Tire Pressure and tips for proper tire maintenance

So I just have a few questions regarding tires, and tire pressure and if you can share some tips / advice for me. I have not started driving a tractor trailer yet, but will soon. My #1 goal is to operate safely and learn, before I end up buying my own truck. These may be dumb or rookie questions, but I didn't learn this in cdl school, and I would like to know. Maybe these questions could help another new driver out too.

1. I have heard a lot about tire blowouts while driving, whether they are steers or rear tires. Does this happen when the truck is parked too? Like when you check tire pressure, would this happen or is it very rare?
2. Are tire blowouts mostly caused by too much air, too little air?
3. I know the best way to check the tire pressure is with a tire pressure gauge, which I am going to buy a few to keep with me, but I also wanna learn the tire thump method with a sledgehammer. What am I suppose to feel or listen for when I thump the tire with a stick or hammer? Am I suppose to thump on the tread or the outer sidewall? or both?
4. My biggest fear is a tire blowout, while driving. What I know so far, is god forbid this happend, to stay off the brake and let the truck come to a stop. Is it helpful to turn the engine brake on like if you're on a downgrade and a blowout happens?
5. Give me some other tips or advice you have, regarding tires and tire maintenance and operating safely.
6. Is it safe to inflate your tires, or should you go to one of those tire shops at a truckstop? I read a few posts on here that drivers shouldn't inflate?
7. I know tire pressure varies on the tire you have, but do you have to run different psi in summer time vs winter time?
8. The tire pressure recommended by manfacturer on the sidewall, says COLD. I am assuming this means when the truck hasn't moved for a few hours, right? And this also goes for the summer time when it's 90+ degrees outside, right?

Sorry if any questions are poorly worded, but I would really appreciate any tips, advice you guys have. Thanks

 

Seriously ?!

 

Seriously what? Seriously that I am asking question about something I don't know, that can help me out when I start driving?

 

Just inflate it with strawberry or grape flavored air and you should be good .
...they should explain it to you basics at CDL school ... unless its chicongo driver conveyor

 

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH. Dude that was the funniest joke I have heard in a very long time. Very smart and very humorous joke. Thank you for the laughter

 

Also, to reply to your point about cdl school. If I was taught this at CDL school, do you think I would be posting under "questions from new drivers"?

 

What would suggest, thumb the tires anytime you stop for anything. Carry a tire gauge if you have doubts if a tire is low. Usually when you thumb them, you’ll be to tell if one is a little low. When the tire is hot, it will read a little higher in air pressure, so just make sure you keep both tires on the same side the same pressure. If one reads 120 when hot and other is 90, get the low one to 120 even if the casing says 110 for an example. Most tires read a little higher when hot then cold.

 

1. Tires don’t usually blow out parked. Usually it is a slow leak. When loaded, you can spot a low tire, as it will be squatted down lower than its mate.
2. If a tire is low on air, the tire will eventually get hot, quicker if loaded, and could blowout as a result.
Most blowouts are due to recaps coming off, even if kept at correct pressure, so they are not allowed on the steer tire. A steer tire flat is pretty rare, but check them for sidewall bulges, and the tread for wear.
I carried a non-contact thermometer and would check tire temps when I stopped and was loaded. My drive tires on the right side always ran 10° -15° hotter than the others…air pressure was right on. Turns out the drives needed an alignment.
3, Tire thumping is not an accurate way to detect low air pressure. I never did it.
4. Always inspect your tires when you are loaded, if there is a low pressure tire, you should be able to see it.
The shop guys are likely going to be checking air pressure, so ask them how often they do that. My boss never expected me to check air pressure, unless I saw a problem, and at that point I would be heading to the shop anyway. I carried a gauge, but never used it.
5. See comments.
6. One night I had a tire that was low and I needed to put air in…every place I stopped at, after midnight, was closed. So I had to pull into a tire shop and camp out until the next morning when they opened. If you need air, and can find some, go ahead and do it.
7. Same pressure year round.
8. Yes.

 

You should try number “3”…… how would know you if you’d never tried it ? Been doing it for 42 years and never has failed me.

 

I agree. Thumping is not going to give you the actual air pressure and sure they might not all be at the "same" air pressure, but thumping is pretty accurate. If you use the same tool to thump with you will be able to tell by the sound and the bounce back. Dave, you had me going for a minute when you said "thumb a tire" lol