Tire Maintenance Notes

Routine that catches problems early

A useful tire maintenance routine combines pressure checks, tread-depth readings, sidewall inspection, dual matching, and short notes about repeat-position wear. The point is to spot patterns before they become roadside decisions — not to manage emergencies after the fact.

Inspection timing

Different checks belong at different intervals. Not every check needs to happen every day, but some need to happen before every trip.

• Pre-trip: visual check of all tires for obvious damage, severe pressure loss, bulges, or exposed structure.
• Post-trip or on arrival: note any vibration, pulling, or handling change observed during the run; flag tires for closer inspection.
• Weekly or before long-haul dispatch: cold-pressure check on every tire, including inside duals.
• Periodic (by mileage or schedule): tread-depth measurement at multiple positions, rotation if planned, alignment check if wear patterns suggest it.
• After any road hazard, curb strike, or unusual event: inspect the involved tire before the next trip.

Pressure check sequence

Pressure should be checked cold — before the vehicle moves or after it has been parked at least three hours. Heat from operation raises pressure 10 to 20 PSI above cold readings on typical tires; releasing pressure from a hot tire will result in underinflation once it cools.

• Start with the same tire each time to build a consistent route.
• Use a calibrated gauge — check its accuracy periodically against a known reference.
• Check every position, not just the obvious outer tires.
• Inspect valves and caps while checking pressure.
• Record readings and the ambient temperature if available.
• Investigate repeated loss at any position rather than simply airing up again.

Tread depth tracking

Tread depth is a number, not an impression. A gauge takes seconds and gives data that a visual check cannot. For commercial vehicles, 49 CFR 393.75 sets federal minimums: 4/32 inch on front (steer) axles, 2/32 inch on all other positions. Most well-managed fleets pull tires earlier — before reaching the legal limit — to preserve casing value and maintain a safety margin.

• Measure at least three points across the tread face: inner rib, center rib, outer rib.
• Record the lowest reading from each tire.
• Compare both tires in a dual set — significant differences indicate a matching or rotation issue.
• Flag any tire with uneven wear (one edge lower than the other, or center lower than both edges) for cause investigation.
• Track readings over time to catch unusually fast wear rates before they become removal decisions.

Dual tire management

Dual assemblies require both tires to carry their share of the load equally. A significant pressure or tread-depth difference between the two tires in a dual set forces the larger or more inflated tire to carry more load, accelerating its wear and risking the smaller tire being pinched or run in contact with the road surface under load.

• Check inside duals at every pressure inspection — they are out of the routine line of sight.
• Tread depth should be within approximately 4/32 inch between dual mates; manufacturer and fleet guidelines vary.
• Pressure should be within 5 PSI between dual mates — use the lower reading to decide whether both need adjustment.
• Do not pair a new tire with a severely worn tire in a dual position.
• Use adequate light to inspect inside dual sidewalls for damage, cracking, or valve condition.

When to escalate immediately

Some conditions should not wait for a scheduled inspection. Stop the vehicle and get the tire inspected before continuing when any of the following are present.

• Visible cord, belt material, or any exposed casing structure.
• Any bulge anywhere on the tire — sidewall, tread, or shoulder.
• Rapid or complete pressure loss without a clear, corrected cause.
• Repeated pressure loss at the same position without a confirmed cause.
• Heat damage or burning smell associated with a tire.
• Vibration, pulling, handling change, or unusual noise that appeared during the run.
• Any indicator that a tire has been operated flat or severely underinflated.

Tire rotation basics

Rotation equalizes wear across positions but does not fix mechanical problems. Moving a tire away from a problem axle without correcting the cause will produce the same wear pattern on its next position, and may hide the underlying issue. Check the tire-rotation reference page for position approval guidance and typical interval ranges.

Record keeping

Short maintenance notes eliminate guesswork and support pattern recognition. A position that repeatedly shows pressure loss, rapid wear, or damage is telling you something about the axle, suspension, or loading at that position — but only if you have records to see the pattern.

• Record the date and readings for every pressure check.
• Note tread depth by position and date when measured.
• Log any irregular wear observation with the position and a brief description.
• Document any tire removed from service: reason, position, and mileage.
• Keep rotation dates and the positions tires moved between.
• Flag tires with repair history so they get extra attention during routine inspection.