Could regrooving cut your fleet costs?
Commercial tyres are expensive pieces of equipment, and so you’ll want to make them last for as long as possible. You’ll also want to make sure they perform well – increasing safety and driving comfort, and decreasing fuel consumption. There are several ways in which you can make commercial tyres last longer. These include good tyre rotation, proper inflation, and proper loading. You could also buy the best tyres for retreading or buy tyres that can be regrooved.
In this article, we look at regrooving commercial tyres, the fastest and easiest way to make your tyres last longer and reduce fleet costs.
What’s the difference between a retread and a regroove?
When you retread a tyre, you add new rubber onto an existing tyre when the tread has worn down. When a tyre is Regrooved, a tread pattern is re-cut into the existing tyre rubber when the tread depth has worn down to around 3mm to 4mm.
What are the benefits of regrooving?
A tyre that has been regrooved will benefit from improved grip immediately. It will increase vehicle performance, and reduce braking distance. The tyre life will also be extended, possibly by many months. Better performance equals better fuel consumption and lowers fuel costs. Longer life equals lower tyre costs.
The positive effect on fuel consumption can be dramatic. It is estimated that fuel consumption constitutes around 35% of all fleet costs. Michelin has calculated that regrooving will save around 6% to 10% of a fleet’s fuel bill. Some tyre experts estimate that a regrooved tyre is between 20% and 30% more fuel efficient than a new tyre.
How do you get the best out of regrooving?
To maximise the benefits of regrooving commercial tyres, specialist tools are needed to ensure that:
- The tread pattern is followed accurately. It is key to providing the traction expected.
- The tread pattern depth is cut consistently. It maximises the use of rubber on the tyre.
Can all tyres be regrooved?
It’s always best to refer to a tyre dealer to make certain a tyre can be regrooved because not all can be. On tyres that can be regrooved, under the original tread, the tyre rubber is at its most effective and efficient. Mileage is at a maximum while rolling resistance is at a minimum.
A tyre that can be regrooved will have extra rubber underneath the tread. Not all tyres have this, and even those that claim they can be regrooved should be checked before regrooving takes place.
Should you consider regrooving your fleet’s tyres?
There are plenty of reasons why fleet managers should consider a tyre maintenance program that includes regrooving. These include the following advantages:
- Regrooving your tyres could increase their mileage.
- Tyres that last longer need to be replaced less often, and so purchase costs fall.
- The lower rolling resistance translates to better fuel consumption, and lower fuel costs.
- Drivers benefit from a safer and more comfortable drive.
- A further benefit is that maximising fuel consumption and minimising tyre disposal adds to your fleet’s green credentials.
Tyre regrooving is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It makes good business sense. Why not book a tyre inspection for your fleet today? We’ll be happy to audit your fleet’s tyres and provide quotes for professional regrooving which will help you realise all the benefits we’ve discussed in this article.
Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,
Kevin Wood