Tire tips add to safety, benefit bottom line

Michelin is offering commercial trucking fleets and individual owner-operators easy-to-follow tips to improve safety and save money by properly maintaining their truck tires.

• Drivers should have an accurate pressure gauge (calibrated with a master gauge) and be instructed to check the tires on their truck each day.

• Conduct a visual inspection of your vehicle's tires prior to operation.

• Check every tire on the tractor and trailer including inside dual tires (and the mounted spare if the truck has one).

• Never weld or apply heat to the wheel when the tire is mounted.

• Properly store tires when they are not in use.

• Always use a safety cage when inflating tires after mounting.

• Avoid mixing tires on your vehicle; for example, pairing a normal tread depth with a deep tread depth or a bias-ply tire with a radial.

• Tire and rim servicing should be done by trained personnel using proper tools and procedures. Always dismount and inspect tires that have run underinflated (less than 80% of recommended pressure).

• Always dismount and inspect tires that have run under-inflated.

• Do not “limp in” on a flat dual tire. Doing so causes irreparable damage to both tires because of the increased load the inflated tire must carry.