Leading Causes of Tyre Damage

1 – Inflation Pressure

The weight of the load is carried by the air within the tyre, not the tyre itself. Maintaining the correct inflation pressure is absolutely necessary to guarantee the tyre’s performance. Pressure should always be set to, and maintained at the maximum load- / -pressure specification recommended by the tyre manufacturer.

COMMON MISTAKES

• Underinflating causes excessive deflection in the tyre, increasing the heat level and leading to premature tyre failure.
• Overinflating restricts the natural deflection of the tyre, leading to premature tyre failure.

SOLUTIONS

• Check the appropriate maximum load- / -pressure ratio of a tyre and then calculate the best combination for your use. A lower inflation pressure limits load capacity.
• Pressure should be checked at regular intervals.
• Underinflating and overinflating should be avoided.

2 – Heat build up

Heat is the tyre’s worst enemy and is caused by several factors. As a tyre rotates under the weight of a vehicle and its load, it repeatedly deforms and recovers, which generates lots of energy. When this energy is released, heat builds up, making it more susceptible to wear, cuts and structural fatigue. The amount of heat build-up is determined by several factors including:

• Underinflation
• Overloading
• High speeds
• Harsh braking
• Aggressive cornering
• Poorly designed or badly maintained roads
• Working outside tyre specs
• Seasonal influences

COMMON MISTAKES

• Underinflating and overinflating
• Exceeding the load capacity of a tyre
• Driving at a higher speed than the designated load / speed capacity
• Non-professional driving style, with harsh braking and aggressive cornering
• Neglected road maintenance
• Poor design of the road, for example, the road is too steep
• Not taking into consideration seasonal effects

SOLUTIONS

• Underinflating and overinflating should be avoided
• Ensure the vehicle carries no more than the appropriate load capacity and drives at the corresponding speed
• Gradients in the road shouldn’t exceed 5%-6% and should be maintained regularly
• Always maintain a professional driving style to ensure a prolonged tyre life.

All these factors contribute to an increased deformation / recovery process, generating more energy and heat build-up resulting in a reduced tyre lifetime.

3 – Vehicle Maintenance

Finally, vehicle maintenance is another important factor for efficient use. The machine’s performance can cause severe damage to its tyres. Neglecting regular vehicle maintenance can severely reduce tyre life and increase its running cost.

COMMON MISTAKES

• Misalignment causing tread separation, increased and- / -or irregular tread wear, tyre vibration
• Broken suspension, increased and- / -or irregular tread wear
• Fuel and oil leaks damage to the rubber compound which shortens tyre life

SOLUTIONS

• Always ensure regular vehicle maintenance.