Retread

Some applications for retreaded tires are airplanes, racing cars, buses and delivery trucks.

Use of retreaded tires was common historically, but as of 2008, it was seldom used for passenger vehicles, mainly due to discomfort on the road, safety issues and cheaper tire brands surfacing on the market.

A 1997 study estimates that then current generation of commercial vehicles tires to last up to 600,000 miles if they're retreaded two to three times.

[5] Previously prepared tread strip is applied to tire casing with cement.

[4] Following a thorough quality inspection, the worn tire tread is removed from the casing by buffing.

[6] Raw rubber is then applied to the tire casing and it is then placed in a mold where tread is formed.

[8] Federal Executive Order 13149, signed by President Bill Clinton supports the use of retread tires for economic and environmental efficiency by requiring federal vehicles to use retread tires after original factory equipped tires become non serviceable, but only when "such products are reasonably available and meet applicable performance standards".

In fact, the US EPA estimated a greater than 75% savings in oil used for a retread as compared to a new tire.