Winter is coming, and with it comes a host of challenges for industrial vehicles and fleet owners. Cold weather can have a significant impact on your tires, affecting their performance, safety, and lifespan. 

One of the main effects of winter on your tires is a drop in tire pressure. As the temperature decreases, the air inside your tires contracts, reducing the amount of pressure. For every 10°F that the temperature drops, your tire pressure can decrease by about 1 PSI. This may not seem like a big deal, but low tire pressure can cause a number of problems, such as:

• Increased tire wear and tear, as underinflated tires have more contact with the road and generate more friction and heat.
• Reduced fuel efficiency, as underinflated tires make your engine work harder and consume more gas.
• Decreased handling and braking, as underinflated tires reduce your traction and stability on the road, especially on wet or icy surfaces.
• Increased risk of blowouts, as underinflated tires are more prone to damage from potholes, debris, or sharp objects.

To prevent these issues, you should check your tire pressure regularly during the winter months, preferably with a continuous monitoring system such as Doran360™TPMS. If your tire pressure is too low,  inflate your tires to the proper level. If your tire pressure is too high, release some air until you reach the optimal level.

Change in Tire Elasticity

Another effect of winter on your tires is a change in tire elasticity. As the temperature gets colder, the rubber in your tires becomes harder and less flexible. This can affect your tires in several ways, such as:

• Reduced grip and traction, as hard tires have less contact with the road and are less able to conform to the terrain.
• Increased brittleness and cracking, as hard tires are more susceptible to damage from impacts, cuts, or abrasions.
• Increased risk of skidding or sliding, as hard tires have less friction and resistance on the road, especially on slippery or uneven surfaces.

To protect your tires from these effects, you should consider using winter tires for your industrial vehicles and fleet. Winter tires are specially designed to perform well in cold weather, as they have:

• Softer rubber compounds that remain flexible and elastic even at low temperatures.
• Deeper tread patterns that provide more grip and traction on snow and ice.
• Wider grooves and sipes disperse water and slush and prevent hydroplaning.
• Special additives and coatings that prevent rubber from drying out and cracking.

Winter tires can help you improve your safety, efficiency, and performance on the road during the winter months. However, you should only use winter tires at low temperatures, as they will wear out faster and perform poorly in warmer weather. You should also store your winter tires properly when not in use, preferably in a cool, dry, and dark place, away from sunlight, heat, and chemicals.

Winter can be tough on your tires, but with proper care and maintenance, you can keep them (and your fleet) in good shape and extend their lifespan. By checking your tire pressure regularly, using winter tires when appropriate, and storing your tires correctly, you can protect your tires from the cold weather and ensure your industrial vehicles and fleet run smoothly and safely all season long. Reach out to us about the easy-to-install  tire pressure monitoring solution that fits your needs and gets you through the winter season.