Summer heat and winter cold change how rubber behaves and how trucks handle. A seasonal plan—tire selection, pressure targets, and service timing—keeps your fleet safe, compliant, and on schedule.
Summer Priorities: Fight Heat and Protect Casings
- Compounds and rolling resistance: Choose heat-resistant compounds and lower rolling resistance patterns for long interstate runs.
- Pressure discipline: Small underinflation in heat turns into a blowout risk.
- Speed control: High sustained speeds raise temperature; coach steady pace.
- Debris checks: Hot pavement holds sharp debris; quick inspections at fuel stops save casings.
Winter Priorities: Maximize Traction and Control
- Tread and siping: Aggressive blocks and rich siping on drive axles for wet, slush, and packed snow.
- Cold-friendly compounds: Rubber that stays flexible in the cold grips better.
- Pressure in cold: Air contracts; expect more frequent top-offs.
- Legal readiness: Chains and winter tire rules vary by state; plan routes and gear.
Should You Change Tires Seasonally?
- Yes for real winters: Dedicated winter drive tires improve safety and braking.
- Mild climates: Proven all-weather patterns can cover the year.
- Steer/trailer: Often remain unchanged if they deliver stable tracking and even wear.
Plan Changeovers by Region
- Sequence by climate: northern units first, southern units last
- Use average first frost and typical heat spikes to anchor your calendar
- Combine changeovers with other scheduled maintenance to reduce touchpoints
Seasonal Pressure Targets
- Base on load charts and expected temperatures
- Verify cold morning pressures meet spec before departure
- Avoid setting pressure in a warm bay that then drops too low on a cold route
Alignment and Suspension at Each Season
- Winter potholes and summer construction knock alignment out
- Make quick alignment checks and replace worn shocks to protect shoulders
Seasonal Driver Coaching
- Summer: Watch for blowout debris, maintain steady speeds, monitor heat
- Winter: Increase following distance, brake earlier, avoid sudden steering inputs, clear ice from duals during stops
Yard Setup for Smooth Changeovers
- Mark safe service areas and traffic flow
- Keep air supply dry to prevent frozen valves in winter
- Stock approved SKUs or schedule deliveries to avoid last-minute substitutions
Mobile Service Makes It Easy
- We bring tires, tools, and crew to your lot
- Seasonal changeovers happen in planned blocks that do not disrupt dispatch
- You get consistent torque and inflation with clean records
What to Measure Each Season
- Miles per 32nd by route and tire type
- Fuel mileage before/after seasonal swaps
- Road calls tied to heat or traction issues
- Retread acceptance by casing age and season
Liberty Truck Tires Seasonal Support
- Route and climate review with position-specific recommendations
- Summer lineup plus dedicated winter drive options if needed
- Scheduled mobile changeovers, pressure charts, unit-level records
Next Step
Make seasonal prep a routine you can repeat every year.
Contact Liberty Truck Tires to schedule summer and winter tire programs with on-site installation and documentation.
