Incorrect tyre pressure is one of the top causes of roadside failures and inspection failures on HGVs and commercial vehicles. Getting it right can make the difference between safe, efficient driving and a costly roadside breakdown.
Driving with the wrong tyre pressure can impact fuel consumption by up to 2%, reduce service life by 20% and put drivers at a higher risk of blowouts, especially under heavy loads or motorway speeds.
In this guide, we explain exactly how to check tyre pressure on trucks, lorries, vans and other heavy-duty vehicles, why it matters, and what every fleet operator should be checking as part of routine maintenance.
Why van, heavy-duty vehicle and truck tyre pressure matters
Having the right lorry, truck and HGV tyre pressure is critical for managing fluctuating loads and preventing serious mechanical and safety issues. In fact, there are a variety of reasons why having the right tyre pressure is critical.
Safety
Tyres are the contact point between the vehicle and the road, so the tyre condition and pressure can have a real effect on safety. Incorrect tyre pressures, whether under inflated or overinflated, can have an impact on how well the braking system performs, steering sensitivity and the general stability of the vehicle.
- Tyres that have lower pressure than intended will generate more heat and can bring a higher risk of a blowout occurring.
- Blowout risk is increased at higher speeds and when carrying heavy loads, such as when driving on a motorway or highway.
- Overinflated tyres can reduce the traction on the road, which can cause real problems in wet or icy road conditions and increase the risk of aquaplaning
- Higher than recommended tyre pressure can also make tyres more susceptible to damage from hazards encountered on the road.
Handling
All large vehicles need skilful and precise handling to navigate challenging roads, weather conditions, tight turns and other manoeuvres. If the tyre pressure is incorrect in a large truck or lorry, this can mean the weight distribution is uneven, which makes the vehicle harder to control.
For HGVs and other vehicles with multiple axles, a tyre imbalance can amplify this and make handling even more challenging.
Fuel efficiency
Tyres that are underinflated increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and thus use more fuel.
For large and heavy vehicles, tyres that are inflated to the right level actually reduce drag, which makes the drive smoother and more efficient. The difference this can make to fuel efficiency can be highly significant if the truck or lorry does a lot of miles as part of a fleet, resulting in substantial cost savings.
Tyre longevity
The incorrect tyre pressure can accelerate the wear and tear on tyres. Overinflation usually means excessive wear can be found in the centre of truck tyres, whereas underinflation usually results in more wear on the outer edges.
If the tyre pressure is always maintained at the optimum recommended level, it can extend the lifetime of the tyres, cutting out replacement costs as well as increasing the efficiency of the vehicle in general.
What affects recommended truck tyre PSI
Your recommended PSI may vary depending on road conditions, load and more. Correct PSI improves ride quality, fuel efficiency and reduces the risk of premature tyre wear or failure.
These variables influence recommended pressure, but always follow the manufacturer’s PSI guidelines for your specific vehicle, load and tyre type.
Variable | Impact |
Axle load | If you’re carrying heavier loads, your tyre pressure will need to be increased to support the extra weight. |
Road type | When travelling along smooth, paved roads, high pressure is best for stability. On rough or uneven surfaces, a lower PSI can increase grip and ride quality. |
Seasonality | Check your tyre pressure when they are cold. You may need to increase the pressure slightly during colder temperatures and decrease it slightly in warmer temperatures. |
Why commercial vehicles might lose tyre pressure
There are several reasons why commercial vehicles might experience a drop in tyre pressure, including:
- Temperature changes – If there are sudden temperature changes, it can cause the air in tyres to expand or contract, which affects the air pressure in tyres. This is why tyre pressure can fluctuate more as temperatures drop for the winter, and as things warm up in early summer.
- Punctures or valve leaks - Small punctures in the tyre itself or damage to the valve stem can sometimes cause air to leak slowly from the tyre.
Heavy loads – The high weight burden of commercial vehicles can put extra stress on tyres, which may mean pressure is slowly lost over time.
Checking truck tyre pressure: Step-by-step
To check the pressure of your truck or other commercial vehicle, you’ll need:
Checking truck tyre pressure: Step-by-step
Some heavy-duty vehicles are equipped with a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), which can assist in maintaining correct pressure, but manual checks are still essential.
To check the pressure of your truck or other commercial vehicle, you’ll need:
• To know the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures for your specific vehicle (found in the manual and usually printed on a placard that is stuck to the driver’s door jamb). There will often be different recommended pressures for tyres in different positions on the vehicle.
• A high-quality tyre pressure gauge that is rated for use on large commercial vehicles. Commercial vehicle tyres can exceed 100 PSI, so passenger vehicle gauges are often inaccurate.
• An air compressor that has the right fittings for your specific vehicle.
To accurately check the tyre pressure of a truck or any other vehicle, you’ll need to park it safely on a flat surface and turn the engine off. Then, follow these simple steps:
- Park on level ground and let tyres cool: Tyre pressure rises when tyres are warm, so wait at least 30 minutes after driving.
- Locate the manufacturer’s recommended PSI: Found in the vehicle manual or on the driver’s door frame. Front and rear axles may differ.
- Remove the valve cap and attach the gauge: Use a commercial-grade gauge rated for HGV tyres (standard car gauges may not be accurate).
- Compare the reading with the recommended pressure
• If underinflated - add air using a compressor.
• If overinflated - press the valve pin to release air.
- Recheck all tyres, including the spare: Record your findings (important for fleet compliance and audits)
Essential, everyday tyre checks
Tyre pressures are an essential part of routine safety checks for any large or commercial vehicle. However, visual inspections should also be carried out regularly, especially when driving a fleet vehicle that may be used by multiple drivers. These include:
Check for damage
Look each tyre over for any signs of damage, such as cracks, cuts or bulges on the sidewall or tread. These can cause a weak spot in the structure of the tyre and lead to a blowout.
Check for uneven wear
Any uneven wear on truck tyres can indicate that there is a problem, such as under or overinflation, alignment issues or problems with the suspension.
Measure the tread depth
Check each tyre's tread depth in several places, using a gauge, to ensure that it meets the legal standards for the country that you’re driving in. The requirements do vary from nation to nation, so check this before you start your journey.
Check the tyre age
In some countries, tyre age is a legal consideration for heavy vehicles. For example, in the UK, it’s illegal for front axles of HGVs (or any vehicles over 3.5 tonnes) to use tyres that are more than 10 years old.
Whether it’s a legal requirement or not, tyres do degrade over time, even if they are otherwise in good condition, so it’s good practice to check the tyre age and replace any tyres over 10 years old, regardless of if they still look roadworthy. The age of truck tyres are printed on the sidewall, as a four-digit code. The first two digits are the week of manufacture, the second two are the year of manufacture.
Make sure you do not forget to check the spare tyre when carrying out checks as it could be needed at any time, so it should meet the same standards as the others.
How often should you check your truck tyres?
You should perform a visual inspection of your tyres before any journey, looking for cracks, punctures, embedded objects and cuts.
Tyre pressure should be checked using a certified pressure gauge at least once per month, and before long journeys.
Check your tyre pressure when your tyres are cold but beware of ambient temperatures, because tyre pressure can drop in cold weather.
Stay safer on the road with regular tyre checks
Tyre pressure and condition are important considerations, especially when driving large and heavy vehicles. Checking your tyres regularly is essential for safety and can also have an impact on things such as fuel economy and handling, as well as potentially helping to spot more serious issues before they become a major problem. Following our guide and checklist should help you and your commercial vehicle to enjoy safer and more efficient driving.
You can also learn more about commercial vehicle lubricants to help keep your lorry, truck or other commercial vehicle in optimal condition.