be tightened enough, it will continuously loosen. If it is too tight, the thread on the stem may become stripped. A damaged valve cap can leak air, allowing dirt, moisture, and debris to enter the tire.
How to properly maintain commercial tires
Inflate properly
Maintaining proper tire inflation is the most important step in commercial tire maintenance. It's the key to getting your tires to absorb tread wear evenly and having a good tread footprint. Uneven tread wear will quickly reduce tire life, so you must focus on achieving that.
Consider the load your trucks carry
Load management goes hand-in-hand with tire inflation. You can do more good for your truck tires by maintaining air pressure based on the load they carry regularly. Make sure that the air pressure inside them matches their load rating so they can carry the weight they are meant to. Don't overinflate because that will only harm them.
TIRE ALIGNMENT
Misalignments can shorten the life span of tires and trucks. Irregular tire wear is a key indicator that tires are not properly aligned. Commercial vehicles should go in for a wheel alignment every 80,000 to 100,000 miles, which is also roughly the same frequency for replacing steer tires.
Do a daily walkaround
Not only is it good tire maintenance practice, it's the law as part of the driver vehicle inspection report. Look for cuts or bulges and check the inflation, valve caps and tread wear.
Truck tyre supplier specializing in the tyre manufacturing industry for many years.
