How top-level managers handle tire management

Top-level tire management is fundamental to fleet management, generating more positive results for the operation overall.

Detailed control ensures both tire durability and performance, while also directly affecting operating costs and vehicle safety.

Understanding how top-level managers approach tire management, identifying their main difficulties, effective solutions and best practices, is indispensable for you to implement high-performance tire management too.

Read on:

• What makes a top-level manager
• Where to start fleet tire management
• How top-level managers handle tire management
• Tire management difficulties
• What sets top-level tire management apart
• Questions about the electronic tread probe kit

What makes a top-level manager?

A top-level tire management professional combines technical knowledge, analytical skills and leadership ability to ensure the fleet operates safely, efficiently and economically.

This professional can be defined by various characteristics and skills.

For example, detailed knowledge of different tire types, their specifications, wear characteristics and maintenance methods is needed. This allows informed decisions on tire purchasing, use and replacement.

The ability to analyze data is also a distinguishing strength, knowing how to use tire control tools to monitor and analyze data such as tread depth, tire pressure, mileage traveled and maintenance history.

This is fundamental to identify wear patterns, plan preventive maintenance and optimize tire useful life.

A good manager also knows how to plan and organize tire inspection and maintenance schedules, can train the team in tire maintenance best practices and ensure everyone follows procedures correctly, and keeps up to date with technological innovations in fleet management, such as tire pressure monitoring systems, depth sensors and tire management software.

Where should top-level fleet tire management start?

Tire hot branding

Many people do not even do the basics, which means hot branding the tire. So this is my main first-step recommendation for starting tire management.

After all, without individual identification for every asset, there is no good way to control fleet tires.

Registering tire information

Next, each tire's information needs to be recorded:

• Make and model: record the make and model of every tire used in the fleet. This allows you to monitor each tire type's specific performance and identify which makes and models are more durable and economical.
• Purchase price: note each tire's purchase price. This helps calculate cost per kilometer traveled (CPK) and compare different options' value for money.
• Position and installation: record the position in which each tire was installed (front, rear, left side, right side). This is essential for monitoring wear and planning tire rotations. Remember to update the information whenever any tire relocation occurs.
• Vehicle mileage: note vehicle mileage at the time of tire installation. This makes tire useful life easier to calculate and helps plan replacements and maintenance.

Without this information, there is no tire management. So if you are not yet doing this in your fleet, you need to start immediately.

Inspection and data collection

To manage tires successfully, you should regularly monitor tire tread depth. This helps identify when tires are worn and need replacement.

Measure and record tire pressure frequently. Correct pressure not only increases tire useful life, but also improves fuel economy and vehicle safety.

Keep a detailed record of all tire maintenance performed, including rotations, alignments and balancing. This helps plan future maintenance and prevent problems before they become critical.

How do top-level managers handle tire management?

Using specific, advanced technologies

Top-level managers use technologies developed specifically for fleet tire control, such as pressure sensors and an electronic tread depth probe.

These devices provide real-time data on each tire's condition, making it possible to immediately detect any anomalies, such as low pressure or irregular wear, and take corrective actions quickly.

They also use management systems that allow tire data to be accessed from anywhere, making continuous oversight easier. These systems can be integrated with fleet management software, which centralizes all information and helps decision-making.

Analyzing data to plan and drive improvements

Top-level managers collect and analyze large amounts of tire performance data. This includes mileage, tread depth, pressure and maintenance history.

Using appropriate tools, such as a tire management system, they turn this data into detailed reports identifying wear patterns and trends.

Detailed analysis of this data allows managers to make accurate tire useful life predictions and plan preventive maintenance efficiently.

They can also identify which tires are wearing faster and determine the causes, whether alignment problems, excessive loads or other operational issues.

There is also the fact that this information helps calculate each tire's cost per kilometer (CPK), allowing more accurate financial management and identification of tires offering the best value for money.

Training their team

Top-level managers understand that a well-trained team is essential for effective tire management. They invest in continuous training programs, ensuring all team members are up to date with maintenance best practices and the latest technologies available on the market.

This training ranges from correct use of measuring equipment to advanced maintenance techniques such as tire alignment and balancing. The team learns to identify signs of premature wear and make precise adjustments that extend tire useful life.

Managers also promote a culture of safety and responsibility, where every team member understands the importance of following inspection and maintenance procedures.

They also encourage open communication, allowing employees to share observations and suggestions for improving processes.

What are the difficulties in tire management?

Levels of difficulty in tire management can vary, from those already performing control and seeking optimization to people who have not yet adopted fleet technology.

The main issues I highlight as potentially problematic in tire management are:

Low accuracy in data reading and analysis

If you do not monitor tire data frequently, you clearly will not have enough information to analyze. And it is very important to do this with tools that provide accuracy.

When measurements are made manually, the chance of human error increases, which can lead to inaccurate data on tread depth, tire pressure and overall wear.

These errors make informed decision-making harder and can result in premature or late tire replacements.

Arduous and time-consuming manual process

The manual tire inspection process is laborious and very time-consuming. Inspecting each tire, recording information on paper and then transcribing this data into a spreadsheet is repetitive work that demotivates the team.

This lack of engagement can lead to incomplete or poorly performed inspections, compromising the effectiveness of tire control.

Rework and duplicated effort

Rework frequently occurs in manual management. Information collected on paper needs to be typed into a spreadsheet, which not only consumes time but also leaves room for typing errors.

Each tire also needs individual analysis to determine which work orders need to be opened, increasing tire management complexity and time requirements.

Loss of productivity and operational efficiency

Because all measurements and records need to be made manually, tire inspection time is longer. This reduces team efficiency, as more time is spent inspecting tires and less on other important activities.

Problems such as irregular wear, low pressure and tire failures can result in unexpected stops and additional emergency repair and replacement costs.

What sets top-level tire management apart?

The distinguishing approach and actions that help solve tire management difficulties and problems include:

Ideal calibration

To begin with, calculate ideal calibration. This means analyzing tire wear and adjusting pressure as needed.

If wear is irregular, adjust pressure (increasing or decreasing as needed) and observe performance over the next 4 to 5 months. If the problem persists, adjust in the opposite direction.

Here is an important addition: ideal operating pressure should be measured taking vehicle type, tire type, road conditions, trip type and distance traveled into account.

Using technological tools

The main technological solution offered by Prolog is the tire management kit, which includes an electronic tread probe and a digital data storage and analysis system.

Our tread probe is a highly accurate depth gauge that facilitates tire inspection, making data collection faster and more accurate and avoiding any rework.

All data is transmitted via Bluetooth to Prolog's database.

Work order automation

Prolog's digital system allows work orders to be opened automatically based on automated analyses. This eliminates the need for a tire analyst to check each tire individually to determine which need repairs or disposal.

The system also calculates cost per kilometer (CPK) for the tire and retreading, providing data for financial management too.

Data integration and continuous analysis

Data collected by the electronic tread probe kit is integrated into Prolog's management system, allowing continuous, detailed analysis. This includes keeping track of tread depth, tire pressure and other important metrics measured in inspections.

With this data, it is possible to identify wear patterns and make informed decisions about tire maintenance and replacement.

General questions about Prolog's electronic tread probe kit

Below, I answer some of the most common questions about our tread probe kit, but you can also check our FAQ or ask one of our specialists directly.

Does every vehicle need equipment, or can it serve several vehicles?

It serves several. The recommendation is to acquire one kit for each operational garage (branch, maintenance base, tire workshop, etc.). This optimizes equipment use and ensures inspection efficiency.

After a certain rental period, does the equipment become the user's property?

The equipment never becomes the customer's property because it is essentially part of our subscription service.

Without Prolog's management system, the inspection probe would have no use, since both work together to ensure process accuracy and automation.

The acquisition model is monthly subscription only, providing continuous access to system updates and improvements.

How does the device identify the tire to compile data?

All relocations are made digitally in Prolog's system. This way, the system knows which tire is in each location.

Is Prolog tire-only software or does it cover all maintenance?

Currently, Prolog has tire management systems, subscribed to together with the physical inspection tool, as well as a maintenance management system and electronic checklist platform.

All these systems can be integrated with each other, allowing a comprehensive, centralized fleet view.

They can also be integrated with various management systems on the market, facilitating centralization of data specific to other operational areas.

To learn more about how Prolog's electronic tread probe kit can benefit your fleet, schedule a free demonstration with one of our specialists.