Vehicle maintenance is an expensive part of life. The average driver put $10,728 worth of maintenance costs into their vehicles in 2022 alone, according to AAA, so drivers want to save money wherever they can.
This is doubly true for commercial vehicles such as trucks, farming equipment, and construction equipment, where maintenance costs significantly outpace those of your everyday driver. So it may come as no surprise that the practice of tire regrooving (aka tire retreading) has increased in popularity among truck drivers, due to increasing tire manufacturing costs.
However, retreading truck tires is controversial, and thus its legality varies by state. Here’s what you need to know about tire regrooving in Illinois.
What Is Tire Regrooving?
Regrooving tires is the process of deepening a worn-out tire’s treads to extend its lifespan. This is most commonly done to truck tires since they tend to be expensive to replace, carry heavy loads, and are in constant use.
Many truck drivers consider tire grooving because of the various benefits, which include improved traction, saving on fuel costs, extended tire usage, and reduction of environmental footprint.
However, it also comes with many potential dangers and, if done improperly, can land the driver in legal jeopardy in the state of Illinois.
Legal Framework of Tire Regrooving in Illinois
In Illinois, legal frameworks guiding tire regrooving have been created, found in Section 625 ILCS 5/12-402 and 5/12-404. Sec. 12-402 highlights the sale and lease of regrooving tires. These laws state that no organization can lease or sell any regrooved pneumatic tire for highway use.
The tire, which can be either retreaded or original tread, must be removed or siped to a depth equivalent to or surpassing the molded groove depth. Siped here refers to cutting without the material removed, while regrooved means the tread groove patterns are renewed or there is a newly created pattern.
This can also be found quoted in Part 569 of Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which states that
“Except as permitted by paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no person shall sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce regrooved tires produced by removing rubber from the surface of a worn tire tread to generate a new tread pattern. Any person who regrooves tires and leases them to owners or operators of motor vehicles and any person who regrooves his tires for use on motor vehicles is considered to be a person delivering for introduction into interstate commerce within the meaning of this part.”
In Illinois, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs) state that tires can only be removed when they meet specific conditions. This means regrooving of tires can only be allowed on tires having a depth of groove that is a minimum of 4/32 of an inch measured at any point of a major tread groove. Tires should not be regrooved below 2/32 of an inch tread groove depth.
Risks Associated with Tire Regrooving
Tire regrooving carries various risks since it can weaken the tire if done improperly. These include:
- Susceptibility to blowouts
- Skidding
- Tread separation
- And more
Drivers with retreaded tires endanger every person on the road, including themselves. In addition to the danger, legal risks are stipulated if you don’t comply with state and federal regulations.
Tire regrooving also has insurance implications. If a regrooved tire fails on the road and results in an accident, the driver may be held liable. Penalties are compounded if the regrooving was not done properly or did not comply with the state or federal regulations.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Offenders will be subject to fines, which vary based on the severity and nature of the offense. Meanwhile, businesses or individual repeat offenders can face criminal charges for using or selling non-compliant regrooved tires.
Defective tires are a top cause of vehicle accidents, so any custom modifications made to them are taken seriously by Illinois law. Left unchecked, it can result in severe or fatal car accidents or liability issues. Individuals who act negligently could be found liable for any resulting accident.
Alternatives to Tire Regrooving
Aside from regrooving, vehicle owners can consider purchasing new tires or adhering to tire maintenance tips to ensure their tires last long. Checking and maintaining tire air pressure, rotating the tires frequently, balancing the wheels and tires, or getting a wheel and tire alignment are all ways to extend tire usage without endangering the public.
Even if you intend to regroove your tires, consult with professionals to avoid violating any laws. Remember also to understand insurance policies as they allow you to manage the risk of using or selling regrooved tires.
Injured in a Truck Accident? Call Brian Lewis Today
Truck tire regrooving is controversial for a reason — it puts innocent people at risk just to save a few bucks for a truck company’s bottom line.. Brian Lewis has spent his career fighting for people who have been wrongfully injured by someone else’s negligence. This includes truck accidents, car accidents, motorcycle accidents, and more.
If you or a loved one have been injured in a truck accident due to someone else’s negligence, schedule a free consultation today.
