What Are Retread Tyres & Are They Safe?

When a tyre reaches it end cycle of its life due to wear, you need to replace it with new ones for safety and legal reasons. But, one way you can give a new lease of life to your Winter Tyres Leicester is by having them retreaded.  

What Do You Mean By Retreading?

Retreading is the process of recycling a tyre that is worn out but still has decent structural integrity so that the treads of the tyre can be replaced and the tyre can be reused. These tyres are not commonly used by car drivers and most of them choose the replacement option.

But, it is something that drivers of heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks and tractors benefit from, as they are likely to need to replace their tyres much sooner and retreading is one of the cheaper ways than buying new tyres.

This is not only more cost-effective but it also helps to reduce the amount of waste of the rubber and it is more environmentally friendly.

A tyre is made up of a hard, petroleum-based rubber material and when it is retreaded, less of this rubber is needed compared to constructing a whole new tyre.

How is Retreading in A Tyre Done?

The first process of retreading is that the sidewalls and the threadbare tread are removed and new rubber is stitched into the tyre. Then these tyres are stored and inspected to ensure the retreading has been done properly with a high standard of care.

Retreading can only be done by the tyre specialists with the right skill set, years of experience and the right equipment and tools. It is not something you can able to do in your home garage. 

Can You Retreaded All Tyres?

Retreading can be performed in most of the tyres as long as they still have good structural integrity. For retreading a tyre that is used in passenger vehicles, it must have a minimum speed rating of 140kph for it to qualify for retreading.

All the major popular manufacturer's tyres have the ability to be retreaded. However, the process of retreading is mostly common on heavy-duty tyres because they are much more robust than standard passenger car tyres.

But, it’s not something that is often performed on car tyres, so it isn’t something most drivers are aware of. Retreading is more common among those who have vehicles that need their tyres replaced more often such as trucks and buses.

Retreading practice is also very common for tyres used in aviation. If you are planning to use retreaded tyres, be sure to check the insurance policy of your vehicle to avoid invalidating your insurance. 

Is Doing Retreading Safe?

Yes, the retreading of your tyres is completely safe. But it is often considered that retreaded tyres don’t match the performance and quality of new tyres which is the reason you don’t see them used by car owners.

It also becomes more difficult to trace the history of a used tyre, which is why some people have doubts about the strength of the internal structure of the retreaded tyres. But those reputable companies that offer retreading tyres will have to follow strict guidelines and follow safety standards to sell the tyres.

What Are The Advantages of Retreaded Tyres?

Many advantages mean a lot for some people, retreading is a more cost-effective solution than replacing worn tyres:

Retreading is completely safe, regardless of some of the negative thoughts surrounding it.

The are more affordable alternatives than buying a new tyre.

It is more environmentally friendly by using less raw materials to replace the treads and not throwing another used tyre into a landfill.

By retreading the lifespan of the tyre will be increased you would usually have to replace it due to the tread no longer being road-legal. As long as the structure hasn’t been damaged, a single tyre can be retreaded more than one time. 

What Are The Disadvantages of Retreaded Tyres?

There are some disadvantages of using retreading tyres that mean it’s not as common among car drivers as it is for those who use heavy-duty tyres: 

Some people think that retreaded tyres do not offer the same high quality that new tyres offer.

Sometimes new treads can increase the weight of the tyre which results in wheel balancing problems.

Those tyres that have been retreaded have a lower speed rating compared to new tyres.

Some people share their experience that they don’t offer a better grip on wet roads compared to new ones.

Some vehicle manufacturers don’t advise fitting retreaded tyres on their vehicles.  

If you don’t know or fail to know the history of a tyre then how may you know how many times it has been retreaded in the past.

Are Retreaded Tyres A Better Alternative To Buying New Ones?

The environmental benefits make retreading tyres a better option, but it is important to understand the benefits of both advantages and disadvantages before finalizing your decision. In some cases, the retreaded tyres can save you money but unless you drive a heavy-duty vehicle commercially, it might not be the best option for you. While retreading your Cheap Tyres Leicester can be the cost-effective option, the quality and performance won’t be as good as if you were to replace them simply.