There’s a spec on your tire. No, not a spot of dirt, but a specification. In fact, specs are on every tire produced and are used to inform the customer of the details regarding sizing, usage, tread, and distance limits. There are thousands of different types of tires on the market today from a multitude of tire makers. Properly spec’ing your tires means that you can choose the best out of this abundance of options.

The Right Way

According to Overdrive.com, variables to consider when spec’ing your tires include, “size and number of plies and related weight rating, tread design, tread depth, tread compound and wheel position.” As you research tires for your vehicle, evaluate the type of work your truck will be performing and then choose tires based on their ratings for this type of work. For instance, choosing low profile tires for long-haul highway driving can save on fuel because the sidewall height is less than the width. 

There are adjustments you can make to your tire buying process once you begin doing your research to spec your tires. When researching, be sure to check all the options in all price ranges. Sometimes the more expensive tires have longer lifespans or can save you more money on fuel, and likely enough to afford the upgrade. Some changes to consider when spec’ing tires could be to research wide singles that can be used as alternatives to double wheels. You will likely have to get your truck refitted for these, but they are a great choice for long haul driving since they are much lighter. 

Save Money and Time

Once you have properly spec’d tires, you can be sure that your truck is running as efficiently as possible. While you are focused on the financial aspect, a great idea for those trying to save more money is looking into retreaded tires. New tires can be extremely expensive, but retreads usually run about ½ or ? of the new price. Retreads, when bought from a reputable source, are just as safe and have been inspected for quality and durability on the road. One final money saving tip is to shop wisely. Make sure you are choosing the best quality for the best price, even if this takes a while to research. 

Road and Wallet

Traveling on the road costs money, from fuel, to taxes and insurance, to maintenance and parts for the vehicle, there are a lot of high prices that you will pay as a driver or fleet owner. Some of these costs can be reduced in the long run by properly gearing your rears, ensuring your engine is running at peak performance, and spec’ing your tires, you can be sure to save money which is important for keeping your business healthy. The great news is, with some research, you can save your money without sacrificing quality. 

Final Thoughts

Why should you take the time to research how to properly spec your tires? The short answer is to save money by decreasing your fuel usage and getting the most life out of your tires. Everyone loves saving money, but the added benefit of spec’ing your tires properly is knowing that you have the best tires for your truck and its application means that your truck is ready to face the roads safely and efficiently! 

Winter is here! The leaves have fallen and frost is on the ground in the mornings, which means that the snow and ice of winter are coming soon. This holiday season, before the outdoors become uninhabitable, is the perfect time to prepare your truck and ensure it is winter ready. While you’re thinking about getting your truck ready for winter, read our helpful tips for making your winter travels safer and more comfortable.

Winter is Finally Here!

It may seem like Winter rolls around faster than other seasons, and that may be because we dread taking out the winter coat, gloves, and snow shovels. Even though Winter may be inconvenient, it should not be something to be dreaded as it is a very beautiful time of year with plenty of celebrations taking place. If you know the right procedures to stay safe while driving, your winter can be a blast! 

You may not have noticed the day it became cold enough to wear a coat because that change is usually gradual, but when the frost begins to collect on the ground, you likely know that winter will be approaching soon. Something that most people do automatically is to locate all the cold weather gear as winter begins to take hold. In addition to this, many families gather firewood, ensure their homes are well fueled, and stock up on groceries in case the weather becomes too bad to get outside. With all this home preparation, you should also think about your truck.

Frightful Cold

Driving in the winter can be scary as there are added hazards to the road including slick roadways, high winds, and low visibility. Keeping your cool is necessary in these situations. The best way to stay calm is by knowing you have the tools to get you out of sticky situations. Creating a game plan for how to act in dangerous situations can save your life and others.

Be Winter Ready

How can you be winter ready? Checking up on your truck and assembling a safety kit are great first steps. Inspecting your fuel filter, battery, and cooling system is crucial to starting the winter season correctly. Ensuring your fuel filter is clean and not contaminated with water can save your engine from failure. In addition to this, make sure your batteries are still strong. It is never a good idea to enter winter with  weak batteries. Finally, while the cooling system may seem to be a weird place to check when you’re entering the coldest months of the year, checking to make sure your antifreeze is sufficient for freezing temperature is important.  Antifreeze testers are cheap and can save thousands of dollars in engine repairs. Items you should include in your winter kit are extra winter clothes (especially gloves), a first aid kit, extra blankets, a flashlight and extra batteries, extra fuel filters and coolant. After creating this kit, there are many recurring things you should do throughout the season to make sure your truck is running at peak performance.  

Alongside these preparations, you can use fuel additives throughout the winter to reduce the effect of diesel fuel crystallization at colder temperatures which will make the engine work efficiently. On the coldest days keeping the engine running may be your best defense against fuel gelling.  Many trucks are equipped with fuel heaters that only work when the engine is running.  If you can’t leave your engine running in sub zero weather a block heater can be a life saver.  Check to make sure yours is working before you need it.

Final Thoughts

As winter progresses, it is important to make sure you have made all due preparations. Taking the time to prepare yourself and your truck will give you the best chance of having a safer, warmer, and happier winter. The cold is coming, so be safe out there!