Tire info to help you get the job done
Here it is. Everything you ever wanted to know about tires from the ground up. How to choose a tire. How to decide what you need in a tire. How tires are built. How to inspect your tires. And much more. Read on and learn what you need to know to keep on rolling.
Learn The Tire Basics
How to Read the Sidewall of a Tire
Learn how to understand the sidewall markings on your tires.
BFGoodrich: Manufacturer Name
Route Control: Tire Line
M + S (Mud and Snow): Added Benefit
245: Tire Width (in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall)
70: Aspect Ratio (tire height as a percentage of width)
R: “R” for Radial Construction
19.5: Rim Diameter in inches
S: Steer Position
136/134 M: ISO Load Index and Speed Symbol is a designation that indicates a tire with a load index of 136 when used as a single tire and 134 when used as a dual tire set, and a speed rating of ""M"", which means it is designed for a maximum speed of 81 mph (130 km/h).
Tubeless: Tubeless tire
How to Read DOT Identification
The Department of Transportation (DOT) marking is your tire's identification number. Think of it as a birth certificate for your tire. It shows the plant where your tire was manufactured, along with the week and the year it was born.
DOT Safety Code Translation
DOT: Department of Transportation
M5: Plant Code (US3)
3T: Optional code for size
DT11: Dimensional code (sculpture)
1014: Week and year produced
Making Sense of ISO Load Index and Speed Symbol
The ISO* LOAD INDEX is a numerical code associated with the max load a tire can carry at the speed indicated by its speed symbol (under service conditions specified by the tire manufacturer). (Note: 1 kg – 2.205 lbs.)
The ISO* SPEED SYMBOL indicates the speed at which the tire can carry a load corresponding to its Load Index (under service conditions specified by the tire manufacturer).**
*International Standardization Organization
**Exceeding the legal speed limit is neither recommended nor endorsed.
Tread Design Comparisons
RIB TREAD DESIGN: STEER & TRAILER
Characterization: Grooves are parallel to each other in the tread, ranging in tread depths from 11/32nds to 23/32nds, thus forming ribs.
Benefits: Usually significantly better for fuel economy, although does not provide enhanced wet or snow traction.
Position: Usually found on the steering axle of a truck/tractor and on other free rolling axles such as trailers, dollies, tag and pusher axles. Also found on torque axles when traction is not a high priority.
BLOCK OR LUG TREAD DESIGN: DRIVE
Characterization: Grooves placed laterally and perpendicular within the tread, ranging from 14/32nds to 32/32nds, creating lugs or blocks.
Benefits: Selected primarily for traction and improved mileage.
Position: Usually found on the drive or torque axle. The increased tread depth is needed to offset the scrubbing and/or spinning that can occur when power is transmitted to the drive axle.
Tire Selection Tips
WHAT'S IN A TIRE NAME?
Much of what you need to know about a truck tire can be found in its name. Look at the tire name below to understand how tires are named and how they work.
BFGoodrich® Radial
Application
Highway = Line Haul application
Route = Regional application
Cross = On/Off Road application
Control
Puts you in charge of the road ahead
Position
S = Steer
D = Drive
T = Trailer
Tire Maintenance and Safety
Tire Inflation Basics
SO WHAT EXACTLY DOES PSI STAND FOR?
Want to prolong the life of your tires, the comfort of your ride and the safety of your truck? It's not complicated. Start by checking your tire pressure every month when your tires are cold, before driving. Here are a few tips to help you get your PSI (which stands for pounds per square inch, by the way) just right.
HOW TO WEIGH YOUR TRUCK
Be sure to weigh your vehicles, fully loaded, on a scale. Each axle, front and rear, and trailer must be weighed separately. Actual gross axle weights should be compared with the manufacturer's tire data book to determine the inflation pressure required. The load carried by each individual front axle tire should be noted. If the maximum load-carrying capacity of the tire is below the actual scale weight, greater carrying capacity tires must be used, either a higher load index (load range or ply rating) or a larger tire size.
THE EFFECTS OF UNDER-INFLATION
Under-inflation increases sidewall flexing, which then generates way too much heat. Too much heat leads to tire deterioration. And tire deterioration leads to bumps, bruises, cuts and tire failure.
THE EFFECTS OF OVER-INFLATION
Over-inflation makes the tire very susceptible to damage, along with rapid tread wear.
Tire Wear
HOW TO GET THE MOST MILES OUT OF YOUR TIRES
If you've ever seen someone burn rubber at a stoplight, you know what causes tire wear. Friction. What you may not realize is that the wear caused by friction is the result of several factors, including the tire's rubber, the tire's load and inflation and the influence of the vehicle's mechanical systems (such as alignment with road surfaces).
To achieve max tire wear, tires should be properly aligned, properly inflated and carry the proper load weight. All of which should create a well-worn footprint with weight evenly distributed over the footprint to maximize the tire's tread life. Unfortunately, in the real world, plenty of good tires suffer from poor maintenance.
Click on the links below to understand how you can assess irregular tire wear issues
Pre-Trip Inspection
BEFORE YOU START YOUR HAUL, START WITH YOUR TIRES
A pre-trip inspection is an essential part of hitting the road. Every time. That's because an inspection increases safety and maximizes uptime. Not to mention the fact that pre-trip inspections are a regulatory requirement. Make sure you own a calibrated air gauge, then follow the steps below.
THE PRE-TRIP INSPECTION IN SIX EASY STEPS:
Check your tires for proper inflation. If a tire is 20% below its targeted PSI, it is considered flat and should be replaced. Also, dual tires should be within 10 PSIs of each other.
Check your valve caps to make sure they are properly secured.
Look for tread wear and check proper tread depth.
Check for tire cuts or bulges in the sidewall.
Check wheel and lug nut conditions. Make sure there is no rust or bends.
Inspect suspension components.
TIRE MAINTENANCE & CSA
Tire maintenance violations under the United States Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) Program are very serious, and always have been, because they pose such a high safety risk. The CSA program applies to all vehicles operating on U.S. soil. The majority of the tire violations are those that could cause a tire to rapidly lose pressure and render the vehicle ""Out of Service"" (OOS). These count much higher against a fleet and driver in the Safety Management System (SMS) score point system. It is in the interest of the driver to keep an eye on the vehicle's tires, as well the other critical safety items.
CSA uses data gathered from roadside inspections to assign a score from seven different Behavior, Analysis, Safety Improvement Categories (BASIC) areas. These include:
Unsafe driving
Fatigued driving
Driver fitness
Controlled substances/alcohol
Cargo related
Crash indicator
Vehicle maintenance
Tire violations are tracked under the "vehicle maintenance" area. The most severe violations are weighted at 8, while the less severe are weighted at 3. Tire violations including flat tire or exposed fabric, ply or belt material exposed, tread or sidewall separation, audible air leak, cut exposing ply or belt material and tread depth carry an eight-point violation. Re-grooved tires, tire load weight rating and under-inflated tires carry a three-point violation. Both fleet and driver scores are affected by violations and any vehicle maintenance violation stays with the fleet for 24 months.
Violation descriptions
| Section | Violation Description Shown on Roadside Inspection | Group | Weight | OOS | Driver Resp. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 393.75(a) | Flat tire (pressure 1/2 of sidewall max pressure) or fabric exposed | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(a)(1) | Tire—ply or belt material exposed | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(a)(2) | Tire—tread and/or sidewall separation | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(a)(3) | Tire—flat (pressure 1/2 of sidewall max pressure) and/or audible air leak | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(a)(4) | Tire—cut exposing ply and/or belt material | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(b) | Tire—front tread depth less than 4/32 of inch | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(c) | Tire—other tread depth less than 2/32 of inch | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(d) | Tire—bus re-grooved/recap on front wheel | Tires | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(e) | Tire—re-grooved on front of truck/truck-tractor | Tire vs. Load | 3 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(f) | Tire—load weight rating/under-inflated | Tire vs. Load | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(f)(1) | Weight carried exceeds tire load limit | Tire vs. Load | 8 | Yes | Yes |
| 393.75(f)(2) | Tire under-inflated | Tire vs. Load | 3 | Yes | Yes |
How to avoid oos tire violations
INSPECT TIRES PRIOR TO EACH TRIP
Drivers can perform pre-trip inspections to ensure the tractor and trailer tires comply. Each tire issue is simple for a driver to spot while inspecting the vehicle. Here are the issues you should check for during your pre-trip inspection:
Proper tire pressure
Tread depths
Irregular wear
Inspect suspension components
FOLLOW RECOMMENDED PROCEDURES
Follow recommended repair procedures outlined by Tire Maintenance Council (TMC) to reduce the risk of a citation.
UTILIZE TRAINING RESOURCES AVAILABLE
Keep an eye on your vehicle's tires, as well the other critical safety items to avoid a dangerous driving situation and to avoid an unwanted CSA violation. For more details on tire maintenance protocol and CSA standards, visit http://csa.fmcsa.dot.gov.