Examine the tread and feel the rubber with your fingertips for imperfections, Fingertips are very sensitive to changes in patterns and unusual wear.

Three elements are the foundation for getting optimum return on investment in truck tires

1. Check and adjust air pressure monthly (at least). Maintaining correct inflation pressure is the single most effective way to forestall tire wear and improve casing life and tire performance.

Over-inflation can create performance issues but under-inflation is far more common and expensive, because it can damage tires by raising their temperature."Insufficient inflation also hurts fuel economy,"Ambient temperature also affects inflation pressures. Recommended pressure drops one pound for every 10-degree increase in ambient temperature.

2. Check wheel alignment. A good truck wheel alignment program can boost your tire mileage by as much as 30 percent

Because misalignment also increases truck rolling resistance, regularly checking and adjusting alignment also pays off in reduced fuel use.

3. Regularly inspect tires. During monthly inflation-pressure checks, you should look for irregular tire wear and run your hand over each tire's tread to feel for abnormalities.

Things to check for include unusual wear patterns like feathering or cupping," Miller says. "It's important to make immediate note of wear patterns.=

Refer to those notes at future inspections to be sure you've corrected the problem.

While feeling the tread, you should inspect the whole tire for damage such as cuts, cracks, blisters or bulges," Miller says. If damage is severe, the tire should be taken out of service immediately.