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Winter road safety is especially important for large vehicles because, with the extra weight and momentum, it’s easier for a heavy truck to lose control in wet or icy conditions. While some may know how to watch road conditions and avoid ice, there are other steps needed to ensure that a truck is safe to drive in the winter. Tire maintenance is one of those steps. Before winter sets in, perform the following checklist items on your heavy-duty vehicles to avoid having to call a towing company.

How to Care for Your Truck Tires This Winter

1. Tread & Wear

If there are bald spots on your tread, your wheels will slip more easily. Each tire’s tread should be at least 2/32 inches deep all over, and 4/32 on steer tires for extra grip. While you’re checking tread depth, note the wear patterns since the inner and outer edges of the tires naturally wear out at different speeds.

This is a good time of year to rotate your tires, allowing you to get more wear out of the least worn sides of each one. You also slightly improve traction by placing the deepest parts of the remaining tread against the road.

2. Pressure

towing companyHaving the right tire pressure makes it easier to turn and brake, which helps you avoid accidents that could leave you calling a towing company. If there’s too much pressure, then the tires become rigid and can’t flex well enough to grip the pavement. However, too little pressure will make the tires sag and prevent them from being able to provide traction.

It’s important to schedule regular pressure checks each month, but, in particular, you should perform extra checks at the beginning of winter. This is because the cooling temperatures naturally decrease the pressure and your tires are likely to need a refill at this time.

3. Alignment

Wheels can be tilted inward or outward, turned to one side or the other, or have their turning axis pointed forward or backward. When this happens, the wheels can pull against each other, waste power, diminish traction with the road, and even make your truck pull to one side or the other. Wheel alignment resets each tire's angle, so they pull efficiently and the vehicle handles smoothly. Schedule a tire alignment with your garage or towing company to make winter driving a little more predictable.

 

If you have problems with your tires this winter, call Buckeye Riverside Towing in Cincinnati, OH. This emergency towing company serves the Tri-State area with a focus on heavy-duty towing for commercial vehicles. They offer 24/7 roadside service, including lockouts, jumps, and tire changes. For questions, call them at (513) 244-7200 or visit their website today.

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