2016 CVSA Roadcheck Puts Emphasis on Tire Safety

The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) 2016 International Roadcheck, now in its 29th year, will take place June 7-9 at locations across North America. Approximately 10,000 CVSA-certified local, state, provincial, territorial, and federal inspectors in jurisdictions throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will perform large truck and bus safety inspections during the world’s largest targeted enforcement program for commercial motor vehicles.

In addition to the customary 37-step North American Standard Level I Inspection, the event places special emphasis each year on a category of violations.

This year’s emphasis is tire safety and will include:

• Measuring the tire tread depth;

• Checking the tire pressure;

• Checking to make sure no items are lodged between dual tires;

• Examining the overall condition of the tire to ensure no deep cuts or bulges exist in the sidewalls of the tire.

Checking vehicle tires is always part of roadside inspections. However, CVSA is highlighting tire safety this year as a reminder of its importance to drivers and carriers.

Everything Rides on Tire Safety

Everything related to driving involves the tires – starting, moving, turning and stopping. That’s why the importance of properly maintaining them cannot be overemphasized.

Factors that affect tire wear and life include:

• Pressure – Underinflation creates excessive heat, seriously reduces tire life, increases fuel consumption, diminishes control of the vehicle and is the leading cause of tire failure. Overinflation causes the center of the tread to bear the majority of the vehicle’s weight, leading to faster deterioration and premature and uneven wear.

• Alignment – Poor alignment can quickly wear out tires, result in decreased traction and even cause your vehicle to veer off to one side.

• Rotation – Each tire on your vehicle supports a different amount of weight. Tire rotation helps to equalize tread wear and is critical for gaining the maximum tire lifespan.

• Tread – Tread wear patterns indicate whether tires are properly balanced, aligned and inflated. Advanced and unusual wear can reduce the ability of the tread to grip the road.

Tire Safety Reminders

Inasmuch as tires are among the most important vehicle component, tire safety (§ 393.75: Tires) and their inspection (§ 396.11: Driver vehicle inspection report[s] and § 396.13: Driver inspection) are required by Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. Make sure that you fully understand these regulations and know what is required.

Here are some procedures to help you stay on top of your tire safety:

• Check tire inflation with an accurate gauge as part of your daily inspection routine; check the air pressure when the tire is cold, before starting a trip for a more accurate reading. If a tire is having problems maintaining air pressure, contact your maintenance personnel immediately.

• Visually check the tire tread for uneven wear, looking for high and low areas or unusually smooth areas. According to § 393.75: Tires, “any tire on the front wheels of a bus, truck, or truck tractor shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 4/32 of an inch when measured at any point on a major tread groove.” For more information on tire tread depth, click here.

• Check spacers, if equipped, and look between dual tires for any obstructions or foreign objects. Dual wheels should be evenly separated.

• Scan treads for any sharp objects that may have punctured the tires. Clean out rocks or debris lodged in deep tread. Check sidewalls for gouges, cracks, splits, cuts, bulges or other irregularities, and listen for air leaks. Inspect valve stems for cuts, cracks or other damage; immediately replace missing valve caps.

• Check for missing or loose lug nuts and inspect lug nuts for cracks, rust, shiny threads and gaps. • Examine rims to ensure they are not cracked, bent, broken or welded. Also look for any oil or grease on the inside or outside of the rims; that could indicate that a wheel seal or hub seal is broken or damaged.

• Replace damaged tires immediately. IMPORTANT NOTE: Today, commercial vehicle tires are available through a variety of sources including: vehicle dealerships, tire retailers, wholesale distributors, online suppliers and even ebay and Craigslist. Do your research before you invest to make sure that you are purchasing from a reputable, trustworthy source.

•Be sure that your tires are properly balanced and have the wheel alignment checked by a qualified technician as specified by the vehicle owner’s manual or whenever you have an indication of trouble, such as pulling or vibration.

• Keep your tires clean. Tires often pick up chemicals, mud and debris that can cause the rubber to deteriorate. Tire experts recommend washing the tires at the same time the vehicle is washed. Pay special attention to the inside dual tires, which are commonly ignored. • Follow the vehicle and tire manufacturer’s recommendations for correct tire inflation, vehicle and tire load limits, appropriate rotation timeframe, pattern and replacement tire specifications (i.e., size, type), speed rating designations and tire age limit.

• Be sure that tires not currently being used are stored properly to prevent damage and deterioration.

• Obey all traffic laws. Avoid fast starts, stops and turns, as well as braking around curves and corners. Steer clear of potholes and other objects in the road. If you do hit or run over a large piece of road debris, pull over at the next safe opportunity to inspect the tire for damage.

Tire Care Produces Multiple Benefits

Tires are designed to provide thousands of miles of excellent service, but for maximum benefit, they must be properly maintained. Doing so can help improve vehicle handling, boost fuel economy, increase the life of your tires, avoid citations and out-of-service violations. Most importantly, properly maintained tires will help protect drivers and others from avoidable breakdowns and accidents.

LANCER INSURANCE COMPANY

370 WEST PARK AVENUE, P.O. BOX 9004 , LONG BEACH, NY 11561-9004 • 516.431.4441 • www.lancerinsurance.com

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