Under Pressure: Don't Forget Tire Maintenance

One of the simplest tasks in aviation can also be one of the most overlooked…tire care. Our tires spend most of their time not turning, whether sitting on the ground or flying in the air. One would assume that they should require very little attention or maintenance because of this fact.

Well, there is a hint of truth to this thought process. However, when you think of the times when the tire is needed during flight ops (taxiing, takeoff and landing), we realize that we really need those tires to do their job well.

There are many sources of information on the internet from tire manufacturers, supply companies and type clubs t hat can assist a pilot with tire maintenance. Within these guides, there are a few anchor points that are universal:

• Check your POH for tire size and ply rating. Some POH even recommend brands.

• Check your POH and/or maintenance manual for tire pressures. Note that if you have the same size of tire on the nose as you do on the mains, the pressure recommendation may be different for both locations.

• New tires may expand for 12 hours after mounting, creating a definite need for inspection of pressure after a minimum of 12 hours of mounting. Some say that tires should not be placed into service until after 12 hours of initial inflation.

• Within the first 24 hours, if pressure decreases more than 5%, you may have trapped air between tire/tube, leaking tire stem or a faulty tube.

• Temperature changes of 5 degrees can make a one percent change in pressure.

• Check your tire pressure on cool, ambient tires only. Excess pressure should not be bled off hot tires. It can take up to three hours for tires to cool to ambient temperatures.

• MS valve caps are suggested to prevent leaking valve caps and some folks recommend tires be filled with nitrogen rather than air to prevent excessive moisture.

• Keep tires clean. If you spill oil, fluid, grease, etc. on them, clean them with denatured alcohol and then wash with soap/water. Protection from sunlight is optimal.

• If you keep spare tires in your hangar, keep them away from ozone generating areas near electric motors, fluorescent lights, battery chargers or welders.

• Change the tire, change the tube. While it may seem wasteful to toss a tube that seems to have life left in it, used tubes can grow up to 25 percent in service, making folds and binding spots probable.