Even though you probably spend more on steer tires than other types of tires, these are the tires least likely to last. There are a number of factors that can affect tire life, but the good news is that you can take a few simple steps now to get more life out of your steer tires in the future.
Below are six simple tips:
1. What Do Your Treads Tell You?
The tread on a tire can actually give away a lot of information about potential problems affecting lifespan. Uneven treads can signal that there’s a problem with alignment or load balancing.
To check your treads, a visual assessment is needed, but you should also physically inspect each tire with your hand and possibly even a tape measure. If uneven tread wear is found, it’s time to have your alignment checked
2. A Balancing Act
The balancing of each tire also plays a role in how efficiently the tire operates as well as how long it lasts. While new tires are often balanced when installed, you may need to use balancing rings and balancing compounds to better support the tire over its service life.
3. Know Your Limits
Steer tires can sometimes be stretched too thin. This is where casings come into play. Casings may be retreaded a few times, so don’t push things too far. If you allow a casing to get to a tread depth of around 9/32”, the risk of a puncture goes up by a lot. Although there are Department of Transportation minimum recommendations, handling issues before they meet the minimum can save you from issues in the future.
4. Know Your Truck and Tires
Of course, one of the easiest ways to avoid steer tire problems is to stop them before they start. This can easily be done by selecting the proper tires for your truck and terrain. Additionally, regular pressure checks and maintenance are essential to extending tire life.
5. Get Analytical About Mounting
A properly mounted tire reduces the chances for irregularities interfering with operation on the road. This is why you’re encouraged to become detail-oriented when it comes to mounting tires. Even inconsistent measurements of 2mm can lead to run-out, so take the time to mount each tire concentrically.
6. Check Tires Before Tossing Them
When you replace a tire, it can be easy to toss the old one without much care. Instead, you’re encouraged to check each tire you scrap and note its condition, replacement mileage, wear spots, thread depth, and more. This info can provide details about what caused the tire to lose efficiency, but it can also signal a pattern of problems with a truck that needs to be addressed.
