Just like your tires -- the pressure of time and money is the gauge by which you measure your business performance. So, the question is - how do you spend your time and money conducting pre-trip, en route and post-trip tire inspections?

Tire experts, carriers and associations insist that only the air gauge should be used to check tire inflation. Obviously, the gauge for a pre-trip tire inspection is the preferred methodology. But, the question is - do you really have the time and necessary information to properly use a gauge during En Route and Post-Trip inspections? Strangely, when I point out to the so-called experts and carrier management what driver's face using the air gauge for the En Route and Post-Trip inspections there is shrieking silence.

Because drivers are pressured into making as many miles possible each and every day it's common knowledge that tire inflation inspection is seldom done. Thus, expensive down town, lost productivity, lost income, out-of-service, fines and Road Gators have become the norm. Even though the experts continue spouting the same old rhetoric of using the gauge for all tire checks this lame and well-worn methodology is simply not working.

The PURPOSE of this information is to gauge what is never discussed, but always effects your prosperity. Therefore, this web page focuses on out-of-pocket Costs drivers are expected to divvy up as though it is no big deal. Judge for yourself the merits of what I have written below. For the sake of argument assume the next 4 items are reasonably accurate descriptions of reality. 1. You are a full time driver who may or may not haul Hazmat cargo. 2. You are a company driver employee or an Owner Operator. 3. Your income is primarily dependent upon the amount of miles driven. 4. All CDL Drivers, whether or not transporting Hazmat are required to conduct tire safety inspections.

Time required checking 18 tires using Accu-Thump® is normally 1 minute or less.

1. The law does not specify how a driver is to check tire inflation status. Apparently a driver can use a hand, foot, stick, hammer or a gauge.
2. The gauge definitely provides the best method of determining exactly how much air pressure is in each tire. However, the gauge can be inaccurate and should be calibrated periodically.
3. Using the gauge consumes precious time.
4. The gauge steals miles and quietly robs drivers of duty status.
5. Because of the obvious problems driver's face using the gauge tires are seldom inspected.
6. Drivers are usually scheduled to drive 10 hrs per day and that pay is 40 cents per mile (cpm). Thus, each minute equals about 1 mile of driving. Note: I used the arbitrary 40 cpm figure to represent an average, which may be too high or too low to fit every driver. If the figures seem erroneous then crunch the numbers and see what your bottom line really is.
7. Driving for a living means watching the details, which always affect the bottom line.
8. Using the gauge not only results in dirty hands and considerable inconvenience it may well contribute to unsafe highways. Therefore, these following questions may have a bearing on amount of your time spent conducting roadside (en route) tire inspections. Would pulling off the road & onto shoulder to conduct a tire check using the time consuming gauge create a hazard to motorists? If so, would it be prudent to set out warning reflectors? If this is not done and a rear end collision occurs whom do you suppose would be held accountable? If this is done then obviously a few more minutes is required to set out these reflectors and retrieve them.

Comment: The Pre-Trip tire inspection - This time should always utilize an accurate air gauge. So I am not incorporating this time or cost into the below figures. However, if the tractor trailer(s) are in operation around the clock it may be difficult to utilize the gauge if you don't know if the tires have or have not cooled down to ambient temperature. For more information about ambient temperature go to:
http://www.accu-thump.com/tires-logs-safety.pdf

The rules for checking tires on hazmat loads are changing as of November 4, 2002. To read this new rule click on this link Then scroll down to where it says Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and then either click on the TEXT or PDF files at right side of page.

Even though the rule is changing tires are still to be checked each time the vehicle is parked. And, as far as I am concerned a rest break every 2 to 3 hours for health and safety reasons is mandatory.

En Route checks --- 5 inspections @ 6 minutes each = 30 minutes/miles @ 40cpm = $12.00
All other stops (restroom, eating, showering) --- 2 inspections @ 6 minutes each @ 40cpm = $4.80
Post Trip --- 1 inspection @ 6 minutes @ 40cpm = $2.40
Total = $16.00 daily --- $ 96.00 for 6 days --- $ 384.00 monthly --- $ 4,600.00 yearly

The rules for checking tires on hazmat loads are changing as of November 4, 2002. To read this new rule click on this link Then scroll down to where it says Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and then either click on the TEXT or PDF files at right side of page.

Even though the rule is changing tires are still to be checked each time the vehicle is parked. And, as far as I am concerned a rest break every 2 to 3 hours for health and safety reasons is mandatory.

En Route checks --- 5 inspections @ 1 minute each = 5 minutes/miles @ 40cpm = $ 2.00
All other stops (restroom, eating, showering) --- 2 inspections @ 1 minute each @ 40cpm = $ .80
Post Trip --- 1 inspection @ 1 minute @ 40cpm = $ .40
Total = $ 3.20 daily --- $ 19.20 for 6 days --- $ 77.80 monthly --- $ 933.00 yearly

a savings of at least $3600.00 per year

En Route checks --- 3 inspections @ 6 minutes each = 15 minutes @ 40cpm = $ 6.00
All other stops (restroom, eating, showering) --- 2 inspections @ 6 minutes each @ 40cpm = $4.80
Post Trip --- 1 inspection @ 6 minutes @ 40cpm = $2.40
Total = $ 12.00 daily --- $ 73.00 for 6 days --- $ 292.00 monthly --- $ 3,500.00 yearly

En Route checks --- 3 inspections @ 6 minutes each = 3 minutes/miles @ 40cpm = $ 1.20
All other stops (restroom, eating, showering) --- 2 inspections @ 6 minutes each @ 40cpm = $ .80
Post Trip --- 1 inspection @ 6 minutes @ 40cpm = $ .40
Total = $ 2.40 daily --- $ 14.40 for 6 days --- $ 57.60 monthly --- $ 687.00 yearly

a savings of at least $2800.00 per year

Note: While en route and depending upon numerous factors (tire temperature, hwy temperature, ambient temperature, cargo weight exerted upon each tire, speed, road surface conditions, asphalt or concrete, slightly different circumferences of each tire, etc,), it may be difficult to know what the proper amount of air pressure each tire should contain without consulting specific charts. Furthermore, if a driver is not familiar with these charts, specific to all 18 tires, which may be of different manufacturer's and load rating, can you imagine the amount of time it would require to read and apply this information?

Your cost figures may go up or down depending upon your speed, number of stops, number of days driving and the actual time spent conducting DOT tire inflation inspections. So, regardless of what your pay scale is - to get an accurate picture of your tire checking expense simply plug in your own figures.

I have conducted thousands of tests relating to the time that it takes to check truck tire air pressure. Therefore, I am confident that what I have indicated reflects reality and not some hocus pocus pencil pushing gibberish.

Questions:

1. Should carriers provide the necessary tools to monitor tire inflation status?
2. Should carriers compensate drivers for the time it takes to keep their gauges properly calibrated?
3. Should carriers compensate drivers for the time it takes to conduct all pre-trip, en route tire & post trip tire inspections?

Lately, EPA agencies have been indicating that idling trucks are bad for air quality and are initiating rules against the practice of letting you engine idle regardless whether or not you will freeze or bake to death when trying to get some much needed/required rest. Consequently, if a driver pulls onto the road shoulder and spends all this time conducting gauge checks and leaves the truck running - will this sit well with the EPA? Plus, will all this resultant/constant engine starting and stopping have consequences down the road?

I realize that complying with the DOT tire (inflation) inspection regulations is expensive. Thus, many, if not most drivers/companies share the mindset of don't ask & don't tell, with the result being that tires are seldom ever inspected. Nevertheless, with escalating costs and the economy perhaps heading south it would seem prudent to whittle expenses wherever possible. Whether during good or bad economic times maintaining profitability is the key to survival. Consequently, if the wheels of commerce are not monitored, then as surely as day follows night the unfit will find their rigs either stranded or parked.

Although the above was primarily directed towards drivers - any fleet manager taking the time to read the above should realize that not only will the driver indirectly receive an economic bonus for utilizing Accu-Thump® but, also any company who has 2 or a 1000 tractor/trailers would also significantly improve their bottom line. Carrier management - rather than continue to turn a blind eye at this insidious problem why not examine the possibilities? Is it not in your best interests to comply with DOT regulations and also save hundreds of thousands of dollars each and every year? Wouldn't your shareholders ultimately appreciate your efforts to make the roads safer, while at same time improving your fleet's competitive edge and efficiency?

For an in-depth analysis regarding checking tires I encourage you to examine my written thoughts and opinions at: http://www.accu-thump.com/tires-logs-safety.pdf

All comments, criticisms and suggestions are welcome.

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Created: 12/16/2000
Revised: 10/08/2002