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7 Tire Care Tips for Long Lasting Tires

Keep your tires rolling like a dream with these 7 tire care tips for long lasting tires that you can not afford to skip.

One of the most common reasons why tire failures happen while driving is a low leak. There could be a leak in one of the tires that's so slow; you don't notice it until it's too late. This is true for regular vehicles and for fleet vehicles. 

The only difference being that fleet vehicles are much more prone to having tires issues. Why? Because as a truck driver or fleet manager, your truck and its tires are on the road much more often than other types of vehicles. 

Fleet vehicles are prone to more wear and tear and in return, need the proper tire care. Because you rely on your truck, which relies on its tires, it's essential that you know how to properly care for the tires. Proper care can also extend the life of the tires and reduce your chances of having issues while on the road.

Don't find yourself stranded with a flat or another tire issue. Continue reading below for seven tire care tips to help make those tires last as long as possible.

1. Don't Feel Pressured

We don't want you to feel pressured by your tires to pull over and fix an issue. What we do want you to feel compelled to do is check your tire pressure frequently. Know how much pressure each tire is supposed to have and ensure every single one is where it should be. 

Low tire pressure or even high tire pressure can cause tire issues. Having the wrong amount of tire pressure can also lead to bad fuel economy, which means you'll have to stop more often to fill up. Avoid all of this by completing regular tire pressure checks. 

If even one tire is off, make sure to fix it before getting on the road. 

2. A Little Rotation Won't Hurt Anyone

Okay, so rotating your hip out of place might hurt a bit, but we're talking tires here. Just like with regular vehicles, you'll need to rotate the tires on your fleet vehicle regularly as well. 

You should consider having the tires rotated every 6,000-7,000 miles. Keeping up with this schedule will help evenly distribute the wear and tear that's placed on the treads. For many fleet vehicles, the majority of the wear and tear on the treads are on the back tires. 

You'll notice these becoming more worn down than the front ones and will need to be rotated to keep the back ones from wearing down much quicker than the front ones. Once all the tires are worn down, then it's time to replace them. 

3. Cleanliness Is Key

Dirty tires are not as long-lasting as clean ones. The more you drive the truck, the more grease, grime, dirt, rocks, and other build-up forms. Be sure to wash away all of the dirt and road salt off the tires. 

Nice clean tires will make the overall appearance of the truck seem nicer and will help elongate the life of the tires as well. 

4. It's Time to Get Aligned 

No, we're not talking about your neck and back. It's time to align those tires! There are a few good ways to tell if the alignment is off. 

One of those ways is if there's a lot of unusual vibration or shaking while driving straight on a smooth highway. Another sign is if the truck's wheel pulls to one side or the other while driving. Unfortunately, the alignment can also be off without any signs of it.

This is why it's important to get the tires aligned on a regular basis. Tires that aren't aligned properly will wear down much faster and in an uneven way. 

5. Bad Habits Might Leave You Stranded

As a professional truck driver or fleet manager, you know just how important it is to drive with care. Driving with care not only keeps you and those around you safe, but it also helps keep your tires performing well for days to come. 

What you want to avoid doing is slamming on your brakes frequently or hard, accelerating too quickly, driving over the speed limit, and hitting curbs or sidewalks. All of these things can add to extra wear and tear on your tires. 

6. Always Stay Balanced

If you notice some vibration in the steering wheel when you're driving between 50 and 70 miles per hour, then this might be a sign that the tires are in need of balancing. Tires that are out of balance can also cause more wear and tear on the tires than usual. It also leads to a bad fuel economy. 

To ensure the tires are balanced as needed, have them checked each time you get a tire rotation done. 

7. First Things First

First things first, before you head out on the road each time, do a full inspection. Pre-trip inspections should include all aspects of the vehicle, including the tires. When it comes to the tires, check the air pressure, the wear on the tread, and any other signs of damage or issues.

As long as you do a full inspection before getting on the road, the tires should be good to go and hopefully won't give you any issues. 

Great Tire Care Leads to Great Tire Lifespan!

If you want the tires to have a long lifespan, then you need to follow these great tire care tips listed above. Keep these tips in mind and create a maintenance schedule if desired. 

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