Simply put, a local shop would not be able to fit fresh tread on a worn tire in a way that is more durable and safer than what a major manufacturer can do at its factory. Radial tire design can last 70,000 or 80,000 or more miles if properly maintained.”ĬR doesn’t recommend retreading passenger vehicle tires. Nowadays, virtually all car tires are longer-lasting. “This was common back in the day of bias tires when you only got 10,000 to 20,000 miles out of car tires. “Tire retreading involves taking a tire that is worn out and removing the remaining layer of old tread and applying a new tread to that tire so you have a fresh tread again,” says Ryan Pszczolkowski, Consumer Reports’ tire program leader. But is tire retreading a more environmentally friendly way to extend tire life or are you better off buying a new set of good tires? According to the Environmental Protection Agency, 1.2 million tons of tires ended up in the landfill in 2018 alone.

Most people go through multiple sets of tires during the life of their car.

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