All these problems increase the risk of a car accident. They are even more dangerous in large vehicles such as vans, especially if they are transporting goods or semi-trailers. On wet roads, the dangers of driving on bare tires become even more pronounced. In an annual Roadcheck flash from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA), “19% of the 11,910 vehicles taken out of service had suffered tire and wheel violations.” In areas where it rains heavily, for example, lower tread depths are more susceptible to aquaplaning, Nussbaum said. Typical tractors traveling on Interstate and other highways are limited to 80,000 pounds of gross vehicle weight, typically 12,000 pounds on the steered axle and 34,000 pounds per group of double axles. A typical tire size is 11R22.5. The first two digits “11” indicate the width of the tire by 11 inches. Pounds per inch of tire width provide both an indication of tire traction and a load stress measurement based on the rated tire capacity. Pounds per inch of tire width are determined by dividing the weight carried on the axle group by the number of tires in the group and dividing by the nominal tire width specified by the manufacturer on the tire sidewall. In its November issue, Consumer Reports recommended that consumers use a quarter instead of a penny to measure tread depth — a change that doubles the depth at which car owners should consider new tires from 2/32 to 4/32 inches.
Commercial vehicle operators have a special relationship with the tires of their vehicle. Tires are expensive, but fines and other costs for operating with a defective or dangerous tire can be much more expensive. Snow and ice can cancel out the traction normally provided by the tire`s tread. The two most common means of traction on ice and snow are the use of tire chains or studded tires. The chains are designed so that they can be put on and removed in snowy and icy conditions when not needed. Studded tires have short metal or ceramic pins that protrude from the tire and reach snow or ice. They can be driven on open roads, but bolts tend to damage the sidewalk. Year-round use is prohibited. Each state publishes data on which studded tires can be used and when they should be removed from the vehicle. Studded tires are only suitable for lighter vehicles with a total weight of 7,000 to 10,000 pounds. Heavier vehicles should use tracks if necessary.
If you notice a shallow tread depth on your set, don`t worry. At TireMart.com you will find the perfect set of tires for your vehicle. Check out our offers and get the best tire prices available online. (1) Inspection procedures. Investigate visually. A significant deviation in the size, construction and tread of the tyres on the same axle or a significant deviation from the manufacturer`s recommended size (e.g. as indicated on the 1968 glove box poster and subsequent passenger cars) are grounds for refusal. Simply easy. All you need to check the tread depth of your tire is a penny. Stick the penny with Abraham Lincoln`s head on the head. When Abe`s tip of the head appears, it`s time for new tires.
Tamara shows you how to do it in this video. There is no national law regulating minimum tread depth, but 42 states consider 2/32 inches to be the legal minimum tread depth. California and Idaho consider 1/32 a minimum, and Arkansas, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Carolina and West Virginia do not have tread depth standards. You can use different methods to measure the tread depth of your tires. For the most accurate measurements, you get a tire tread depth measurement tool sold at popular auto parts stores. The tool looks a bit like a syringe, and you can also use it in the same way. Effective tire maintenance can make a big difference for a commercial fleet. Tire maintenance helps fleets avoid vehicle performance issues and maximize profitability. You can measure the depth of truck tires using a tread depth chart for commercial vehicle tires. Different commercial vehicles will have different original tread depths. In a box to a high-performance tire test in the November issue, CR urges consumers to insert an American quarter with George Washington`s head into a tread groove.
“If your profile doesn`t cover Washington`s hairline, it`s time to buy new tires,” the magazine said. The right air pressure in your tires is also crucial. Tyre pressure is expressed as a number followed by PSI. That means pounds per square inch. 28 PSI means 28 pounds per square inch. It is a measure of the force inside the tire exerted on a square inch. You can check the recommended tire pressure for your car in your owner`s manual or on a sticker in the driver`s door. For most vehicles, it`s around 32 PSIs. Need new tires in Chapel Hill, Raleigh or Durham? Our experts will help you find the right tires for your vehicle at the lowest possible price. With our beaten price guarantee, you can make sure you get the best possible price on new tires in the Triangle. Make an appointment at one of our eight service centers in the Triangle region. We look forward to welcoming you to Chapel Hill Tire! If a vehicle is declared out of service by the CVSA, the FMCSA quotes are a certainty.
The driver will receive fines for each infraction, and until the violations against the operation are corrected, the vehicle cannot be moved. For example, a driver who drives a vehicle with a steering tire with a tread depth of 3/32 receives a ticket, but the truck is not taken out of service. Similarly, if the drive or trailer tires have a tread depth of at least 1/32 in each larger groove or if the worn stains are not side by side, the driver will receive quotes, but the vehicle can remain in service. For some tire dealers, this recommendation from an influential publication doesn`t change the way they recommend tire replacement, but it could support them in the eyes of the customer. If you live in an area where it rains or snows frequently, consider replacing tires when they reach 4/32 inches. With worn tires, there is a risk of aquaplaning on wet roads. This is when the tire cannot pass water through the grooves. The car drives along the water instead of staying in contact with the asphalt. As a result, the tires cannot respond to the steering system. If you`ve experienced it, you know how terrifying it can be. In icy or snowy conditions, the shallow tread depth makes it difficult to stop. They can also fish when accelerating or sliding sideways when turning.
Don`t ignore the uneven treads on truck tires. If the tires do not match, the tire with a deeper tread carries more load on the truck. It can wear this tire prematurely and put uneven pressure on the suspension. Tire tread can affect the safety and performance of your vehicle while driving. While you may not think about your tread every time you drive, it`s important to check back from time to time to make sure your tires are in good condition. Are you ready to talk about tire tread depth? Let`s dive in. Emergency tyres temporarily fitted to a failed vehicle need not necessarily reach the minimum tread depth.6 However, these tyres cannot be used as a permanent solution. If used for too long, they may be subject to California minimum profile laws. 34,000 lbs / 8 = 4250 lbs per tire / 11 inches = 386 pounds per inch. For example, pounds per inch for a group of double axles (8 tires), limited to 34,000 lbs, at 11 inches. Wide tires would be determined by: Irregular tread depth may mean that the vehicle`s orientation is incorrect. This could result in tire removal earlier than expected and indicate other equipment problems.
Consumer Reports has conducted several tests to answer the question of when tires need to be replaced. They found that a tire with about 1/2 of its tread loses about 15% of its traction on snow. The speed at which a tire would start with the seaplane also dropped by about 8 percent. The wet braking distance was also increased by about 3 to 6 feet once the tire had left half of its tread. In the United States, tires are required by law to have easily recognizable tread wear indicators. If the tread pattern wears out, it eventually becomes the same as the tread wear indicator. At this point, the tire needs to be replaced. It has too little tread to provide traction. If safety wasn`t convincing enough, remember that it`s also illegal to drive with bare tires. (1) Inspection procedures. Car tires have tread depth indicators that are exposed when the tread depth is less than two thirty seconds of an inch.