Can the Wrong Tires Damage Your International Prostar?

Tires are one of the most critical components of your International ProStar, directly impacting fuel efficiency, safety, and overall performance. Choosing the wrong tires for your truck may seem like a minor mistake, but it can lead to increased wear, poor handling, higher fuel costs, and even costly mechanical damage.

For drivers and fleet operators road conditions can range from congested highways to mountainous terrain, and selecting the right tires is crucial to maximizing uptime and preventing unnecessary repairs. Let’s break down how using the wrong tires can negatively affect your ProStar and how to choose the right ones.

How the Wrong Tires Can Damage Your International ProStar

Increased Wear on Suspension and Steering Components

The weight distribution and tread design of your tires directly affect how your ProStar’s suspension and steering systems handle the road. Over time, the strain caused by the wrong tires will shorten the lifespan of key suspension components, resulting in costly repairs and safety hazards.

Using tires that are too large, too small, or have the wrong load rating creates uneven weight distribution, putting excessive stress on:

• Tie rods and ball joints – Can wear out prematurely due to increased steering effort.
• Kingpins and bushings – May develop excessive play, leading to poor handling.
• Shock absorbers – Work harder to compensate for improper tire size, leading to reduced ride comfort and performance.

Poor Fuel Efficiency and Higher Operating Costs

Your International ProStar’s fuel efficiency is designed around a specific rolling resistance and tread pattern. Choosing incorrect tires—such as deep-lug drive tires on the steer axle or off-road tires for highway use—can increase rolling resistance, forcing the engine to work harder and burn more fuel.

A low-profile tire is designed for highway use, reducing rolling resistance and improving aerodynamics. Using off-road or aggressive lug tires on a long-haul ProStar will cause unnecessary drag, negatively affecting fuel economy and performance.

Reduced Braking Performance and Longer Stopping Distances

Tire selection plays a major role in braking performance. If you frequently haul heavy loads, the wrong tires can overheat under braking, causing faster tread wear, blowouts, or even brake fade—a serious safety risk when driving through hilly terrain or stop-and-go traffic in California Check your ProStar tires for:

• Overinflated or underinflated tires: Will increase braking distances due to less road contact.
• Mismatched tires on the same axle. This leads to an uneven distribution of braking force, increasing the risk of skidding.
• Non-steer-rated tires on the front axle: It compromises traction and makes braking less predictable.

Excessive Heat Buildup and Tire Blowouts

Selecting the wrong tire ply rating or load capacity for your International ProStar means the tires could be overloaded, causing them to run hotter than normal. Tire ply ratings and load indexes are designed for specific applications. Running low-rated tires on a fully loaded ProStar increases the risk of a catastrophic failure, especially during long hauls in hot California weather.

Heat is the number one enemy of commercial truck tires. Excess heat can:

• Cause sidewall weakening, leading to blowouts.
• Accelerate tread separation, especially on retreaded tires.
• Reduce tire lifespan by thousands of miles, increasing replacement costs.

Handling and Stability Issues on Turns and Slopes

The wrong tire tread pattern or size can negatively impact your truck’s handling, especially when navigating tight turns, steep grades, or wet roads. When your ProStar feels unstable on turns or at highway speeds, double-check the tire size, pressure, and alignment to ensure you’re running the correct setup. Common issues include:

• Oversteering or understeering due to improper tread grip.
• Trailer sway or fishtailing, especially with improper drive axle tires.
• Uneven weight shifting, affecting overall stability.

Select the Right Tire Type for Your Application

Not all tires are created equal. Choosing the correct type depends on your driving conditions and load requirements.

• Steer Tires – Designed for precision handling, even wear, and smooth performance. Should always have a ribbed tread pattern for better highway grip and water dispersion.
• Drive Tires – Built for traction and power transfer. Choose deep-lug drive tires for off-road conditions or fuel-efficient drive tires for highway use.
• Trailer Tires – Must withstand constant rolling without excessive tread wear. These should have strong sidewalls and minimal tread resistance for fuel efficiency.

Never mix drive tires with steer tires, as each has a different tread design and wear pattern. When you do, you’ll have uneven wear and braking power. 

Maintain Proper Tire Pressure and Alignment

Even with the right tires, improper inflation and alignment can lead to serious performance issues. A properly aligned and inflated set of tires improves fuel efficiency, safety, and lifespan, saving fleet operators thousands of dollars in replacements and fuel costs.

• Check tire pressure daily, keeping it within manufacturer-recommended PSI.
• Rotate and balance tires every 40,000–50,000 miles.
• Inspect for uneven wear, which could indicate suspension or alignment issues.

Consider Retread vs. New Tires

Some fleet managers opt for retreaded tires to cut costs. If using retreads, ensure they are high-quality, properly inspected, and used only on drive or trailer axles. While retreads can be a cost-effective solution, using them on steer axles or mismatched with new tires can lead to irregular tread wear that reduces traction, inconsistent rolling resistance that lowers fuel efficiency, and a higher blowout risk, especially on older casings.

The Right Tires Keep Your ProStar Safe and Efficient

Choosing the wrong tires for your International ProStar can lead to mechanical wear, poor handling, excessive fuel costs, and dangerous blowouts. By selecting the right tire type, size, and load rating, you’ll extend tire life, improve safety, and keep your truck operating efficiently.

At Honest Diesel Repair Company, we help truckers in Anaheim, Riverside, and Corona, CA keep their rigs road-ready and DOT-compliant. Whether you need tire recommendations, wheel alignment, or suspension repairs, we’re here to keep your fleet rolling safely. For more information, read our article on tire life to find out how long they last.