Tire Care Tips for Diesel Vehicles
Regular tire rotations are crucial for maintenance, especially for diesel engines, as they ensure even tire wear and extend tire life by balancing the front and rear tires' wear differences.
Proper tire maintenance is crucial for diesel vehicles to maintain safety, efficiency, and performance on the road. Diesel vehicles, often heavier than their gasoline counterparts due to the robust nature of their engines and components, place additional demands on their tires. Consequently, a diligent approach to tire care can significantly extend tire life, improve fuel economy, and enhance driving stability.
Pressure
The significance of maintaining correct tire pressure cannot be overstated. Each vehicle has a manufacturer-recommended tire pressure, typically found in the owner’s manual or on a sticker inside the driver’s door. Maintaining this pressure ensures optimal contact between the tire and the road, which improves traction and reduces wear. Underinflated tires cause uneven tire wear, increased fuel consumption, and even tire failure due to overheating. Conversely, overinflated tires may result in decreased traction and increased wear on the tire’s center tread.
Rotate the tires
Regular tire rotations are another critical aspect of tire maintenance. Due to diesel engines’ weight and torque characteristics, front and rear tires wear differently. By rotating the tires at intervals recommended by the vehicle manufacturer, wear can be distributed more evenly across all tires, which helps extend their usability and maintains balanced handling of the vehicle.
Balance the tires
Balancing tires is also essential, especially when new tires are installed. Tire balancing ensures an even weight distribution around the entire circumference of the wheel-tire assembly. Proper balance minimizes vibration felt in the steering wheel, seat, or floorboard and reduces tire wear. Unbalanced tires can lead to premature wear of suspension and steering components and uncomfortable driving conditions.
Wheel alignment
Aligning the wheels of a diesel vehicle adjusts the angles of the tires. The change affects how they make contact with the road. Vehicles with misaligned wheels often experience uneven tire wear, poor handling, and increased fuel consumption. It is generally recommended that alignment is checked whenever new tires are installed or if unusual tire wear patterns appear.
Keep an eye out
Tire inspection should become a regular part of vehicle maintenance. Owners should check for signs of damage like cuts, cracks, or bulges in the sidewalls and inspect the tread depth. Tires with insufficient tread depth have reduced grip, particularly in adverse weather conditions, and can dramatically change how a vehicle brakes and handles. One way to check tread depth is the penny test, where a penny is inserted into a tread groove with Abraham Lincoln’s head upside down; if the top of his head can be seen, the tread depth is less than 2/32 inches, and it is time to replace the tire.
Age
Additionally, paying attention to the age of the tires is important because rubber deteriorates over time due to environmental conditions like exposure to sunlight and temperature extremes. Even if a tire’s tread appears sufficient, old tires can fail under normal driving conditions. Generally, tire manufacturers recommend replacing tires every six to ten years, regardless of tread wear, but this can depend on the conditions under which the tires are used.
Diligent tire care is a critical component of maintaining diesel vehicles. The safety and performance of diesel vehicles can be optimized by keeping tires properly inflated, regularly rotated, balanced, and aligned, conducting thorough inspections, and adhering to maintenance schedules. Moreover, such attention to detail will not only extend the life of the tires but also contribute to a more stable, fuel-efficient, and safe driving experience.
KTS Enterprise in Phoenix offers comprehensive mobile fleet truck maintenance and repairs catering to client needs, from preventative service to major repairs.
