When to Change & Replace Truck/Bus Tyres in India?

Your truck/bus tyres may look fine from the outside but may have been damaged by constant use. Tread depth and manufacturing date are some of the main reasons why people consider changing their tyres to reduce the risk of accidents. 

In the following article, we have highlighted some of the critical factors and signs that indicate a change of truck/bus tyres, along with some tips to take care of them to increase their longevity. 

Scroll down to learn more!

The tyres are manufactured in various shapes and sizes suited for specific requirements and road conditions. However, their conditions get degraded with time depending upon several factors, and they are:

Speed:

Overspeeding on a regular basis reduces the lifespan of tyres and causes them to get damaged and worn out pretty quickly.

Pressure:

The tyres should be inflated up to the optimum level. Overinflation or underinflation is another significant cause of wearing out of bus/truck tyres.

Weather:

Driving through harsh weather conditions is also responsible for degrading the quality of truck/bus tyres, which consequently lowers the efficiency of the tyres.

Conditions of Road:

Every road is not in excellent condition, and some may present huge potholes.  Driving your car in these bad and harsh conditions puts extra pressure on the tyres, causing them to wear out.

Temperature:

If the tyres are exposed to excessively high temperatures on a regular basis, the tyres get worn out pretty fast. Hence, tyres must not be continuously driven on hot roads. 

Rash Driving:

Some people have the habit of rash driving and aggressive cornering that puts additional pressure on the brakes as well as the tyres. This is listed as another reason for quick wear and tear. 

Inappropriate Match:

Setting up different types of tyres with different technologies can hamper the functionality, balance, stability, and performance of the tyre. Uniform specifications are very important.

Load:

Every tyre can tolerate only a specific amount of load. Therefore, overloading can significantly affect their performance and speed up the process of wear and tear.

Others:

Apart from the other factors mentioned above, the age of the tyres, along with irregular maintenance, can have a deep impact on the tyres, which causes wear and tear at a faster rate.

Different types of trucks are meant for different work and require different tyres. Hence, having a brief knowledge of various kinds of tyres helps in selecting the best one for your truck/bus:

1. General Truck Tyres:

These refer to the tyres in the lightweight trucks that move around the city delivering packages.

2. Mining Truck Tyres:

These types of tyres are specially designed to withstand the bad conditions of quarries, open pit mining and other mining tasks. It has certain advanced features, such as a 3-layer structure, multi-layer steel belts, etc.

3. Long Haul Truck Tyres:

These truck tyres are seen on those that run at fairly constant speeds over the highways.

4. Heavy Loads Truck Tyres:

Trucks that are designed to transport coarse materials and overweight loads require these tyres.

The first and foremost point in taking care of your truck/bus tyre is to inspect it properly and look for any kind of danger sign that might put your life at risk. While inspecting, ensure the vehicle is not moving, and the engine is kept off. To have a better understanding, ensure:

• Any tyre damage must be looked at carefully by professionals trained to determine whether to repair them.  

• Avoid putting a lot of pressure on the tyres as it may result in thermal degradation. 

• The repairs should always be supervised by tyre specialists who have sufficient knowledge of the matter. 

• Mindfully examine the tyre before initiating any repair work and ensure no degradation has started. 

Keeping your truck/bus in optimal working condition ensures the safety of the driver as well as the people on the road. Hence, it is essential to inspect your truck/bux tyres regularly and replace or repair them if needed.