How to Check Truck Tyre Pressure on Heavy Duty Vehicles
06 Mar 2025
Having the right tyre pressures is important for any vehicle, but when it comes to trucks, HGVs, vans, buses and any other large vehicles, it can have a significant impact on safety, handling, fuel efficiency and the life of the tyres.
In this guide, we explore how to check that truck, lorry and other commercial vehicle tyres are safe for use and at the correct pressures.
Why commercial vehicle tyre pressures matter
Safety
Tyres are the contact point between the vehicle and the road, so the tyre condition and pressure can have a real effect on safety. Incorrect tyre pressures, whether underinflated or overinflated, can have an impact on how well the braking system performs, steering sensitivity and the general stability of the vehicle.
For example, tyres that have lower pressure than intended will generate more heat and can bring a higher risk of a blowout occurring. This is even more of a risk at higher speeds and when carrying heavy loads, such as when driving on a motorway or highway.
Tyres that are overinflated can reduce the traction on the road, which can cause real problems in wet or icy road conditions and increase the risk of aquaplaning. Higher than recommended tyre pressure can also make tyres more susceptible to damage from hazards encountered on the road.
Handling
All large vehicles need skillful and precise handling to navigate challenging roads, weather conditions, tight turns and other manoeuvres. If the tyre pressure is incorrect in a large truck or lorry, this can mean the weight distribution is uneven, which makes the vehicle harder to control. For HGVs and other vehicles with multiple axles, a tyre imbalance can amplify this and make handling even more challenging.
Fuel efficiency
Tyres that are underinflated increase rolling resistance, which makes the engine work harder and thus use more fuel. For large and heavy vehicles, tyres that are inflated to the right level actually reduce drag, which makes the drive smoother and more efficient. The difference this can make to fuel efficiency can be highly significant if the truck or lorry does a lot of miles as part of a fleet, resulting in substantial cost savings.
Tyre longevity
The incorrect tyre pressure can accelerate the wear and tear on tyres. Overinflation usually means excessive wear can be found in the centre of truck tyres, whereas underinflation usually results in more wear on the outer edges.
If the tyre pressure is always maintained at the optimum recommended level, it can extend the lifetime of the tyres, cutting out replacement costs as well as increasing the efficiency of the vehicle in general.
Why commercial vehicles might lose tyre pressure
There are several reasons why commercial vehicles might experience a drop in tyre pressure, including:
- Temperature changes – If there are sudden temperature changes, it can cause the air in tyres to expand or contract, which affects the air pressure in tyres. This is why tyre pressure can fluctuate more as temperatures drop for the winter, and as things warm up in early summer.
- Punctures or valve leaks - Small punctures in the tyre itself or damage to the valve stem can sometimes cause air to leak slowly from the tyre.
Heavy loads – The high weight burden of commercial vehicles can put extra stress on tyres, which may mean pressure is slowly lost over time.
Checking truck tyre pressure: Step-by-step
To check the pressure of your truck or other commercial vehicle, you’ll need:
- To know the manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressures for your specific vehicle (found in the manual and usually printed on a placard that is stuck to the driver’s door jamb). There will often be different recommended pressures for tyres in different positions on the vehicle.
- A high-quality tyre pressure gauge that is rated for use on large commercial vehicles.
- An air compressor that has the right fittings for your specific vehicle.
To accurately check the tyre pressure of a truck or any other vehicle, you’ll need to park it safely on a flat surface and turn the engine off. The tyres will need to be allowed to cool before you check the pressure to give a reliable reading.
- Remove the valve caps from all tyres – keep them the same so that they can be put back on later.
- Attach the pressure gauge to each tyre’s valve in turn and press firmly so that a reading is provided. Compare this reading to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure for that tyre.
- If needed, you can adjust the pressure:
If overinflated – you can release excess air by pressing the pin inside the valve stem using the end of the gauge or another tool.
If underinflated – you can use the air compressor to add the necessary air to the tyre, keeping an eye on the reading to prevent overinflation.
- Re-check the tyre pressures after you have finished adjusting them.
- Replace the valve caps securely on all tyres.
Tyre pressures are part of the essential checks that should be done very regularly on any large or commercial vehicles, but there are also visual checks that should be carried out, especially if driving a fleet vehicle that is used by other drivers too. These include:
Check for damage
Look each tyre over for any signs of damage, such as cracks, cuts or bulges on the sidewall or tread. These can cause a weak spot in the structure of the tyre and lead to a blowout.
Check for uneven wear
Any uneven wear on truck tyres can indicate that there is a problem, such as under or overinflation, alignment issues or problems with the suspension.
Measure the tread depth
Check each tyres tread depth in several places, using a gauge, to ensure that it meets the legal standards for the country that you’re driving in. The requirements do vary from nation to nation, so check this before you start your journey.
Check the tyre age
In some countries, tyre age is a legal consideration for heavy vehicles. For example, in the UK, it’s illegal for front axles of HGVs (or any vehicles over 3.5 tonnes) to use tyres that are more than 10 years old.
Whether it’s a legal requirement or not, tyres do degrade over time, even if they are otherwise in good condition, so it’s good practice to check the tyre age and replace any tyres over 10 years old, regardless of if they still look roadworthy. The age of truck tyres are printed on the sidewall, as a four-digit code. The first two digits are the week of manufacture, the second two are the year of manufacture.
With all of these checks, it’s important not to miss out the spare, as this tyre could be needed at any time so should meet the same standards as the others.
Tyre pressure and condition are important considerations, especially when driving large and heavy vehicles. Checking your tyres regularly is essential for safety and can also have an impact on things such as fuel economy and handling, as well as potentially helping to spot more serious issues before they become a major problem. Following our guide and checklist should help you and your commercial vehicle to enjoy safer and more efficient driving.
You can also find out more about commercial vehicle lubricants to help keep your lorry, truck or other commercial vehicle in optimal condition.