International Marketing Inc (IMI) has launched Operation Extra Mile that focuses on extending tread life and longer use of the most fuel-efficient part of commercial tires, in all wheel positions, by reducing uneven wear and vibrations.
When trucks arrive at a fleet, they come with balanced components -- all the way through the engine, transmission and into the drive train. These components are balanced to protect the engine from self-destructing, as well as the efficiency and longevity of the truck.
The only rotating parts that come not balanced are the wheel assemblies. While most fleets take delivery and then balance steer tires, almost no one balances drive tires. As a truck goes down the road at 66 mph, the tire and wheel assemblies rotate 563 times per minute.
With each rotation of an out-of-balance assembly, a vibration occurs and the tire develops irregular wear. The commercial tire industry doesn’t currently recommend balancing all wheel positions but it is time to get better tire life, fuel economy, and driver comfort.
“Remember when truck alignments were mostly performed on only the front end?” says Robert Fogal, CEO and president of IMI.
“Today, total vehicle alignment on all axles has become a standard. The time for total vehicle tire/wheel balancing has come as well. Tires are simply too expensive to continue to ignore and waste.”
EQUAL, the original internal balance compound, keeps all tires, regardless of wheel position, in balance for the life of the tread, notes IMI. By maintaining a continuous mass balance, EQUAL reduces vibrations and uneven wear caused by speed, the load and the road.
Irregular tire wear in turn hurts the fuel efficiency of the tire by causing early tire removal. Reducing irregular or uneven wear makes it possible to take advantage of the last few 32nd’s which is the most fuel efficient portion of the tire.
Once EQUAL is in the tire, the bag breaks apart and not only balances, but provides the best vibration damping available. Vibration damping not only helps to eliminate irregular wear but also reduces fore and aft cab movement caused by drive tire imbalance. This type of vibration is one of the most physically exhausting ride issues for drivers.
