Commercial Fleet Tire Safety Tips

19 Dec 2016

Concerns about the safety of commercial tires have resulted in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issuing notifications to the transport industry to increase awareness of tire safety issues.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA’s) Office of Defects Investigations (ODI), increased tire failures on commercial trucks are as a result of issues such as increased uptime/equipment utilization, increased front axle loads, and going above tire speed ratings.

For these reasons, FMCSA, along with the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA), and the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), have developed a visor card that outlines various recommendations for commercial tire safety. Commercial vehicle operators, and drivers are urged to take heed of the acronym “TIRES”, that stands for Tire inspection, Inflation pressure, Extreme loading, and Speed:

Tire Inspection

Examine tires on a daily basis, looking out for:

  • Cuts
  • Cracking
  • Bulges
  • Irregular treadwear
  • Inadequate tread depth
  • Foreign objects
  • Other damage

If any of the above is found, it should immediately be brought to the attention of a mechanic.

Inflation Pressure

  • Always gauge tires cold before driving.
  • Always adjust tires as necessary as improper inflation affects both fuel efficiency, and tire wear. The correct inflation pressure for your specific vehicle can be found in the service manual, on the tire placard, or on the certification label.

Rims

  • Use only approved rim/tire combinations of the appropriate diameter and width.
  • Be aware that mismatches rim and tire components have the potential to explode, resulting in serious injury or death.

Extreme Loading

  • Be aware that underinflation or overloading is the cause of uncontrolled heat build-up, leading to internal structural damage, that can result in tire failure.

Speed

  • Never exceed the speed rating of your tires, as this leads to both damage, and premature failure.

To keep track of truck maintenance schedules, no matter the size of the fleet, GPS fleet tracking and GPS fleet management software is a solid choice.

Maintenance alerts can be set to to inform fleet managers when vehicles are due for specific maintenance. This will prevent non-starts, and breakdowns, and alerts can be based on various factors, for example:

  • Mileage
  • Engine-on time

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George Karonis

About George Karonis

George Karonis is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of LiveViewGPS Inc., a company he established in 2008 with the vision of making real-time GPS tracking more reliable, affordable, and accessible for businesses of all sizes. Over the past two decades, he has built a reputation as an innovator in GPS tracking, fleet management, asset monitoring, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PTToC) communications. Under George's leadership, LiveViewGPS has grown into a nationally recognized provider of GPS tracking solutions, serving businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, law enforcement organizations, and public works departments throughout the United States. The company's technology helps organizations improve operational efficiency, protect valuable assets, increase driver safety, and reduce operating costs through real-time location intelligence. Before founding LiveViewGPS, George developed a background in security, surveillance, and emerging location technologies. His passion for innovation and practical problem solving has driven the development of products that combine dependable hardware with easy-to-use cloud software, giving customers actionable information when it matters most. In 2018, George expanded into nationwide Push-to-Talk over Cellular communications by launching PeakPTT, providing businesses with rugged, instant communication solutions that operate over LTE and Wi-Fi networks. His focus has remained the same throughout his career: delivering dependable technology backed by exceptional customer service and long-term customer relationships. George regularly writes about GPS tracking, fleet management, asset protection, business technology, and communication systems. Through this blog, he shares industry insights, practical advice, and emerging trends to help organizations make informed decisions about tracking technology and connected operations.

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