Regrooving is a well-established and proven method of extending the life of the new tire, which when carried out correctly is an effective way of minimizing operating costs, without compromising casing integrity.

The benefits of regrooving include:

• Up to 30% increase in tire life
• Significantly improved grip of the worn tire in wet weather
• Lower costs per mile

Most major brands of tires such as Michelin, Bridgestone, Firestone, Continental, General, Goodyear and Hankook to name only a few are designed to facilitate regrooving. These tires will usually have the word “Regroovable” formed into the sidewall.

Regrooving is done with the use of a Regrooving Machine, a hand-held electric tool that has a U-shaped cutting blade inserted into its head. The idea is to exactly replicate the original tread pattern by carving out a new groove in the tread rubber, slightly deeper than the original.

Since tire tread rubber is of a harder compound closer to the bottom of the tread, it will run for more miles on this lower tread area. Cutting new grooves in this rubber gives renewed traction and grip while adding several months and many miles to the expected life-span of the tire as the photos below illustrate.

Worn tire, BEFORE REGROOVING

AFTER REGROOVING – a new life