The real power of trucks is reflected in their front tires. They are responsible for steering and regulating traffic. They are the most vital element in the process of stabilizing the vehicle and improving the quality of driving, especially with heavy loads, which are the usual thing when it comes to trucks. With long trips and facing high temperatures, all tires start to wear and tear, but the most prominent part that makes a huge difference to drivers is the front tires. Once damaged, driving becomes one of the worst operations that drivers may perform, a noticeable increase in vibrations, and a noticeable weakness in the ability to install the truck on The track, in addition to the increased stopping distance and the lack of interaction with anti-skid systems, all this suffering occurs when the front tires of trucks wear out. What are the reasons behind all this trouble? How can we avoid this matter? All the answers you are looking for are in the following lines of this article.
What's the difference between front and rear tires?
Before going into the reasons for the wear of the front tires, we must explain the difference between the front tires and the rear tires, because the difference between them is significant in some parts. These differences depend slightly on the type and size of the truck, but of course we will show the difference between the front and rear tires in the following ways:
First: job distribution
- Front tires: The main task of the front tires is the steering function (steering). They absorb up to 70% of the brake force and the heat caused by friction on the asphalt, as documented by a study conducted by a study conducted by Traffic Technology and Safety Agency (NHTSA)This has made the front tires more susceptible to sharp and uneven wear due to traffic and frequent turns.
- Rear tires: The tasks of rear tires, both single and double, focus on weight loading, especially in trucks dedicated to transporting commercial goods. Rear tires distribute the driving force generated by the engine, as well as distributing the total weight on each tire. As a result of the distribution in weight and driving force, rear tire damage is concentrated on the center of the tread in most cases. This damage is usually at a constant level. We can call it normal tire wear.
As a result of the functional distribution of both the rear and front tires, we have clearly shown that the damage caused to the tires varies depending on the location of the tires and the different nature of the main tasks of the tire, which draws a distinctive pattern that proves tire wear and damage and that it has come to an end and has died on the roads bravely.
Second: structural design
- Front tires: Due to their functional role, front tires are designed with reinforced side layers, reinforced with hard materials and carbon fibers, as well as reinforced with techniques such as (Steel Belted) that help increase the front tires withstand the pressure caused by braking and steering. These supporting layers vary from one tire to another according to the environment and roads for which the tire is designed. Each tire has different challenges related to the surrounding environment, but all front tires share their custom structural design.
- Rear tires: carrying heavy weights, distributing thrust, and exposure to shocks are all tasks assigned to rear tires that rely on to support the load. Therefore, the overall structure of the rear tires is designed with a clear preference in terms of durability and rigidity through accumulated and overlapping layers of synthetic fibers, carbon, silica, etc., to provide real support that prevents the tire from losing its durability and poor performance.
Companies rely on their most skilled engineers to design tire structures because they are the most important part in manufacturing high-quality tires that are designed to meet the challenges assigned to each tire. Because functions vary from one tire to another, the structural design of tires shows us the significant impact of the nature of tire installation on their performance on the roads.
Third: wear patterns
Due to the fact that the front tires steer the truck and turn right and left, this results in a special pattern of wear on the front tires, different from their rear counterparts. The wear pattern can be defined as the area that is exposed to the highest percentage of wear and tear in the tires due to friction on the road. The following is a table showing the wear patterns of both the front tires and the rear tires.
Boomer
front tires
rear tires
Typical wear is concentrated on the outer and inner edges of tires due to frequent turns and turns. Wear is concentrated on the center of the tire due to the large weight of the load, which presses the tires vertically. Common causes are problems in adjusting alignment and tire angles such as (Camber\ toe) Problems with low and excessive internal air pressure may lead to accelerated wear. Impact on safety. Driver loses the ability to maintain cornering. The stopping distance increases and the traction force decreases significantly
Fourth: maintenance requirements
Maintenance requirements vary due to the difference in the functional distribution of tires, wear patterns and different structural design. Front tires have special needs because they are responsible for steering the truck, while sharing the rest of the things with different tires.
Front tires: Front tires require regular maintenance of the angles and direction of the tires. Alignment should be checked every 10,000 kilometers. This is in the general recommendations of truck and tire companies. However, in the event of a collision or severe blow, the angles of the front tires should be checked directly to avoid increased tire damage and higher fuel consumption.
Rear tires: The requirements for the rear tires are reduced due to constant performance and the lack of change in traffic angles. However, due to heavy loads, the internal air pressure of the tires must be taken into account and not exceed the limits allowed by the tire manufacturer, in addition to the process of rotating the tires and changing their positions periodically every 8,000 kilometers in order to distribute wear evenly and avoid abnormal damage.
Causes of front tire wear:
1: Wheel unbalance
The impact of wheel balance on tires can be understood by understanding the direct relationship between the suspension system and the tires. This is because the suspension system in trucks is the most responsible for the levels of damage in tires, due to the vibrations transmitted by the suspension system, uneven pressure and steering at uncontrolled angles. All these complex data lead to a significant increase in uneven wear levels in the tread, especially on the inner and outer edges of tires. A study conducted by the Engineering Institute for Transport (ITE) indicated that untreated vibrations accelerate tire wear by 30%. The reality experienced by drivers confirms these studies And that the tires are directly affected by the safety of the steering angles, the suspension system and the quality of the rest of the parts associated with the truck.
Signs of wheel imbalance:
- The steering wheel vibrates at high speeds or between 60 and 80 km/h.
- The appearance of a specific pattern of tire wear called “Cupping Wear” on the surface of the tire's tread.
Suggested solutions: You can use mechanical techniques available in repair shops to adjust wheel balance and align angles.
2: inappropriate air pressure
The air pressure inside the tires fills the gap between the two sides of the tires, providing a strong support that is the basis for tire work. Any imbalance in tire calibration can cause an acceleration in tire wear. The effect varies depending on the degree of decrease or increase.
- Overpressure: It increases the rigidity of the tire and reduces the area of contact with the asphalt road, raising the temperatures caused by the friction of the tread with the road, causing rapid central wear that kills the tire in the middle. The Tire and Rim Organization (ETRTO) indicates that increasing the pressure by only 10% above the recommended pressure percentage reduces the life of the tire by 5%. Therefore, drivers should be careful not to exceed the recommended standards and guidelines provided by tire and truck manufacturers.
- Low pressure: It increases the flexibility of the sidewalls, resulting in the following problems:
- Intense lateral friction leads to edge wear.
- High risk of tread separation from the tire structure (Tread Separation) due to high temperatures.
- Increased engine load and poor maneuverability.
Tire manufacturers have been working for a long time to provide smart tires that carry air pressure monitors (TPMS) that send immediate alerts when there is any change in air pressure inside the tires.
3: Misadjustment of angles (Alignment)
Adjusting wheel angles or alignment incorrectly and without expert supervision directly leads to an uneven distribution of weight on tires, thus increasing pressure on one tire and not others. This causes wear and tear of the tire that is under pressure. The process of adjusting tire angles includes both the angle of inclination (Camber) and the angle of deviation (Toe). In the event of an imbalance, one side of the tire will be subject to severe excessive pressure, which increases the acceleration of wear and damage, especially at high speeds and rough roads, while in the event of an imbalance in the angle of deviation, the impact falls on the degree of contact of the tire with the asphalt while driving, creating a pattern Uneven wear is new, which in turn increases the risk of loss of vehicle control and difficulty in installing the steering wheel. Therefore, regular wheel alignment checks and angle correction should be performed to avoid uneven wear problems that affect drivers in terms of safety and economy.
4: Overload and misdistribution
The front tires carry the weights of the engine and its accessories, which are usually 25% of the weight of the truck, while the load weights are concentrated on the rear tires. This causes a difference in balance. The load must be arranged in a way that makes the weight balanced and divided among all tires. When the truck is loaded with higher weights than prescribed in the safety instructions and exceeds the endurance of the front tires, the speed of wear increases and the risk of sudden tire explosion increases. In order to keep the front and rear tires in the best condition and extend the life of use, the limits set by manufacturers and traffic departments must be adhered to and distribution techniques are applied The load is equal. This all contributes significantly to improving the driving experience and avoiding technical problems and front tire wear problems early.
Among the techniques used to distribute the load evenly are the following:
1. The use of load cells and sensors: load cells measure the weight of the cargo and ensure that it is distributed evenly to all truck axles. These devices can be adopted because they provide accurate readings and facilitate the control and distribution of cargo, in addition to the possibility of using (LiDAR) technology to measure load capacity and weight distribution with high accuracy, which contributes to improving the efficiency of logistics work and reducing human errors.
2. Adherence to the guidelines for the distribution of cargo: to ensure an equal distribution on all sides of the truck, you must know and follow the instructions provided by truck and tire manufacturers, in addition to raising awareness that traffic departments and competent bodies are working on in this regard. What these bodies recommend is to place heavy weights in the middle of the truck towards the back to reduce the impact of the load on the truck's steering. If the cargo is large, it is preferable to divide it into parts and arrange them in a way that ensures the preservation of goods and does not disturb the balance.
3. The use of fastening and fastening equipment: Laces, belts and wooden barriers are the basic tools for stabilizing cargo, distributing weights and preventing their movement while traveling, taking into account the bumps that trucks face and sharp turns. With these tools, it is possible to ensure the stability and stability of the truck and the cargo.
4. Computer simulation programs: You can use computer simulation programs to distribute the load virtually and find out the best and most effective way to stabilize the cargo and improve the performance of the truck during the journey. These programs can provide insights and solutions for large weights and the possibility of distributing and arranging them according to size, weight and shape, in addition to the category, type, size and carrying capacity of the truck.
5: Harsh driving and sudden braking
“Information: sudden braking raises the tire temperature to 120 degrees Celsius in a few seconds.
- American Truck Association ATA “
Good and bad driving habits have the most important impact on the wear of the front tires in particular. However, when some drivers practice an aggressive driving style based on sharp and fast turns and sudden braking, this practice results in a large amount of damage to the tires on the one hand and the suspension system on the other hand. The fact that the front tires are responsible for steering makes them at the highest levels of damage and damage. This is because turns focus pressure on one side of the tire and braking operations are focused on a specific part of the tread, which speeds up the wear of these parts and increases the speed of early signs of tread damage. Relying on a smooth and quiet driving style will avoid many accidents and visits to maintenance centers while maintaining the front and rear tires and significantly extending their life.
6: The quality of roads and different terrains
The nature of the surrounding environment and the different road terrain play an important role in affecting the wear of front tires as they are the first to receive rough terrain. Since front tires are the main means of steering a truck, they face great challenges with mud and wet terrain as they are subject to unstable pressure due to turns and handling bumps, which contributes to their wear faster than usual on flat roads. Driving on unpaved roads also makes it difficult to control, distribute and maintain balance, making all tires in chaos, while providing paved roads The level of conditions is more compatible with tires because they reduce mechanical stress on tires and make it easier for them to distribute load and pressure more stably. Finally, care must be taken when driving on unpaved roads and difficult terrain to avoid damage to the truck and tires.
How to avoid front tire wear:
First: periodic examination
- Visual inspection: Do a visual inspection of the front tires on a daily basis for any cracks, punctures, or irregular and abnormal wear marks.
- Pattern depth measurement: Use a depth gauge to make sure that the engraving is not less than the minimum safe limits or you can use a coin to examine it. If half of the coin disappears, things are good. If most of the coin appears, this indicates that the pattern has been damaged.
Second: adjust the air pressure
- Use accurate gauges: Some gauges may have a high error rate, making tire pressure different and uneven, so it is preferable to adjust them through accurate gauges.
- Follow the company's recommendations: You should follow what tire and truck manufacturers say in terms of air pressure in order to avoid unwanted wear.
Third: the obligation to maintain the truck periodically
- Adjust angles: Make sure to perform periodic checks to adjust alignment angles and correct deviations.
- Wheel balance: rotate and balance the tires regularly to ensure an even distribution of weight.
- Comprehensive maintenance: Be sure to perform thorough checks of the suspension system and other mechanical components and parts to avoid their negative impact on tire wear.
Fourth: Using high quality tires
- Choose tires that match your needs and the nature of the roads on which the truck operates.
- Investing in high-quality tires contributes to reducing wear and improving truck performance.
Fifth: Adopting a smooth and effective leadership style
- Avoid sudden acceleration, braking and sharp turns at high speeds.
- Experts recommend adopting a smooth and quiet driving style to reduce fatigue on tires and extend their lifespan.
Epilogue
Tire care is one of the most important things that drivers should consider and adhere to periodically. Specifically, when it comes to front tires for trucks, they are of the most important importance in affecting truck performance in terms of cargo and traffic on highways. These simple steps we learned in this article can be considered a real investment because they reduce tire consumption, reduce regular maintenance costs and avoid accidents and mechanical problems.
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