​Proper Tire Maintenance Can Reduce CSA Violations

Gary Schroeder, Director of Cooper’s truck and bus tire business, which includes the Roadmaster brand.
April 2017

Tires play a major role in the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA) Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program because of their importance to the overall operation and safety of vehicles. CSA violations can cost truck owners and drivers money and downtime, and as a result, it is important for owners to employ routine tire maintenance procedures to ensure their tires are in good working order and to help avoid future CSA violations.

Not having enough tread depth is among the most common of the CSA penalties. Steer tires must have 4/32 inch of tread depth and other tires must have 2/32 inch. You can ensure there is adequate tread depth for the wheel position by using a tread depth gauge.

Making a conscious, proactive effort to focus on tire maintenance and replacement is important to the performance and safety of tires. Roadmaster recommends having a comprehensive maintenance program that includes regular inspections that check for proper tire pressure, tread depth and irregular wear. Properly maintained, serviced and inflated tires last longer. There are qualified tire dealers who can provide this service and be sure to look for service providers who are properly trained to maintain tires.

Tires and wheels/rims should be thoroughly inspected on a regular basis, before each trip and daily during continuous service, with special attention to inflation pressures. Roadmaster recommends using a calibrated pressure gauge to obtain an accurate reading.

Maintaining proper inflation pressure in tires is the single most important factor in extending tire life. Over and under inflation have negative effects on the tire by changing the tire’s footprint, which is the area contacting the road. Under inflation causes excessive heat buildup and internal structural damage. Over inflation makes it more likely for tires to be cut, punctured or broken by sudden impact.

When the tire is not contacting the road as the tread design intended, the tread area will wear irregularly and rapidly wear the tread surface. Correct inflation pressure is determined by the load carried for each tire. The inflation should be based on a scale weight by axle and the load/inflation chart for that tire size. There are two scales for truck tires. One is for singles, like steer tires, and the other is for dual tires.

Visual tire inspections are also important. Drivers should look for damage to a tire’s tread and sidewall area. It is important to look at the inside dual tire and between duals for rocks and other debris that can cause trouble. It is also important to inspect tires regularly for signs of uneven wear.

You should also consider using tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) on trucks and continuous tire inflation systems (CTIS) on trailers in order to simplify and improve tire pressure maintenance. Improved tire pressure maintenance will not only help prevent CSA violations, but will also help improve fuel economy and tire wear.

Having a strong tire maintenance program that includes regular tire inspections can ensure tires meet CSA requirements, keep drivers safe and help keep your truck on the road.