Regroovable on Drive Tires

[MambaJack]

My front tires look different than the rear, but I noticed this weekend that the fronts have the word regroovable on them, does that mean they are retreads?

[PNW_Steve]

Regroovable tire" means a tire, either original tread or retread, designed and constructed with sufficient tread material to permit renewal of the tread pattern or the generation of a new tread pattern.

[o1marc]

I don't believe it is legal to run recaps on the steer tires, only on the drive tires are they allowed.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by o1marc

I don't believe it is legal to run recaps on the steer tires, only on the drive tires are they allowed.

That is generally true.

"Regroovable" can be either a virgin tire or a recap. If running on the steers it must be a virgin tire. Running on drives or trailer they can be either recap or virgin.

The "regroovable" refers to the thickness of the tread rubber. They are thick enough to cut new tread when they wear instead of replacing or recapping.

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by PNW_Steve

That is generally true.

"Regroovable" can be either a virgin tire or a recap. If running on the steers it must be a virgin tire. Running on drives or trailer they can be either recap or virgin.

The "regroovable" refers to the thickness of the tread rubber. They are thick enough to cut new tread when they wear instead of replacing or recapping.

My post had nothing to do with regroovable tires.

[MambaJack]

How can you tell if the tread has been replaced?

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by MambaJack

How can you tell if the tread has been replaced?

Retreads are required to show the DOTR and names the retreader and when the retread was done.

[peteg59]

So are regroove~ables allowed as "steer" tires after they've been "regrooved"???

[o1marc]

Originally Posted by peteg59

So are regroove~ables allowed as "steer" tires after they've been "regrooved"???

State of Calif. :
(b) Regrooved Tires. Regrooved tires shall not be used on school buses or any vehicle other than a commercial vehicle. Such tires used on commercial vehicles shall be of a type manufactured and designed for regrooving. Regrooved tires, regardless of size, shall not be used on the front wheels of buses, and regrooved tires which have a load carrying capacity equal to or greater than that of 8.25-20 8 ply-rating tires shall not be used on the front wheels of any other motor vehicle listed in Vehicle Code Section 34500.

N.H. prohibits regroovable tires on passenger vehicles less than 8K lbs.