MENU
SEARCHTruly where the rubber meets the road, proper tire maintenance and safety checks can help ensure drivers get home at the end of the day.
Photos via istock.com
Photos via istock.com
To ensure proper tire safety on a passenger car, fleet managers and drivers should keep a few very important safety tips in mind:
Tip 1: Understand how to inspect a tire. Before getting on the road, drivers should inspect all four passenger car tires for any damage, including nails, as well as look for tread depth and inflation.
Tip 2: Know how to check tire pressure. Even though many of today’s vehicles are equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), driver’s still need to know how to check a tire’s pressure and where to find the OEM’s recommended tire pressure rating. Tires can lose one psi per month under normal conditions, and an additional 1 psi for every 10-degree F temperature drop.
Tip 3: Take the car in for regular tire maintenance. Taking a car in for periodic tire rotations, balancing, and alignment can help evenly spread wear and provide another check for damage.
Tip 4: Frequently check tire tread depth. A quick and easy way to check a tire’s tread depth is with a small tool made for the job, but a penny can also work to eyeball any concerns. If any part of Abe Lincoln’s head is covered by tire tread, you’re safe and good to go.
Tip 5: Understand how to read a tire’s sidewall. Finally, know how to read a tire’s sidewall. This skill allows a quick glance to know if the right tire is being used on a specific vehicle type.
Editor's note: This feature is part of a Special Fleet Safety Series Sponsored by Volvo Cars North America.
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
A two-part conversation with Stefan Heck on how AI is transforming the fight against distracted driving. As fleets adopt smarter tools, the focus shifts from reacting to preventing risk. In Part 1, we look at where AI is making an impact for fleets today.
Read More →
More people on foot means more risk for drivers. These pedestrian safety tips can help prevent serious injuries and keep everyone safer on the road.
Read More →
Safer crews. Fewer incidents. Better uptime. Learn how driver-assist technology is changing the way vocational fleets operate.
Read More →
An 11% drop in pedestrian fatalities in early 2025 signals progress in U.S. road safety, but elevated death rates and ongoing risks underscore the need for continued action from fleets and policymakers.
Read More →
