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No other retread is a Michelin. That’s why STTC relies exclusively on Michelin Retread Technologies (MRT) and Oliver Rubber for our entire truck tire retreading process. Michelin truck tire retreads are built with computer-controlled Michelin precision, to Michelin’s high standards, using Michelin new-tire rubber compounds and tread designs. Every STTC retread is a certified and warrantied by STTC, and backed by today’s most advanced asset management system.
There’s a reason STTC uses MRT—no other inspection and retread process utilizes Michelin new-tire technology, materials, and quality standards to deliver genuine Michelin performance. Retreads built using the MRT process are the first and only retreads built with:
STTC is proud to be an authorized Oliver dealer. Oliver is America’s 1st retread rubber brand with more than 100 years of experience. The Oliver retread process offers exclusive features that enhance traction and durability and deliver consistent results you can count on.
What are retread tires? Retreading a tire is essentially recycling a tire to re-use about 90% of the original tire materials, while the final cost is about 50% of the cost to produce a new tire.
There are many benefits to purchasing retread tires and retreading worn casings. These benefits include: reduced fuel consumption, improved steering and overall better handling, better braking, reduced brake dust, reduced vibration, better highway mileage, increased safety, fewer tire-related service calls, lower price, and better overall quality performance.
A retread tire costs on average 0.001 cents per mile compared with a new tire that costs on average 0.0023 cents per mile over its lifetime.
Retread tires offer superior fuel efficiency compared with lower quality foreign-made new tires.
The retread tire costs about $150 to $200 less per tire than the average new tire, helping growing fleets reduce their capital investments significantly and improve their initial investment with high quality casings.
One new tire requires 22 gallons of oil to produce, whereas retread tires need only 7 gallons. In other words, when a company chooses retread tires instead of buying new tires, they save 15 gallons of oil per tire.
The number of tires now in landfills stands at over 800 million. Re-using tires before they are scrapped will help reduce the landfill impact by a factor of three to four. Each retreaded commercial truck tire keeps 100 lbs. of waste materials out of local landfills and allows companies to support their environmental initiatives.
Tire retreading is a mature and growing industry, both in the United States and across the globe. Based on the studies, 13 million tires are retreaded annually in the United States.
Fact 1: Retreads are just as safe as new tires.
Properly maintained retreaded tires have the same or better operating characteristics as new tires and do not cause accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, most of the tires involved in tire-related accidents are either under-inflated or bald. Ambulances, aircraft, school buses, and fire engines all use retreads.
Fact 2: The rubber debris on the road is from all types of tires, including new tires and retreaded tires.
Road hazards, Under-inflation and overloading are the primary reasons for tire failure and seeing those rubber “gators” on the road. According to the NHTSA Commercial Medium Tire Debris Study:
“The analysis of tire fragments and casings collected in this study has found that the proportion of tire debris from retread tires and OE tires is similar to the estimated proportion of retread and OE tires in service. Indeed, the OE versus retread proportions of the collected tire debris broadly correlated with accepted industry expectations. Additionally, there was no evidence to suggest that the proportion of tire fragments/shreds from retread tires was overrepresented in the debris items collected.”
Fact 3: U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) standards govern the retreading of passenger, light pickup, and commercial truck tires.
Each retread is marked on the sidewall with a code number to identify its retread status, where and when the tire was retreaded. Although the U.S. Department of Transportation does not have different regulations for retreaded truck tires (from new tires), the quality and reliability of truck retread technology has improved in recent years with the advent of computers in manufacturing and non-destructive tire testing.
Fact 4: A quality retread delivers mileage on par with many new tires.
Just as new tire mileage varies widely, so does retread tire mileage. A complex mix of factors, such as on/off road application, long/short haul, inflation and maintenance practices, tread compounding, tread weight, tread design, and casing structure is responsible for this variation. But remember that proper tire maintenance is key to efficient mileage.
Fact 5: Heat can ruin any tire, new or not.
In most cases, heat buildup is due to under-inflation. That’s why proper inflation is so important, no matter what kind of tire you’re running.
One debate that never seems to settle in the commercial trucking industry is choosing new tires or retreading tires when it’s time for a replacement. Both offer fleet managers their own set of benefits and understanding the pros and cons of each will allow you to make a more informed decision when it comes to your repair and maintenance budget. Also the application and placement on the vehicle (steering, drive, trailer, etc.) may determine whether retreads are a viable choice.
Six years of operational performance makes a tire “old,” but there is no specific age at which a tire cannot be retread. The tire retreading company will conduct an in-depth inspection to determine its current condition. This inspection includes analyzing all potential failure points for the tire and testing whether its structure is strong enough to allow for the retreading to be completed.
It is possible to retread a commercial truck tire casing multiple times, assuming the casing passes stringent inspection requirements. Many manufacturers warranty their tires for three retreads assuming there has not been any damage due to the fleet’s operation like sever scuffing, underinflation, or large punctures.
Many commercial fleet operators use tire retreading because retreads offer optimal tire wear, superior traction, and safety for the vehicle at a lower cost. To highlight this point, government agencies often choose retread tires for ambulances and fire trucks, which require the highest level of protection and performance. The data shows that bald tires and underinflated tires are the likeliest cause of tire-related accidents, so proper tire maintenance is always of the utmost importance.
STTC has the equipment to help with even the most heavy-duty trucks, so we are able to accommodate requests for almost all roadside assistance needs. Our qualified and TIA 300 certified technicians can service your truck even if you are hauling an oversized load across the country. Simply call our hotline and we will be happy to schedule a repair ASAP.