Retreaded Tires: Debunking 6 Myths
No matter what your concepts are about retreaded tires, they are among the most common types you will find in many countries in the world. The regular users of retread truck tire are regular drivers, off-roaders, and overlanders. While its pocket-friendly pricing and environment-friendly features attract many outdoor enthusiasts, several myths are related to this type of tire.
What Are Retread Tires?
These tires go through a remanufacturing process that replaces the worn tread with a new one. People often call these “remolded tires” or “recap tires”.
The remold process aims to extend the tire life. These tires are safe on all Trailer and Drive positions. In the case of non-passenger transport vehicles, you can also use these on the steer position.
Myths about Retreaded Tires
If you are a car enthusiast, you may have heard a lot about this tire. Being popular, it’s not surprising that a lot of myths have been circulating around them. We’ve debunked some of the most common ones:
1. Retreads Are Unsafe
The safety concern about retread tires is the biggest myth of all.
This misconception comes from a common belief that these tires are built using old tire casings and lack structural integrity. But the point is, casings don’t experience the type of wear that tread does upon proper maintenance. So, there is no safety risk in using these tires for regular driving.
Various State and Federal studies showed that the underinflated tires and overloaded vehicles are prime reasons behind most tire failures. Statistics also show that there is no difference in the accident rates of new and retreads.
The U.S. tire industry has its own parameters of tire safety standards that don’t contradict the retread type. Also, the industry is constantly working on improving the remolded tire technology.
2. Retread Tires are Illegal
Are retread tires legal? Yes, absolutely. But a large portion of the population has this misconception about these tires. In the USA, you will not find a single state that legally bars the use of retreaded tires on any vehicle.
The problem lies in a lack of precise knowledge about related laws. There is only one mention of retread tires in legislation and that comes when the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) states the guideline about vehicles with retread tire transporting HM.
The guideline confirmed that a bus should not use these tires on its front wheels. This is the only legal obstruction against the application of this type. You can even use them on the back wheels of the same bus. Many people misinterpret this legal clause and think that the tires are illegal.
3. Retread Tires Wear Faster Than New Tires
A large number of retreaders apply the mold cure process for retreading. It is better than the traditional pre cure retreading. When manufacturers use unvulcanized rubber for the remolded tires, they become long-lasting. But the wear will depend on various factors such as:
- The total weight load of the vehicle
- Under-inflated tires
- Driving style and habits of the driver
- Traction upgrade
- Total mileage on the highway compared to city roads
4. Heat is Lethal for Retread
No, this is not true.
If you heard somewhere that heat could kill a retread tire by deteriorating the bonding of its elements, there is no reason to believe it. Heat can be detrimental to your tires, whether it is new or retreaded.
Keep in mind that underinflation is the leading cause of tire heat and subsequent tire failure. For this reason, keep the tires inflated and maintain the correct air pressure for all tires. Always keep a tire gauge with you and use it properly.
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5. Retread Tires Have Performance Issues
This is another false presumption about these tires.
Fans and regular users of these tires can vouch for their brilliant performance. These tires do not contain any air leaks, bulges, blowouts, tread separations, or any other faults. Hence, a quality retread tire can deliver the mileage just like many new tires.
Some tires are strong enough for surviving the rigor of challenging racing. Like new tire mileage, retreaded tire mileage also varies, depending on its weight, design, casing structure, and tread compound. But you can make the most of the mileage by maintaining the tire.
6. Retreads Don’t Look Good
The look of a retread tire depends on its brand. If you purchase it from a reputable brand, you will get a remolded tire with a great appearance. These retreaders are skilled and remold these tires with great care. By choosing high-performance retread tires, you can also get a nice look.
Conclusion
Due to the myths surrounding the retreaded tires, many people avoid using them. We hope that this article has cleared your confusion. These are like any other tires that will provide a great service upon taking decent care of them.
