We get asked a million and one questions about Charlotte truck tires here in our Charlotte truck mechanic shop. Today we’re going to spend a little time sharing some of those questions with you and their answers!
Charlotte Truck Tires Answer Your Truck Tire FAQS
Q: How Long Will My Semi Truck Tires Last?
A: There is no one answer to this because the life of your truck tires depend on a number of different factors. For example, a driver who runs on small country roads and a driver who only drives on the highway are going to have different wear periods. Some of the factors to consider include:
- Where you drive
- Whether you keep up with regular maintenance (rotation, alignment etc.)
- The type of tires you have on your truck
- Potential dangers where you park (nails and broken glass)
Q: How Often Should I Check My Tire Pressure?
A: It’s always best practice to check your tire pressure every day, but at a minimum, you should check your truck tire pressure weekly. We’re not just talking about thumping or using your boot to check tire pressure, either. Use a gauge and check the cold tire inflation pressure.
If your truck tires are slowly losing pressure, you are unlikely to notice until it gets to a dangerous point which is why it’s so important to check pressure regularly. Regular checks will tip you off to small changes before they become big – and potentially life-threatening for you as a driver and for anyone else you are sharing the road with!
Q: What Do I Need to Know About Blowouts?
A: Two of the most common reasons for truck tire blowouts are a failure to properly manage tire pressure and a failure to change out worn or damaged tires. Most blowouts can be prevented with proper maintenance.
We discussed improperly managing tire pressure in the last question, but what about a failure to change out worn or damaged tires? According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) NHTSA recommends replacing tires once tread depth is down to 2/32″. Many people use the “penny test” to guess the wear of their tires – this means putting a penny in the tire tread with Lincoln’s head downward. If you can see the top of Lincoln’s head then your treads are too shallow and your tires need replacing.
Q: Can Semi Truck Tires Be Retreaded?
A: While it is possible to retread semi truck tires, not all truck mechanics offer this type of service, so if you are interested in retreading, be sure to call ahead before visiting the shop just to be sure that it’s a service they can perform.
It’s also important to consult the fleet owner when contemplating any type of tire retreading or replacement. The owner of the fleet often chooses to replace tires completely rather than have tires retreaded.
Q: What Are Some Signs That My Truck Tires Need to Be Replaced?
A: Some of the signs that your tires may need to be replaced include:
- Cracking and splitting in the rubber of your tires. This can be caused by wear and tear or it can be caused by things like dry rot, but either way it’s a sign that your tires have been compromised.
- Vibration is another sign that it might be time to change out your tires. If you notice a difference in how your truck rides it could be a number of problems, but your truck tires could be on of them!
- Uneven wear on your tires is another indicator that it’s time to change out your tires! It’s also a sign that you should have your truck go through maintenance! A few things can cause your tires to wear unevenly, but if you replace your tires without addressing the cause of uneven wear, then you are only going to wind up wearing your new tires unevenly as well and they will wear out a lot faster than they should!
In Short…
In short, don’t undervalue the necessity of regular maintenance on your truck tires! Catching a problem early can prevent it from becoming a serious issue or even a deadly one!
In the Market For Charlotte Truck Tires?
If you’re in the market for Charlotte truck tires, we can help! Drop by our new diesel truck shop location at 4613 Statesville Rd., Charlotte, NC 28269, but be sure to give us a call first at 704-317-6161 to be sure that we have what you need in stock!
