The maintenance of
your equipment is extremely important when you are driving a truck, and truck
maintenance is something you will learn about when you take MC Truck driver training Brisbane. When
driving a truck, your truck’s tyres are very important and have a lot to do
with your safety on the road. Since they are the main point of contact between
the road and the truck, they can quickly get a lot of wear and tear, especially
if you are carrying heavy loads.
Why is Tyre Maintenance so Important?
Before looking at
the ways you can maintain your truck tyres to avoid damage, you may be
wondering why tyre maintenance is so important. The tyres are critical to the
way that your truck operates. For example, if you have a tyre that is
underinflated, it could end up being extremely difficult to steer your truck.
Underinflating a tyre can lead to increased stress and heat on the tyre. This
can then cause the tyre to rip apart, causing a severe safety problem. Tyres
that are not properly maintained may also end up shedding rubber chunks as you
are driving down the road, which can be problematic as well. Maintaining your tyres
can keep you, and other drivers, safe and it is an important lesson to take
away from your MC driver training
Brisbane school.
Check Tyres before Driving
One of the best
ways to maintain your truck tyres and avoid damage to them is to make sure that
you check tyres before you begin driving. More than likely, when you took your Heavy Combination Truck driver
training at Brisbane Truck driving School, you learned that it is
important to check your vehicle before you drive it. When you check your truck,
make sure that you check the tyres. Look carefully at each tyre, looking to see
if there are any problems, such as a bulging sidewall, separated tread or a tyre
that is misaligned.
Check Tyre Pressure
The tyre pressure
should be checked on a regular basis. Ensure that you know the right level of
inflation for your tyres so you can find out if they are at the correct tyre
pressure. If you find that a tyre has less than 80% of the recommended
pressure, the tyre may have a serious problem that needs to be addressed.
Ensure You Have the Right Tyres
Of course, having the right tyres
on your truck is also important. You probably have learned that different truck axles may need
different tyres, something that may have come up in your Multi Combination driver training Brisbane class. The steering axle
requires tyres that can easily grip the road to give you good steering control.
Another thing you may have learned in your MC
driver training Brisbane is the importance of ensuring that your tyre can
support enough weight. While a tyre that supports less weight may be cheaper,
if it is not able to support enough weight, you may overload it and end up
blowing it out while you are driving.
Follow Good Driving Habits
Your driving habits
are also important when it comes to maintaining truck tyres. You can make your tyres
last a lot longer by making sure you drive at safe speeds. No doubt, your MC
driver training Brisbane Truck School taught
you the importance of driving at a safe speed, but you may not have realised
that doing so will extend the life of your tyres. Faster speeds may make your tyres
wear out faster.
Avoid Obstacles
It is important to
avoid obstacles on the road, since obstacles can seriously damage your tyres.
Obstacles in the road, such as debris and potholes, can be devastating to your tyres.
Not only is it important to avoid obstacles, but be careful when parking as
well. Avoid running into curbs, since they can unseat your tyre’s sidewall from
the wheel or end up tearing out the sidewall.
If you fail to
maintain your tyres, not only can it lead to expensive repairs, but it could
lead to an accident as well. While your HC driver training should teach you
about proper truck tyre maintenance, above were a few tips to remember when you
are ready to head out on the road.