According to what you say American Transportation Organization (ATA) Only 20% of the annual maintenance budget falls victim to tire maintenance. Through this percentage, we can understand the importance of truck tires in their broad economic context, which in turn is involved in the economy of logistics transportation services, so that this impact reaches the entire local economy and then spreads to the whole world. What made the matter more serious is that tires are the most vital element in trucks and vehicles in general, in addition to the interference and intersection between the industry sector tyres and rubber with other industrial sectors.
Fortunately, the percentage of annual maintenance costs can be significantly reduced through some thoughtful practices and strategies that save nearly half of these annual costs and reduce them to a level that makes a difference if you look at it in logistics fleets. Through this article, we review the best practices and techniques that avoid unnecessary waste in the costs of replacement and regular maintenance, with a focus on providing the most effective solutions in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf region, because it is especially distinguished from others by its difficult terrain and the significant differences in temperatures, which increases the acceleration of the consumption of your truck tires Her sisters are in other areas.
What is the importance of regular maintenance of tires and their role in extending their life?
Regular maintenance is a protective shield against costly and deadly disasters. Statistics show that discarded tires cause at least 35% of truck failures on commercial highways. The main tasks in the maintenance process that drivers should perform are:
First: Check the depth of the tread on a weekly basis, using the specialized tools available in most approved maintenance shops and centers. Its decrease from 3.2 mm contributes to an increase in the risk of slipping by 50% in rainy weather and wet roads, as confirmed by Institute Safety upon roadways Fast (IIHS) This is one of the most prominent signs of the imminent expiration of tires and the need to replace them urgently, because continuing to drive on tires that hold poorly on the road and are easy to slip poses a danger to you and other drivers.
Second: Carrying out a wheel alignment check every 10 thousand kilometers. This process is useful in reducing the level of tire consumption because an imbalance in tire alignment by only 0.1 degrees accelerates tire wear by 10%. This is a serious percentage at the long level, especially in commercial transport trucks that can hardly stop. This was confirmed by University Michigan technological Through a study conducted on tires, this procedure can significantly contribute to maintaining quality tyres front.
Third: Maintenance of suspension systems and truck balance. The suspension system is the first means that connects wheels to the truck. Therefore, it is responsible for tire problems, especially if there is an imbalance in the distribution of power and torque. Therefore, it is necessary to visit a specialized maintenance center to check the suspension system and its related matters to find out its general condition and ensure that it does not have a negative impact on tires.
How does the correct air pressure affect tire performance and lifespan?
Three-quarters of drivers check the air pressure in their truck tires only when there are obvious signs and problems that require it. This indicates that this task is one of the most neglected routine tasks. This negligence costs the global transport sector 12 billion dollars a year in damaged, wasted tires and excess fuel consumed. These problems stem from an imbalance in internal tire pressure levels. In the event of low pressure, the tire tire (tire) is significantly flat, which increases the contact area between the tire (tire) and the asphalt road. This may seem worthless to you, but its actual effect is to increase the tire temperature to nearly 90 degrees Celsius is a high degree for the composite rubber from which tires are made in general. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), this causes tire wear to accelerate by 45% above the normal level of even tire wear.
On the other hand, the high level of pressure inside the tires has different effects. Here, the contact area between the tread and the asphalt road decreases, leaving 60% of the total load weight focused on the central area of the tire, causing radial cracks that appear after a period of use, which may be estimated at about six months, according to the analyses conducted by specialists. Here, we all know that the internal air pressure of the tires must be balanced and neither the drop nor the height can be a safe option, while drivers can simply follow and comply with the instructions attached by the manufacturers on various roads, ensuring their safety In general and a greater guarantee in the event of an accident.
One of the solutions that is being proposed is the so-called “smart air pressure monitoring systems (TPMS)”. These systems send and send immediate alerts to the driver via mobile phone to alert him to low pressure inside the tires directly. These systems installed on many trucks around the world have contributed to an incredible reduction in accident levels by up to 62% according to the U.S. National Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) report in 2023. These statistics may not match our regions in the Middle East and the Arabian Gulf, but the matter is very similar and can be simulated or conducted accurate research in different countries Arabic.
What are the benefits of regular tire rotation and when should it be done?
Engineering science is included in every field to make it a more advanced field, as is the case with regard to tires. Through the engineering formation of tires, we can imagine a state of repeated use on a specific direction of tires and a continuous situation experienced by some tires without their sisters. How can we avoid uneven use?
This question can be answered with one word, which is “recycling.” This term requires some editing. Some may think that we are talking about recycling and this is a remote matter. Tire recycling is simply a specific pattern for changing the distribution of tires between the front, back, right and left, so that the positions of the tires change and do not stay fixed in a specific place. This process is a computational and engineering effort as the front tires, for example, bear 30% of the weight of the main load while the rear tires carry the largest percentage, of course, making the rotation of the front tires, returning them back and providing the rear ones contribute to distributing the level For every 15 thousand kilometers, tires are recycled, ensuring equal wear and a reduction in consumption levels and individual damage. Here are some suggested patterns for tire rotation:
- Cross rotation pattern (X-Pattern): During which the right front tire is moved to the left rear tire and vice versa, forming an X shape in English. This pattern achieves a greater distribution of braking forces on all tires and provides homogeneous wear between all tires, avoiding individual losses.
- Front-rear rotation pattern: In this mode, we shift the front tires to their rear counterparts in parallel. This pattern of rotation achieves a reduction in the levels of lateral wear caused by extreme turns and rough roads.
Tire recycling is a very important process for those who want to increase the life of tires by 25% if they are recycled every 15 thousand kilometers, in addition to using tires manufactured with techniques such as multiple layers of rubber (Multi - Compound), which gives a greater advantage in friction levels in rough and broken roads.
How does driving affect tire consumption and increased periodic costs?
Driving is not only a skill, but also the economic factor that determines the fate of your truck tires. Data reported by the American Truck Association has shown that drivers who drive their trucks quietly and smoothly save nearly 1500 dollars a year compared to those who drive their trucks crazy and randomly without proper use of brakes and reduced speed at extreme turns.
To understand things accurately, you can know that repeated braking at high speeds can damage a tire very early before the end of its life. This is because braking raises the temperature of tires to approximately 130 degrees Celsius, which is a very high temperature for the tires and the chemical compounds from which they are made, which contributes to speeding up the disintegration of composite materials and damage to rubber. Reliable sources confirm that high speed increases the levels of friction on asphalt roads in a frightening manner that may increase 40% above the level of the natural friction area, which results in the consumption of nearly 10% of journey fuel, In addition to consuming the tread layer and exposing it to a very difficult challenge.
All this clearly shows the importance of adopting a calm and balanced driving style that combines practical experience and general knowledge of traffic laws, which saves a lot of money, especially in the cases of logistics fleets and commercial transport companies. This money is wasted annually due to the recklessness and unprofessionalism of some drivers in driving, which calls for continuous monitoring to get the best experience and the lowest costs.
Ways to spot early signs of damage before serious problems occur
We have previously talked about visual inspection, but when it comes to early damage and in-depth tire diagnosis, it is necessary to use advanced tools that are superior to traditional visual inspection and routine examinations. This is all very important in identifying deep problems that are hidden from the eyes, but consume tires significantly and cause unexpected early damage. Now you can learn about advanced examinations:
- Industrial X-ray (Industrial X-ray): Through it, it is possible to detect the separation of the inner steel layers of tires, which separate due to repeated shocks. It is one of the faults that make up 18% of the causes of sudden tire explosion. It is very important to visit a specialized maintenance center that has X-ray equipment to avoid premature wear and unexpected tire explosion.
- Infrared Thermal Analysis (Infrared Thermography): This technique works to monitor the thermal differences between the areas of the same tire, as hot spots indicate excessive friction caused by the pressure of the axles and suspension systems. These analyzes conclusively show you the current condition of the tires. They are very important because you will be using the tire for five years or more and this is not a short period.
- Artificial intelligence techniques: With the advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, modern tire monitoring systems are available, such as the Tire Health Monitor system, which analyzes wear patterns through surveillance cameras and predicts faults weeks before they occur, providing a significant reduction in emergency maintenance costs by more than 30%, which contributes to reducing the maintenance budget for major service companies.
Environmental factors that affect tires: the constant battle of tires
Tires react to external conditions in ways that may surprise everyone, including experienced drivers. This is because rubber, which is the main material in the manufacture of tires, is a material that is susceptible to heat, humidity, tension and pressure, as well as chemical compounds added to rubber, making tires in their current shape and composition susceptible to environmental conditions such as heat, cold or humidity. Each situation has its own impact and we will follow them as follows:
- Extreme heat: Temperatures in the Arab region rise significantly to over 60 degrees Celsius in the summer. With this high temperature, tires become the surface that absorbs heat from the hot sun and asphalt, which in turn also absorbs heat. The result of this reaction is to accelerate the oxidation of rubber and reduce its shelf life by almost half, according to experiments conducted by tire manufacturers in the Middle East.
- Heavy rains: Despite the extreme heat in the summer, many areas in the Middle East enjoy heavy rains in winter and spring. Exposure of tires to a large amount of water affects the internal structure of the tire, while the greatest danger comes with tires with a tread thickness of less than 3 mm. The latter are susceptible to 70% slip when traveling at speeds exceeding 60 kilometers per hour.
The importance of choosing high-quality tires for longer sustainability
Choosing tires is a major investment in money and life. These tires are not just a cycle that rolls on the roads but are part of the general life experience. The decision about tires should be considered because it is long-term. No one thinks about replacing tires every year, but there are those looking for tires that last up to seven years, so it is important to know the most prominent signs that indicate the high quality and efficiency of tires.
- Load Index: The load index indicates the ability of a tire to carry weights. Each truck or vehicle has its own indicator, with a focus on choosing tires with higher indicators if you are traveling on rough and mountainous roads. Here, you need high impact resistance indicators.
- Speed Rating (Speed Rating): You can look for a table of speed rates to find out the speed that the tire can withstand, but don't think that your choice should be for tires that can withstand faster speeds than you do in your usual operations in order to provide a good area of safety and a greater ability to withstand long trips.
- Manufactured materials: You can choose tires that provide a guarantee on the quality of their products, such as Derbek tires, which come with custom designs for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, with high heat tolerance and unique features in their tires. By the way, it is the first Saudi company to receive the quality mark from (SASO), which represents a certificate of the quality of its products and their compliance with quality, safety and safety tests.
Conclusion: To increase the life of tires, you must understand them well
Truck tires are a vast world that welcomes drivers and technicians, but it is not possible to deal with it without a deep understanding of the role of tires in the economic and social process we live in today, which largely depends on the quality of the work of these tires and their performance to the fullest, because the Department of Economic and Life is linked to continuous logistics transport operations around the clock, which provides people with live communication with the world through trade, investment and participation.
