Three out of ten truck breakdowns in Europe are caused by tires

90% of tire-related problems are due to pressure loss. Euromaster is prepared to service the TPMS tire pressure monitoring system for heavy vehicles.

What are the main faults suffered by heavy vehicles in Europe? According to Euromaster, specialist in comprehensive vehicle care and maintenance, about 30% of them are directly related to tires and, when investigating the causes, it turns out that, in 90% cases, is about loss of pressure.

Given the importance of tires as a fundamental safety element in a heavy vehicle and, above all, due to the uniqueness and complexity of their weight and size, since July 2024 it has been mandatory in Europe for all newly manufactured vehicles (including semi-trailers) to be equipped with the system TPMS (Tire Pressure Monitoring System), a tire pressure control and monitoring system, as established by the European standard UN ECE R-141.

In fact, underinflated tires can cause not only breakdowns, but also accidents. And it is estimated that 80% tire puncture risk causing damage, could be avoided with daily pressure checks - a task that the TPMS system already performs through various sensors installed in the tire structure.

These sensors alert the driver via a message or warning light on the screen behind the steering wheel, indicating that one of the truck, semi-trailer or bus tires has lost pressure below the established limits (from less 20% of the pressure indicated by the manufacturer, This corresponds to around 0.2 bar). In view of this warning, the driver should check the tires, brakes and rims. If there is visible damage or if there is any doubt, the best thing to do is to call a breakdown service or go to a specialized workshop.

With this focus on the safety of heavy vehicles, the Euromaster is prepared to properly maintain the TPMS system, which not only guarantees greater safety for hauliers, but also helps to reduce the costs associated with tires.

Specifically, one of the great advantages of keeping the TPMS in perfect working order is that it avoids unnecessary truck stoppages and the additional costs that stoppages entail, as well as delays in the delivery of goods.

The tires have a direct and indirect impact (fuel consumption, breakdowns, immobilizations....) by around 40% of a company's costs, This means that anticipating comprehensive tire maintenance can generate significant savings for hauliers.

On the one hand, because more than 30% of these costs are related to fuel consumption, since a tire in poor condition or with a lower pressure than that recommended by the manufacturer causes additional and unnecessary expenditure. On the other hand, because tire replacement itself accounts for around 5% of these costs.

Thus Euromaster recommends to transport fleets and independent drivers who follow a different scheduled maintenance and overhaul program for trucks and buses, with special attention to everything related to the tires, including the TPMS system.