Proactive Tire Maintenance Can Save a Fleet’s Bottom Line
Tires are arguably one of the most important aspects of any car or truck when it comes to performance and road safety. They are, after all, the only part of the vehicle that’s in contact with the road. Making sure the connection between rubber and asphalt is as flawless as possible is the first step in ensuring ultimate reliability. And yet, tire maintenance remains a commonly overlooked step in fleet management despite being possibly one of the easiest tasks to complete.
According to the National Transportation Safety Association (NHTSA), an average of 33,000 accidents happen due to tire malfunction or failure, with at least 2,000 of those accidents being blowout-related. The NHTSA also determined that common causes of tire failures or tire-related accidents were under-inflation, excessive tire wear, and existing tire damage.
Tire Pressure
Maintaining proper tire pressure is more critical than most drivers and fleet managers assume. Under or over-inflated tires can lead to uneven and accelerated wear, severely shortening the life of any tire. Improperly inflated tires can also put extra stress on the sidewalks and increase the chance of a high-speed blowout.
Tire Tread Depth
When manufacturers design and engineer tires, tire life relative to tread depth is inescapable. Whether from high mileage or excessive wear due to improper inflation, a shallow tread depth dramatically decreases tire performance and safety. Less tread not only means less grip, but the lack of height in tread blocks also exposes tires to a higher risk of punctures or catastrophic blowouts, in addition to improper inflation and impact to fuel consumption.
Excessive Wear and Damage
Both the NHTSA and tire manufacturers suggest replacing your tires after 5-6 years, regardless of mileage accrued. Say, for instance, you always keep an eye on your tire pressures and tread depths, the rubber itself breaks down over time. Damage such as cracking, blisters, and bubbling can occur decreasing the integrity and life of the tire, resulting in a loss of air pressure and performance.
Excessive Wear and Damage
→ Tire tread depth
→ Proper inflation
→ Foreign objects/punctures
→ Shoulder damage
→ Uneven tread wear/misalignment
→ Dry rot/sidewall damage
→ Wheel/center cap damage/corrosion
→ Reads sidewall characters:
tire brand, size, speed & load rating, manufacture date
The Solution
When considering tire inspections, it’s important to be mindful that even a thorough check by a trained technician can still lead to accidental oversights. UVeye’s automatic tire inspection system called Artemis was designed to complement the technician’s experience to work hand-in-hand to deliver in-depth and accurate tire inspections.
Using Artificial Intelligence and high-definition cameras for detailed imaging, UVeye’s Artemis product specializes in inspecting tires and wheels. It can access tread depth, read sidewall characters, assess tire and wheel damage, inspect tire pressure, and provide indicators related to wheel alignment.
UVeye’s software produces a detailed report, using the images taken of the tires, highlighting any areas of interest, nothing tread depth, and any damage such as blisters or cracking. Early detection of any potential irregularities results in a safer, more reliable fleet. Artemis is used daily to produce consistent, detailed, and actionable insights via detailed analysis reports that result in improved uptime, decreased cost and improved safety for a range of fleets across the globe.
