Inflating tires to match loads provides the best conditions for optimal treadwear, but it also requires a higher level of maintenance. There are a lot of misconceptions about load and inflation pressure that can help fleets increase efficiency.

There are a lot of misconceptions about load and inflation pressure. Probably the most common is the myth that the maximum pressure molded on the sidewall of a tire is necessary to carry the vehicle’s weight. That may be true in isolated applications, but in most instances a lower inflation is all that is necessary. The best place to start is with the federal regulation governing motor vehicles with gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) of more than 10,000 lb.

According to 49 CFR 571.120, “the sum of the maximum load ratings of the tires fitted to an axle shall be not less than the gross axle weight rating (GAWR) of the axle system as specified on the vehicle’s certification label required by 49 CFR part 567.” Some exceptions exist, but 571.120 applies to almost every commercial motor vehicle in use today.

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