Maintaining Your Truck Tires
How often do you think about the wheels on your truck? Most of the time, you probably don’t until they need air or need to be rotated. When you work as a trucker, maintaining your truck tires is one of the most critical tasks that you are responsible for. Here’s a closer look at how to do this.
Inflate the Tires
The first step is to inflate your truck tires. That way, you can have a smoother, more comfortable ride. When the trips you take will often last for hours or even days, the comfort of your ride will make a huge difference in how you feel when you reach your destination. Underinflated tires wear out faster, put out more heat as they run, and will fail or blowout sooner than tires that are properly inflated. Don’t overdo it, though. Overinflated tires have less traction and can be damaged by debris on the road.
Clean the Wheels
Next up, be sure to clean the wheels. Taking the time to do this is just as important as caring for the rubber on the tires. Winter weather conditions such as snow, ice, and sleet can do a number on your tires. Plus, the road salt and other substances on the road used to melt black ice, and other hazards can also damage the wheels. Warm and soapy water is all you need to clean the wheels attached to your truck tires. Clean the inside of the tires as well as the outside. Don’t give in to the temptation to use petroleum-based cleaners, though. These cleaners can ruin the rubber if you’re not careful.
Use Clean Air
You’ve also got to use clean air. Clean air is the best air for your tires. The air inside your tires needs to be dry, as well. Wet air is no good. That’s because a moisture buildup can harm the interior lining of your tires, wearing them away where you can’t see the damage and do something about it.
Align the Wheels
Lastly, take the time to align the wheels. This may not seem important, but it is. By doing this, you can avoid handling problems, problems that make your ride less smooth, and prolong the lifespan of your truck tires.
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