By Bryan Couch
Motor Coach Industries

For going the distance, nearly all tire suppliers are rolling out new tires that offer added strength and durability.

Still, tire wear remains an issue because tire costs add up over time. Therefore, proper tire care should be high on any maintenance checklist.

Important contributing factors to tire wear include engine power, braking forces, driving style, road conditions, climate, speed, load, and maintenance. Paying special attention to these factors early on, when a coach is first put into operation, contributes to longer tire wear.

A good place to start is with driver training.

Begin by including tire wear tips when training drivers on the operation of the vehicle, engine brake, transmission brake or retarder, automatic braking system, and automatic transaction control.

Since tire manufacturers' rate performance at 75 miles per hour, caution drivers not to exceed that limit because increases in speed will reduce tread life; urge them to slow down, especially in hot weather when air and surface temperatures are extreme. Explain how accelerating and braking should be gradual, and caution them to avoid bumping curbs when turning or parking.

Always refer to tire manufacturer information for proper care. Service advice also can be found on tire manufacturers' Web sites. Here are a few more tips:

Check pressures
Driving on under-inflated tires is dangerous and increases the chances of a blowout. Over-inflated tires are more susceptible to damage from road hazards since too much pressure makes the tire stiffer. Always inflate to pressures recommended in the operator's manual. Or, for proper tire pressures at maximum gross vehicle weight (GVW), refer to the VIN plate for posted tire pressures in single and dual applications. Be sure to measure the pressure when tires are cold (meaning the tire has cooled for at least three to four hours or, ideally, overnight), at least once a week and daily on long road trips.

On axles with dual wheels, maintaining equal tire pressures is essential. A tire with a difference of just 5 pounds will change the circumference of the wheel assembly by 3/16ths to 5/16ths of an inch. That sounds small until you realize that on a wheel that rotates roughly 500 turns in a mile, the difference becomes 156 inches, or one full wheel revolution. In simple terms, this means that one of the duals will skid one revolution every mile.

Consider a monitor
Today, more vehicle manufacturers offer tire-pressure monitoring systems as an option. MCI offers the SmarTire system, which provides an early warning if the tire pressure falls below the established setting or when air temperature rises above the established setting.

Check treads
According to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, tire grooves should be as follows: Steer axle, more than 2/32nds-inch in any two adjacent grooves, other axles more than 1/32nds-inch in any two adjacent grooves measured in three places. Look for even wear. Uneven tire wear can indicate a number of problems. Consult your tire manufacturer and vehicle manufacturer for help in diagnosing uneven tire wear.

Alignment, rotation
Proper wheel alignment and tire rotation also are vital for optimal tire life and coach handling. Frequent alignments should be regarded as routine preventative maintenance, even on a new coach. Follow the manufacturer's suggested procedure.

Toe-in and camber should be set close to the minimum settings of the manufacturer requirements. Caster should be set to the maximum positive setting allowed by manufacturer requirements. Request that the technician align the coach to the preferred specifications, not just within the range.

It also is beneficial to obtain a post-alignment printout to confirm the thoroughness of the procedure, as well as to document your coach's settings in the case of an encounter with a suspension-damaging road hazard.

If your coach has a steerable tag axle, follow the manufacturer's recommendation for alignment of coaches with this feature.

These practices should provide longer tire wear and greater riding pleasure.