Preventative maintenance on vehicles may seem like an unneeded expense. However, taking care of problems before they become problems will save lots of money and frustration in the future. Neglecting preventative maintenance and needed repairs cost over $2 billion each year in the United States.
Skipping maintenance and small repairs are not saving money when they only lead to significant repairs and towing expenses down the road. Not to mention, when you are driving a vehicle with maintenance problems, you are risking your life and the lives of those on the road with you. For example, a recent study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed that vehicles driving with under-inflated tires were three times more likely to be involved in a car accident compared to cars with properly inflated tires.
Additionally, hydroplaning can start at only 47 miles an hour when driving on work out tires. If your tires? tread is down to 6/32nds of an inch, it is time to do something about it. One option is retreading. Retreading is when worn out tires receive new treads. Not all worn tires are eligible for retreading; they will need to be inspected and selected first.
Once a tire is selected, the worn tread is buffed off, and a new tread is bonded to the tire. Tires need to be inspected first to ensure the base or casing is stable enough to hold the new tread. The new tread is applied with heat, time, and pressure.
Tire retreading was started in the early 1900s and has grown since as a viable option to complete tire replacement. There are over 850 retreading plants, and these plants vary in size and production capacity. There are over $3 billion in retread tires sold annually.
While you need to be cautious when buying used tires, retreaded tires are carefully inspected and safe. There are some tire companies that will sell retreaded tires. When looking for tire replacement, you can call ahead to your local shops to see if they have access to retreaded tires.
In addition to being potential cost saving, choosing retreaded tires helps to address a significant environmental concern in the United States. Tire waste is a huge problem due to the sheer number of tires being disposed of each year and the inability to safely store or burn tires. There are some ways that tires can be recycled and reused, but it is up to consumers to choose these options over buying new.
If you are in need of new tires and you want to try to save money or help the environment, look into retreaded tires first to see what your options are locally.