How Winter Weather Affects Tire Inflation
Monitor your tire pressure frequently during the winter to maximize your fleet efficiency. Ensuring your tires stay inflated will protect your operators and your vehicles from flats and costly repairs.
Importance Of Proper Tire Inflation
Maintaining proper tire inflation will reduce your tires’ risk for damage and flats and keep your operators safe on the road.
Tire inflation drops with the temperature, so winter can present a particularly tricky environment for gauging tire pressure. Perform weekly inspections and check your fleet’s tire pressure before a long trip. Early morning is the ideal time to take a pressure reading.
Risks Of Poor Tire Inflation
Risks of underinflation:
- Irregular wear
- A build-up of excess heat on tires
- Sudden tire failure
- Lower fuel economy
- Shorter tread life
Risks of overinflation:
- Vulnerability to impacts/punctures
- Increased stopping distance
- Shorter tread life
- Adverse handling conditions
Inflation Inspection
Beware overinflation: Overinflating a cold tire past the recommended capacity can cause damage because the pressure increases as the tires heat up. If you fill a cold tire to capacity, it will expand past its limit over time.
Inspection location: Never measure tire pressure outside when the temperature is below freezing. This can cause ice to form on the valve stem, which will introduce moisture into the tire.
Dual positions: Dual axle tire pressures should never differ more than five psi. Mixed pressure on dual tires creates irregular wear as the tires rotate at different revolutions per mile.
Properly Measuring Tire Pressure
Maintain accurate pressure gauges. Check them weekly against a master calibrated gauge to ensure proper measurements. Take a pressure reading when tires are cold, like before a trip or at least three hours after operation.
Bauer Built’s mounted wheel program and mechanical services will keep your fleet rolling. Schedule service at one of our convenient locations today.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Tire Care Tips
