Posted on January 11, 2016 at 12:49 PM by Blog Committee
It seems as though winter has finally hit the Midwest. The temperatures have dropped and so has your tire pressure. The fact that heat expands and cold contracts also effects the air in your tires. The U.S. Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has given your tire a temperature rating as part of its uniform tire-quality grading (UTQG) system, to indicate how much heat your tire can handle. However, the UTQG temperature rating assumes you'll keep your tire at its proper pressure. Too much heat destroys the tire and BOOM! It’s gone. Keep an eye on your pressure and learn about what the pressure is supposed be in the tires your truck is outfitted with.
- 10% under inflation can cause significant premature tire wear. Which equals BIG $$$$ in the trucking business.
- Under inflation can cause excess heat and loss of tire.
- Under inflation will reduce your fuel efficiency.
- Under inflation also significantly reduces the amount of weight the tire can handle
- Most importantly, your safety is compromised if you are driving down the road with under-inflated tires!
Take the time to learn about one of the most important components on your truck. Keep an eye on your tire pressure. When the weather changes, so does the pressure in your tires. If we all work together on this we can optimize our safety, our cost per mile, and ensure we are Delivering Value with each and every load. Keep a close eye on the rubber between you and the road.
Submitted by Brad James, Don Hummer Trucking Maintenance Team