When you play football, go bowling or hike the mountain trails throughout the area, you wear special shoes. Your diesel truck also needs specialized footwear to get the most performance from your GMC-Chevy Duramax, Dodge-Cummins or Ford-Powerstroke engine. Fall is the ideal season to pay closer attention to your tires; road conditions can change in an instant from dry and cool to slick with rain or sleet. Whether your truck hauls big loads to Twin Falls, pulls a trailer for work or just takes you around Boise, the right tires help you get where you want to go.
The information stamped on the sidewall of every tire is more than a random series of numbers and letters; it's a code that tells you and your diesel engine repair specialist a wealth of information about the tire. You'll often see the letters "LT" on your truck's tires. These letters stand for "light truck" and differentiate the tires from the thinner, lighter ones that go on cars or the specialized, heavy-duty equipment that belongs on agricultural diesel vehicles and big rigs. The tires on your trailer or boat hitch get the designation "ST" for "special trailer." Following these letters are a series of numbers that describe the tire's proportions - its height to width ratio, rim diameter and radial designation.
For your truck, one of the most important pieces of information comes after this series of letters and numbers. The M+S or M+T designations refer to the tire's suitability for different conditions. The code may look arcane, but it's straightforward: "M" stands for mud, "S" for snow and "T" for terrain, so a tire with M+S stamped on it is optimized for performance in mud and snow. Tires rated for rough terrain or muddy conditions have treads that let them grab the ground more securely. For the wild weather Meridian, Nampa and Caldwell diesel owners can expect in fall and winter, these ratings are crucial.
The loads your truck moves rest on your tires, and depending on what you haul, those pounds quickly add up to tons. Factory truck tires typically have an E rating for load capacity, which means these 10-ply tires can carry up to 3,000 pounds per tire. Later letters mean more load capacity, so if you expect to haul heavy loads or to move lighter ones frequently, choose E or better ratings. If you aren't sure about your truck's load capacity, err on the side of more rugged tires. Tires with higher load capacities can always haul light loads, but the reverse isn't true.
Your tires also affect your truck's fuel consumption and overall performance. Under-inflation gives tires a softer, road-gripping feel, but they cost you in fuel efficiency. At the other end of the spectrum, over-inflation improves mileage but at the price of handling and comfort. For optimum performance and safety, follow the manufacturer's recommendations for tire pressure. Rotating tires regularly prevents worn spots and weaknesses from shortening the life of your tires. The same diesel engine repair shop that changes your air filter and keeps your common rail injectors in good shape can also handle your tires, so set aside extra time on your next visit for tire rotation.
For complete diesel maintenance in Boise, including your truck's tires, contact a diesel engine repair shop rather than a general garage.
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