Cooper offers tire maintenance tips ahead of National Tire Safety Week

Proper tire inflation, says Cooper Tire’s Gary Schroeder, is the most important thing to consider for extending tire life and increasing safety.Proper tire inflation, says Cooper Tire’s Gary Schroeder, is the most important thing to consider for extending tire life and increasing safety.

With National Tire Safety Week coming up at the end of the month (May 28-June 3), Cooper Tire is offering truck drivers tips on tire maintenance for safety and tire life.

Gary Schroeder, director of Cooper’s truck and bus tire business, says maintaining proper inflation “is the single most important factor in extending the life of any tire” and maintaining safety.

He says both under- and over-inflation have negative effects on tires. An underinflated tire cause excessive heat buildup, resulting in internal structural damage to the tire. An over-inflated tire can make it more vulnerable to cutting, punctures and damage from impacts.

Schroeder adds that rotating tires regularly helps extend tire life, as well. Cooper recommends rotating tires when they are 50 percent worn, if not earlier.

Tread depth is another factor that contributes to safety with tires. DOT regulations say steer tires must be at least 4/32nds of an inch, while all other tires must be at least 2/32nds of an inch. Schroeder says steer and drive tires can be pulled early and rotated back to the trailer to run out their remaining life.

More information on tires and tire maintenance can be found in Jason Cannon’s two-part series from May 2016. Part one can be found here, and part two here.

National Tire Safety Week is an education initiative put on by the Rubber Manufacturers Association to help drivers learn more about tire maintenance.