Bauer Built: Why the Proper Inflation Matters
“The most critical factor in tire maintenance is proper inflation,” said Mike Weber, VP of Manufacturing and Operations at Bauer Built Tire & Service. “Not only is proper pressure maintenance critical to obtain optimized performance from tires, but driving on any tire that doesn’t have the correct inflation pressure is both dangerous and damaging, often resulting in sudden tire destruction, irregular wear and/or improper vehicle handling.” Proper inflation, on the other hand ensures full contact with the road, promoting traction, braking capability, and safety.
Underinflation
Any underinflated tire causes abnormal tire deflection, building up excessive heat that may result in:
- Sudden tire destruction
- Zipper ruptures
- Casing fatigue and degeneration
- Irregular wear
- Decreased tread life
- Reduced fuel economy
- Adverse handling conditions
Overinflation
Any overinflated tire runs harder, resulting in:
- Reduced resistance to impacts and penetrations
- Increased stopping distances
- Irregular wear
- Decreased tread life
- Adverse handling conditions
Tips to Keeping Cool Under & Over Pressure
- Inflation pressures should be checked according to manufacturer’s recommendations or at least once weekly, and always before long distance trips, including spares, especially when vehicle is used by more than one driver.
- Because driving, even for a short distance, causes tires to heat up and pressures to increase, pressure should be checked when tires are cold—ideally, early in the morning before being driven, or at least 3 hours after the vehicle has stopped.
- The correct inflation pressures for your tires must incorporate many factors including load, speed, road surface, and handling.
- Unless otherwise recommended by the tire manufacturer for optimized tire performance, use the tire inflation pressure shown in the application data books for the particular axle load.
- Never inflate to cold pressure beyond the rated capacity of the wheel.
- If your pressure check indicates that one of your tires has lost pressure of 4 psi or more, look for signs of penetration, valve leakage, or wheel damage that may account for pressure loss.
- If the tire is 20% below the maintenance pressure, it must be considered flat—remove and inspect for punctures or other damage; if run-flat damage is detected, scrap the tire.
- Never bleed tire pressure from hot tires.
Also, when checking your inflation pressures, it’s an ideal time to inspect your tires and wheels for bulges, cracks, cuts, or penetrations. If any damage is found, the tire must be inspected by a qualified tire dealer immediately. Remember, the use of a damaged tire could result in tire destruction, property damage, and/or worse, personal injury.
Bauer Built: Always By Your Side
As a family-owned company, at Bauer Built Tire & Service, we consider our customers and partners as family, too. Earning the trust of commercial drivers and fleet managers since 1944, we’ve been delivering quality services, products and helpful tips that keep them safely on the road mile after mile. With more than 600 dedicated individuals in 38 Tire and Service Centers, 7 MRTI plants and 3 wheel-refinishing operations across 10 Midwest and Great Plain states, we’re here and there—whenever, wherever you need us. Bauer Built…always by your side.
Categories: Bauer Built Blog, Tire Care Tips
