Driving with low-quality or worn out tyres can be extremely dangerous. Risk is even higher for heavy commercial vehicles that haul a huge load. Unsafe and worn-out tyres can create a loss of traction and blown out which ultimately cause serious road accidents. Hence well maintained tyres not only prevent road accidents but also provide a smoother ride.
The following commercial tyre safety checklist can help drivers to ensure that their vehicle’s tyres are reliable and safe.
Commercial Tyre Safety Checklist
Commercial trucking regulation in the UAE insists on performing a thorough pre-trip to a post-trip inspection of all tyres. However, drivers who fail to follow the regulation could be accountable for any uncertain situation caused because of them. Read on to find out commercial tyre safety dos and don’ts.
Follow the speed limit
Drivers must follow the recommended speed limit to avoid hefty fines and penalties. The speed limit for commercial vehicles in the UAE is 80 km/h on highways; however, it is 100 km/h for buses and minibuses. Following the UAE speed limit is also important to extend their life and ensure safe driving.
Select the Right Tyre
Before you buy a tyre for your vehicle make sure you properly check its size, load carrying capacity, life and durability. If your vehicle has mismatched tyres, then the load will be distributed unevenly causing pressure on one tyre. However, adding too much pressure can lead to tyre burst when driving fast on the main highway.
Tyre Pressure
Having too much or too little air pressure in tyres can overheat and blow them out. The recommended tyre pressure of heavy vehicles is between 32 to 40 psi (pound per square inch) when cold. Cold inflation pressure means the pressure before they are driven.
Tyre Wear
Worn out tyres with damaged treads, cuts and bald spots may not have proper traction which makes steering and braking difficult. According to ESMA, the recommended tread depth for heavy trucks and buses is 3.2 mm. You can check tyre tread depth with a coin before taking your vehicle on the highway. Otherwise, you need to pay AED 500 fine if you are caught driving a vehicle with worn-out tyres. Hence, it is essential to change car tyres when needed.
Dual Tyre Contact
Most commercial vehicles often boast dual tyre configuration. In such a scenario, two tyres will be placed nearby. However, if these tyres are set together and make contact with each other, then they can easily be worn out due to overheating and tyre bearing stress.
Check Rims and Valve Stem
Another thing you must include in your commercial vehicle tyres safety checklist is safe and undamaged rims. Damaged tyre rims can put extra pressure on lugs and nuts. Loose or damaged rims can cause shaky and vibration while driving.
Your vehicle’s tyre can also lose air pressure and overheat in case a tyre valve stem is damaged. Hence, you must keep a spare tyre that can be used if your tyre fails in the middle of the road.
Rusted and Loose Lug Nuts
The driver should carefully check rusted lug nuts and hand tight them during each inspection. In both conditions, your wheel can get damaged and become unstable while driving.
Oil and Grease on Rims
If you find oil and grease on your wheels’ rims, check if the wheel seal or hub seal is broken. This condition can fail the wheel bearing of your truck’s wheel.
With this, we conclude our safety checklist for commercial tyres. It is recommended that drivers should conduct an inspection before taking their trucks out on the road. In case you find the mentioned issue, get your tyres repaired and carry an emergency tyre repair kit.
Experts also suggest that drivers of heavy vehicles should always monitor the tyre’s condition by doing proper wheel alignment and tyre rotation. If your tyres are completely worn-out, then consider buying a used car in the UAE for better drive and safety.
If you like this guide, stay tuned to the UAE’s leading auto blog for more maintenance tips.
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