What are the yellow tags on semi tires?

A common type of loose wheel nut indicators are small pointed tags, usually made of fluorescent orange or yellow plastic, which are fixed to the lug nuts of the wheels of large vehicles.

What are the tags on truck tires?

In a global move, tire maker Michelin is adding radio frequency identification or “RFID” tags to all of its truck tires in an effort to provide its commercial truck customers with better data to help control their ongoing tire costs.

Why do semi trucks have flaps on the wheels?

Mud flaps, also known as mud guards or splash guards, are used to protect vehicles, passengers and other vehicles from mud and other flying debris thrown up by rotating tires while shielding passing vehicles from costly dings and dents caused by kicked-up rocks.

Why do semi trailers have side skirts?

A side skirt, which fits between a semi-truck's front and rear wheels, helps improve aerodynamics and is not intended for protection. Side skirts are usually made of fiberglass, aluminum or plastic, to give them flexibility, and reportedly improve fuel economy, which is why they're used on large trucks hauling freight.

Why do trucks have 18 gears?

There have been as many as 18 gears in a trucker's crankshaft. These gears give the truck extra power to get up to speed faster. More gears means more energy for pulling all that weight.

Red and yellow dots on tires explained

What are the yellow plastic things on truck wheels?

They're called loose wheel nut indicators (LWNI), commonly seen on vehicles used in mining operations and increasingly popular on government and commercial fleets. They can also be of great benefit to private vehicle owners.

How do you check the tread depth on a semi tire?

Insert a penny into your tire's tread groove with Lincoln's head upside down and facing you. If you can see all of the head, your tire tread depth is less than 2/32 inch and it's time to replace your tires.

Can you patch a steer tire on a semi?

There is no limit to the number of nail hole repairs that can be made in the crown area of a steer tire that are a maximum of 3/8ths inch in diameter after repair preparation. (The crown area is 1½ inches in from the edge on each side of the tread.) Puncture repairs up to 5/16th inch can be made in the shoulder area.

Is running recaps on steer tires illegal?

Title 49, Part 393.75 (d) of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations states that no bus shall be operated with regrooved, recapped, or retreaded tires on the front wheels.

What is the minimum tread depth allowed by DOT for steer tires?

Per code section 393.75 (c), “tires shall have a tread groove pattern depth of at least 2/32 of an inch when measured in a major tread groove.” It also states that measurements can't be taken “where tie bars, humps, or fillets are located.” DOT steer tire regulations state that depth is at least 4/32 of an inch.

How many miles do semi trailer tires last?

If you are going by mileage, experts generally recommend that you replace your tires anywhere from every 25,000 miles to every 75,000 miles.

How long should a semi trailer tire last?

Most experts agree that semi-truck tire replacement should occur every three to six years. If your tires were purchased more than six years ago, it's probably a good idea to start looking at replacement tires for your fleet. Another benchmark fleet managers can use is the tire's mileage.

How much tread should a semi tire have?

Tread depth.

Not only do tires with deeper tread last longer, they're also more resistant to punctures. The U.S. Department of Transportation requires that semi trailer tires have a tread depth of at least 2/32”.

What is the purpose of wheel nut indicator?

Wheel nut indicators are fitted to the wheel nuts to help identify any loose nuts. Vehicle operators will notice when any nuts are out of alignment, thereby preventing the possibility of wheel detachment. In addition, the Minecorp wheel nuts will melt/ deform if subject to high temperatures such as bearing failure.

What are the green arrows on lorry wheels?

They are a device to show the driver when the wheel nuts are getting loose (honest!) I've often wondered this, the conclusion I came to was they provide a quick visual check for loose wheel nuts.

How often should semi-truck tires be rotated?

A tire rotation is typically performed every 5,000 to 7,500 miles. Remember that while this is a good rule to follow, you'll find the exact figures on when to rotate tires in your used truck's owner's manual. Our guide helps Logan drivers know when to have a tire rotation done.

Is it necessary to balance trailer tires?

The answer is yes, you should. Although you may meet RVers and travel trailer owners who disagree, balancing your travel trailer tires is actually necessary for improved performance, tire longevity, and safety factors. Passenger vehicle tires need to be balanced for ride stability and comfort, as well as for function.

How long do semi engines last?

Bigger engines and technology make semi-truck engines last on average 720,000 miles, with many lasting well over a million miles. Just like with any vehicle, how you drive it and how well you maintain it will be a good indicator of how long it will last you.

How do you rotate tires on a semi-truck drive?

Rotation patterns

“Steer tires should be rotated from side to side,” says Jones. “Drive tires can be rotated from the front axle to rear axle, side to side across the axle, or crisscrossed. Trailer tire rotation should be the same as the drive tires.

Do commercial tires have an expiration date?

What is the Age Limit for Commercial Truck Tires. Although there aren't laws limiting the use of old truck tires, it is ideal to have them replaced once every 7 years. The main reason is the possibility of degradation of the tires, and the dangers of disintegrated tires.

What PSI should semi truck tires be?

A low-profile LRH tire will need at least 110 psi, some as much as 120 psi. Pressures of 105 psi are fine with 12,000-pound steer-axle loads, but may be 10-20 psi underinflated in 13,200-pound steer-axle loads.

Should you replace both steer tires at the same time?

The "new" tire with deeper tread will most likely wear down prematurely, causing you to have to replace it more quickly. Even though it is more expensive to replace both simultaneously, especially when they are close to needing to be replaced anyway, they will wear at the same rate.