Tire safety is a critical safety issue for the commercial motor carrier. Tire failure at high speeds can result in loss of control and crashes. Proper tire maintenance maximizes tire life, minimizes downtime associated with tire problems and improves fuel economy.
Common Tire and Wheel Problems
Tire wear beyond safe tread depth limits or where body ply or belt material shows through the tread or sidewall; flat spots and uneven wear
Tire inflation, including under- or over-inflated tires or tire leaks; flat tires at duals. Improper tire pressure, either too little or too much, can lead to deterioration and eventual catastrophic failure
Tire damage, including cuts, gouges, sidewall damage and tread separation; and cut or damaged valve stems
Mismatched tires, such as mixing bias and radial tires on the same axle
Wheel and rim problems, including damaged rims, loose nuts, and missing or mismatched components. Wheels and rims should never be welded. Doing so makes them unsafe for use
Tips for Motor Carriers
Establish a standard for indicating when tires should be taken out of service. Standard must meet or exceed Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSR) tread depth requirements
Train drivers and maintenance personnel in tire safety procedures and practices including tire inflation guidelines, tire manufacturers’ specifications for inflation and loading and company procedures for taking a tire out of service
Train drivers in conducting pre-trip tire and wheel inspections, and maintaining proper inflation and air pressure
Monitor incidents of tire failure and make changes in policies and training programs to address problems
Periodically audit company standards for out-of-service conditions to ensure maintenance personnel and drivers are following safe practices
Store tires properly to avoid damage or aging from exposure to direct sunlight
Tips for Drivers
Check tires and wheels during vehicle inspections to make sure their condition meets company standards. Specifically:
Check for damaged or worn tires or for tread separation
Check tread depth for tire wear. Steer tires must have a tread depth of at least 4/32 inch when measured on any point on a major tread groove. All other tires must have a minimum tread depth of 2/32 inch
Check and maintain proper air pressure, according to tire manufacturers’ specifications
Check for damaged or worn wheels and rims, loose or missing nuts and for other wheel or rim problems
During a trip, monitor tires for road damage or deterioration. The principal indicators of deterioration are tread wear, tread and sidewall damage and air leakage
Do not operate tires with inflation pressures other than those specified by the manufacturer.
SOURCE: Sentry Insurance
