Why It Is A Big Mistake To Mix Your Truck Tires
As the wheels of your truck rotate to keep the vehicle moving on the road, it is the tires that take the brunt of your traveling. They will eventually wear out and require replacement. When it is time to replace your truck tires, it is important to get the right ones for the kind of driving you will be doing. One of the mistakes you should avoid is mixing tires on your vehicle.
Generally, you should avoid combining different tire brands and different tire sizes, constructions, tread patterns, load indexes, and speed ratings unless specified otherwise by the vehicle or tire manufacturer.
Here are some potential consequences of mixing your tires.
Reduced Vehicle Safety
Tires are the only part of a vehicle that constantly maintains contact with the road as the wheels are spinning. As the primary point of contact between your truck and the road you are traveling on, your truck tires are crucial for vehicle safety.
To achieve maximum vehicle safety, the tires should have enough tread depth to provide maximum traction.
Without adequate traction, your tires can't have a good grip on the road. Mixing tires may mean using tires that do not provide the desired level of traction. As a result, you can easily lose control of the vehicle.
Reduced Vehicle Performance
Many people don't know it, but there is a correlation between tire combinations and vehicle safety. Using the same brand of tires with similar traction and handling properties minimizes tire rolling resistance, allowing your truck to run fuel efficiently.
Rolling resistance refers to all the forces resisting the forward motion of the vehicle. The greater the rolling resistance on your tires, the more energy will be required to keep the vehicle moving at constant speeds.
If you mix your tires, you will increase the rolling resistance on your vehicle, thus hurting its fuel economy.
Reduced Tire Lifespan
Tires wear out at different rates, depending on the position they are fitted. If the front tires on your truck wear out faster than the rear ones, for example, you can ensure uniform wear by rotating the tires.
While tire rotation helps prolong the life of a set of tires on a vehicle, mixing tires reduces its effectiveness. If the tires on your vehicle are mismatched, they will not wear uniformly, even if they are placed in the same position. Consequently, you may have to replace rather than rotate those tires.
Your truck tires are crucial to the performance and safety of the vehicle. Keeping them in good condition is the best way to maximize their life. Contact your local tire supplier for more information on tires, such as Goodyear truck tires.
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