5 Tips for Caring for Commercial Vehicle Tires So They Last Longer

Commercial vehicles or large vehicles for transporting goods require more careful maintenance compared to ordinary vehicles. This is because commercial vehicles are used to transport loads that tend to be large and very heavy. One of the maintenance that needs to be paid attention to is tire maintenance. 

Apart from fuel, tires are also a component with quite large operational costs. By maintaining commercial vehicle tires, Drivemate can reduce operational costs because the tires will be more durable and last longer. Apart from that, maintaining tires can also improve driving safety. Here are some tips for caring for commercial vehicle tires so they last longer.

Check your car tire pressure regularly

Air pressure is an important part of keeping vehicle tires durable. Tires that are underinflated can cause various undesirable losses, such as separation damage and tire rupture. Air pressure that is too low can also cause fuel wastage. However, if the tire is overinflated, it can reduce traction and make it prone to rupture due to impact.

At least check the tires before every trip. Check whether the tire pressure is appropriate for the transport being carried so that you can avoid accidents and other losses.

Do spooring

Next, the tip for caring for tires is spooring, namely aligning the vehicle's wheels with the aim of keeping the car moving straight. Regularly aligning the wheels will extend the service life of the tires. If the tire settings are not straight, it can result in unstable steering and abnormal tire wear.

Even though there are no specific rules for when spooring must be done, the factory recommends doing spooring once every six months, the vehicle has traveled a distance of 20,000 kilometers, or when there are signs such as the car shaking at a certain speed, the car seems to turn on its own, the car is running sideways, or the tires are worn out.

Make sure the tire valve is not leaking

The next tire maintenance tip is to ensure that the tire valve does not leak and is installed properly. If the valve cap is not installed properly, sand or small stones can enter the valve which can cause damage to the valve contents. As a result, the tires cannot glide optimally.

Also balance this by improving your driving habits

In terms of size, commercial vehicles tend to be larger than other vehicles, so they require a different way of driving. You often encounter several commercial vehicle drivers speeding on the roads. Driving habits like this need to be changed because they can have an adverse impact on the condition of car tires and the vehicle as a whole.

Avoid driving commercial vehicles at high speeds. Heavy loads combined with high-speed driving can cause the vehicle to become unbalanced and trigger the vehicle to overturn. High speed also affects tire performance. The higher the driving speed, the greater the friction between the tires and the asphalt, which can cause the tires to wear out quickly.

In addition, drivers must also pay attention to potholes and other dangers. If you are too careless, tires that run over potholes too often will quickly become damaged. Not only damage to the tires, the steering system and the suspension system can also be damaged. For this reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the travel route and adjust it to the vehicle speed. If you are passing a damaged or potholed road, reduce your driving speed.

Tire selection must be correct 

The last and no less important tip for caring for tires is to pay attention to tire selection. Commercial vehicles are usually used for logistics needs with different purposes. Some contain more items, some contain less.

For light trucks or vans, use the latest generation tires from Dunlop, SP VAN01. This tire has durability and a long service life. Suitable for use on wet roads so you don't need to worry if you have to drive when it's raining or on roads that are flooded with water.

Combine the five tire care tips above to maintain the durability of Drivemate's commercial vehicles. Longer lasting tires will also automatically reduce company vehicle operating costs. Carry out regular tire checks and pay attention to the general condition of the vehicle. Also improve your driving habits. Apart from maintaining tires and vehicles, this is also to maintain driving safety.