Michelin Regrooving: Expelling the Myths

MICHELIN REGROOVING: EXPELLING THE MYTHS

TRUE OR FALSE? PUTTING AN END TO MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT REGROOVING

TRUE

Regrooved tyres make for safer driving, on two conditions:

  1. The original tyres must be designed for regrooving
  2. Regrooving must be carried out by a professional

In addition to recreating your tyres sharp biting edges and a tread depth of between 6 to 8 mm, regrooving extends their lifespan and increases safety.
Such tyre work improves lateral grip and drive by up to 10% (1).

  • Some manufacturers design tyres with an even layer of rubber thick enough for good quality regrooving without affecting the solidity or durability of the product. These kinds of premium tyres are due for work when the tread pattern depth reaches 2 to 4 mm.
  • Regrooving is not recommended if the tread shows signs of major damage (cut to cords, tearing, visible metal ply on the crown). MICHELIN strongly advises against regrooving tyres subjected to extreme off-road driving.
(1) Compared with the performance of the same tyres when worn out. MICHELIN references – test conducted on polished concrete.

TRUE

Choosing your tyres wisely and looking after their long-term maintenance is good for your wallet!

When performed in compliance with rules set out by the manufacturer, regrooving gives you:

  • Up to 25% more mileage.
  • Fuel savings of 2 litres every 100 km.
  • 70 kilos of raw materials saved through regrooving 4 tyres, the equivalent of a new tyre (2).
This may come as a surprise, but regrooved tyres are economical… They wear out more slowly than a new tyre and reduce fuel consumption! Tyres are regrooved when their rolling resistance is lowest. The rubber blocks of worn tyres are shallower and therefore more rigid than those of new tyres. This rigidity has the benefit of limiting road friction, reducing tyre wear and… helping you save on fuel!
(2) Internal MICHELIN references: average measurement for the 4 principal sizes on the market (315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5 and 13 R 22.5).

FALSE

Regrooving utilises extra tread rubber built into the tyre for this purpose. However, professional tyre management is the essential factor in acceptance for retreading.

FALSE

  • Regrooving does not affect the structural integrity of the casing. A tyre with 4mm remaining tread, once regrooved, is refitted with 7-8mm remaining tread which offers increased skid depth and enhanced safety.
  • Regrooving can improve lateral grip and drive by 10% (3).
(3) Internal Michelin references: average measurement for the 4 principal sizes on the market (315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5 and 13 R 22.5).

TRUE

Regrooving saves our natural resources and help protect our environment.

Regrooving and retreading (find out more about Michelin Retreads here) lets you extend the lives of used tyres, saving the equivalent of 17 million tonnes each year throughout the world.

The benefits of regrooving on the environment:

  • Emits less CO2 ➜ Up to – 1.6 tonne per year. A vehicle with regrooved tyres consumes less fuel and gives off less CO2 (1).
  • Less materials ➜ – 100 kilos of raw materials over the course of 5 regroovings.
  • Less waste ➜ – 200 kilos of used tyres recycled over the course of 4 regroovings (2).
A cleaner world, a circular economy…
In Europe, all used tyres are recycled (4) . They are used to create playgrounds, artificial grass, shoe soles, floor tiles, roller skates, and more… MICHELIN achieved a world first by building a 400m 6-lane running track using 9,000 tyres! That is just the beginning: new research will soon enable us to recycle your tyres in more efficient and innovative ways.
(1) Example of a road train traveling 120,000 km/year with 25% of running tyres regrooved.
(2) Internal MICHELIN source: average weight measured on four principle market dimensions (315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5; 13 R 22.5).

FALSE

  • Regrooving can offer 25% extra mileage from your new tyre.
  • On a cost-per-kilometre basis, regrooving is the cheapest part of the new tyre’s life, as it is performed when the tyre’s rate of wear is at it’s lowest.
  • Lower rolling resistance translates to better fuel consumption, and lower fuel costs.

WHY REGROOVE?

Entrusted to a specialist, regrooving means 3 advantages for the trucking business…

Why Regroove?

… if carried out by a specialist, regrooving s tyre has no impact on its acceptability for retreading.

(1) In relation to the period in which the tread pattern was worn down. Michelin references – test conducted on polished concrete
(2) Example of a set of tyres used to cover 120.000 km per annum with 25% of regrooved tyres in contact with the road surface.
(3) Internal Michelin references: average measurement for the 4 principal sizes on the market (315/80 R 22.5, 315/70 R 22.5, 385/65 R 22.5 and 13 R 22.5).
Save Money - Save the Environment - Stay Safe

Click here for more regrooving benefits, indicators, steps and recommendations.