In transportation, tires are the the second most expensive input after fuel. When properly managed, they can become a strategic ally to save diesel and reduce accidents.
The problem is that the transporter’s daily routine is full of challenges: theft, crime, accidents, customer complaints, conflicts with drivers, and an operation that consumes time and energy. In the midst of all this, tires end up being a constant headache: they cost a lot of money, are difficult to control, and many times it is not clear whether the right tire is really being purchased for each operation.
At Quinta, we have seen it many times: tire management has been normalized as something complex, and it is even accepted as “normal” for tires to blow out on the road, when in reality the question should be:
Can I do it better?
Common mistakes in tire management
1. Not having an ID for the tires
Many fleets do not identify each tire with a unique number or record.
Without that control, it becomes almost impossible to track which tires are mounted on each unit, and the result is confusion, loss of money, and zero traceability.
2. Not constantly checking the pressure
Pressure is like oxygen for a tire.
A clear process of regular inspections can make the difference between losing money every day our saving thousands of pesos per year. Moreover, proper pressure not only extends the life of the tire, it also improves fuel efficiency and protects the driver’s safety.
3. Using outdated methods
The manual tread depth gauge and recording on paper sheets no longer work in modern operations.
Transferring data from a notebook to a system is not only slow, it also opens the door to errors: from mixing up the recorded tire to losing information because the vehicle has already gone on route.
With an average cost of $5,000 pesos per tire, each recording error can cost more than you imagine.
4. Human error
Those responsible for inspecting tires do an admirable job, but also a repetitive, tedious one under difficult conditions (hours in the sun, between vehicles and tires). That increases the likelihood of making mistakes that directly impact operations and costs.
5. Measuring by time and not by performance
In many fleets it is still heard:
“This tire has already been in use for more than X months.”
The problem is that measuring only by time does not reflect the actual performance. A tire can cover thousands of kilometers in just a few months or very few over a longer period, and using only the time variable creates a wrong idea of how much they actually perform.
This can lead to wrong conclusions about brands, costs, or performance. The right approach is to measure with objective data: kilometers traveled, operating conditions, and remaining tread depth.
Three simple practices to improve today
- Identify your tires: Assign a unique number to each tire and record its location from the moment it is mounted. Ideally, use specialized software, but even starting with Excel is already a big step.
- Create a pressure inspection process: Define those responsible, the frequency, and a clear procedure. Proper pressure means longer tire life and significant savings in diesel.
- Conduct general inspections every three months: Evaluate tread depth, wear, and possible damage (bulges, hard braking, irregularities). With a basic inspection, you can prevent major incidents.
How we do it at Quinta
At Quinta, we believe that tire management should not be a headache.
That’s why we developed tools that eliminate complexity: real-time data, sensors that measure pressure, temperature, and tread depth, and software that turns that information into clear actions and immediate savings.
If you are ready to optimize your second most important input, save on fuel, and reduce risks on the road, click here and start transforming your operation.
English 
Spanish