The Unsung Hero That Your Fleet’s Riding On: Why Your Tyres Deserve More Love (And How to Give It to Them)

Let's talk about the unsung heroes of your fleet that everybody’s counting on, your tyres. They're the only part of your vehicles actually touching the road, yet they're often the most neglected until something goes wrong. And trust me, when tyres fail it’s usually with a bang and not a whimper, and usually at the worst possible moment.

I've heard of too many organisations learning this lesson the hard way. Like Sharon (name changed for obvious reasons) from a logistics company who told me, "I never gave tyres too much thought until one of our delivery vans had a blowout on the highway with $50,000 worth of client goods on board." That wake-up call cost her company not just money but nearly cost them their biggest client.

The thing is that proper tyre care isn't rocket science. It's just good housekeeping that pays dividends in safety, savings, and peace of mind.

The Real Cost of Ignoring Your Tyres

Fuel Costs: Here's something that might surprise you: under-inflated tyres can increase your fuel consumption by up to 6%. Let’s do the maths on that: a for a 50-vehicle fleet, averaging 30,000 kilometres per annum per vehicle, average fuel consumption per vehicle 9.0 L/100km, ex-GST fuel price of $1.60, that’s $14,400 per year just evaporating into thin air, literally.

But it gets worse. Poor tyre maintenance doesn't just hit your fuel budget:

Replacement costs: Under-inflated tyres reduce the life of your tyres: for every % reduction in tyre pressure there is an equivalent % reduction in tyre usage lifetime (source: NRSPP), and neglected tyres wear unevenly and fail prematurely.

Downtime Costs: When your driver’s sitting by the side of the road waiting for assistance, they’re not visiting clients or making deliveries.

Reputation Cost: Follows on from the downtime costs, but there’s also the impression it leaves your employees’; if you really want them to be running around on canvas then buy them some Dunlop Volleys. But don’t scrimp on the tyres!

Safety costs: Worn or damaged tyres increase crash risk; that's your drivers, your reputation, and potentially your business on the line. For more insights into the cost of crashes to your organisation see Understanding Total Crash Costs and Total Crash Cost Calculator.

The Simple Checks That Save Big Money

The good news? Most tyre problems are completely preventable with some basic TLC. Here's what your tyres are trying to tell you:

• Tyre Pressure Checks: The correct tyre pressure for your vehicle is usually found on a plate on the inside of either one of the front doors. How often? Monthly, minimum. I know, I know, who has the time? But here's the thing: it takes five minutes per vehicle, and you can do a visual check for cuts & bulges, cracking and foreign objects whilst you’re at it.

• Tread Depth: Get a grip on reality! Here's a scary thought: the difference between stopping safely and sliding into trouble can be as little as 2-3mm of tread depth. Try the 20-cent test: Stick a 20-cent coin into the tread groove. If you can see the top of the platypus, your tread is getting dangerously low (less than 3mm). If you’re having trouble locating a 20-cent coin then either beg for one from a senior citizen or, as a last resort, look down the back of your sofa. Also, the vehicle service records / tax invoice usually provides a tyre condition report. While 1.5mm is the legal minimum in Australia, I’d recommend replacing at 3mm for better wet-weather performance.

Tyre Rotations

A smart way to promote even tyre wear. I’d suggest tyre rotations every 15,000 kilometres. If this fits in with the vehicle’s service scheduling, then great! Get it done then. Otherwise, take it to a specialist.

Replacing Tyres, Quality vs. Budget: Finding the Sweet Spot

Don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish when it comes to tyres. Yes, premium tyres cost more upfront, but they often deliver better fuel economy, longer life, and superior safety. And remember that the tyre market isn't just premium and budget. There's a whole middle ground that often offers the best value. Mid-range tyres from reputable manufacturers can still deliver good performance.

Look for tyres that offer:

• Reasonable expected life (60,000+ km).

• Good wet weather ratings.

• Acceptable fuel economy performance.

• Solid warranty coverage.

Brands to consider in the "sweet spot":

• Second-tier offerings from premium manufacturers.

• Established mid-market brands with good track records.

• Previous-generation models from premium lines.

Timing of Your Purchases

It can be tempting to wait for EOFY sales etc, but these days on the internet there always seems to be special deals on offer. So, my advice is to get the tyres when you need them and shop around for a great price.

Making It Happen: A Practical Action Plan

All this information is useless if you don't act on it. Here's how to turn good intentions into results:

Week 1: Assessment

• Check the current condition of all fleet tyres.

• Document tread depths, pressures, and any visible issues.

• Identify vehicles needing immediate attention.

Month 1: Systems

• Set up a monthly inspection schedule.

• Train your drivers on basic tyre checks.

• If 20-cent pieces are scarce then consider sourcing quality tread depth tools.

Month 2: Strategy

• Create a short-list of suitable replacement tyres, by vehicle by size (width/height, diameter, load index and speed rating: e.g., 205/55 R16 91V). This will reduce the labour costs involved in shopping around and buyer regret.

Ongoing: Consistency

• Monthly pressure and condition checks.

• Quarterly detailed inspections.

• Annual review of tyre performance and costs.

The Driver Factor: Your Secret Weapon

Here's something that can get overlooked: your drivers are your early warning system. But they need to know what to look for and feel comfortable reporting issues.

Train them to notice:

• Changes in vehicle handling or steering.

• Unusual vibrations or noise.

• Visual signs of tyre problems.

• The importance of not ignoring TPMS warnings.

Make reporting easy: Create a simple system for drivers to flag tyre concerns without fear of blame or paperwork headaches.

When Things Go Wrong: Emergency Preparedness

Despite your best efforts, tyre failures happen. Being prepared can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a major crisis.

Emergency kit essentials:

• Quality spare tyres.

• Reflective triangles and safety equipment.

• Emergency contact numbers for roadside assistance.

• Proper jack and wheel tools (if roadside assistance just isn’t available and you think the drivers are reasonable capable of changing a tyre themselves.

Response protocol:

• Clear procedures for drivers to follow.

• Authority levels for emergency tyre purchases.

The Bottom Line: Prevention Pays

I know this might seem like a lot of work for "just tyres," but here's the reality: proper tyre maintenance typically saves on total tyre costs while dramatically improving safety and reducing downtime.

More importantly, it gives you peace of mind. When your drivers are out there representing your business, you want to know they're riding on tyres you can trust.

Your tyres are working hard for you every single day. Isn't it time you returned the favour?

What's your experience with fleet tyre management? Have you found strategies that work particularly well, or learned any lessons the hard way? I'd love to hear your stories – drop me a comment below.