Bus Tire Maintenance Tips – Part 1

Tire Maintenance Best Practices

It is critical that bus tires are in excellent shape, so a regular inspection should be a vital component of an operation’s maintenance program for the vehicles to run smoothly.

How to Keep Your School Bus Tires in Good Conditions

We have rounded up some valuable tips for keeping you bus tires in good condition or preventing accidents.

Determine Proper Inflation and Pressure

Determining whether tires are accurately inflated is the first item for which technicians should check. The air pressure of all tires should be checked and corrected weekly with an accurate inflation pressure gauge. Also, tire pressure should be checked while the tires are cold for precise results. Do not bleed air from tires while they are still hot because this will lead to under inflation. Operating on an incorrectly inflated tire will create severe tire damage such as uneven tread wear and reduced tread life, along with degraded durability, decreased fuel economy, and degraded vehicle handling.

Moreover, the pressure in tires should be kept at a level that will support the load that the bus is carrying. For this, review the bus’s owner’s manual or the vehicle load and tire information placard. Both sources provide data on the weight of the vehicle and the standard load, helping to determine the air pressure level.

Monitor Axle Alignment and Tread Depth

If tires get in contact with curbs with the potential to knock the axles out of alignment, then the alignment should be checked at each tire change. Steer axles should be checked for adequate caster, camber, and toe settings. Drive axles should be inspected to determine whether they are perpendicular to the chassis’ centerline so that the bus will travel straight.

Professional bus technicians in Colorado should establish a minimum tread depth allowed before tires are changed. This could vary from location to location. A depth of a minimum of 2/32 of an inch for treads is required by Colorado law.

Contact Colorado West Equipment to get more information. With multiple service locations in Colorado, we’re happy to serve your maintenance and major service commercial & school bus needs!