TM 9-2610-200-14
2-10
CHAPTER 2. CARE, MAINTENANCE, AND INSPECTION (Con't)
SECTION I. GENERAL INFORMATION (Con't)
2-15. EFFECTS OF VEHICLE OPERATION.
a. FLAT TIRE OPERATION.
A vehicle should never be operated with a flat tire unless the tactical situation demands it. Operating a
vehicle for only a few feet could damage a tire and tube beyond repair.
CAUTION
Never inflate a tire that has been run flat or seriously underinflated without first
removing and checking for tire, tube, or rim damage.
b. EXCESSIVE SPEED.
Continued operation at high speed causes internal friction in the rubber as it flexes and thereby generates
excessive heat. The higher the speed, the higher the rate of this flexing, and the hotter the tire gets.
Excessive heat will weaken the cord body and soften the rubber causing excessive wear and possible tire
failure. Excessive wear is particularly caused by rapid acceleration, turning at high speeds, and hard
application of brakes.
c. IMPROPER LOADING.
Loading vehicles beyond their rated capacity is a
common cause of tire failure. Even if the total load
does not exceed the capacity of the vehicle, unevenly
distributed loads may overstress the tires and cause
failures.
d. USE OF CHAINS.
Unauthorized use of tire chains on hard surface roads
will cause rapid wear of chains. The chains could also
damage the cord body or the tires leading to tire
failure.
2-16. EFFECTS OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE.
a. MECHANICAL IRREGULARITIES.
In addition to proper and regular care of tires and tubes, keeping the vehicle in good mechanical condition
will result in better performance and longer service of tires.
b. EXCESSIVE WEAR OF VEHICLE COMPONENTS.
Badly worn components such as tie-rods, steering gears, drag links, ball joints, spring shackles, and shock
absorbers cause tires to wear excessively. Faulty brakes or an improperly adjusted clutch can also cause
excessive tire wear. Proper maintenance of these components, described in the applicable vehicle TM, will
prevent irregular and excessive tire wear.
TIRES OVERLOADED BY UNEVEN
LOAD DISTRIBUTION
