Cost to Regroove Tires

Last Updated on December 27, 2023
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

Tire regrooving has been developed as a service intended to improve vehicle mileage, along with its traction and fuel efficiency. Among the people that choose to regroove their tires as a way of cutting down costs are farmers, construction workers, and even truck drivers. This basically postpones the need for new tires, maximizing the use of the old ones.

This is a process that will restore the tread depth and improve the friction of the tire by carving its grooves. This is done by most mechanics by using either a regrooving machine or a handheld tool. Tire regrooving is considered a resurging process used due to the increase in tire manufacturing and fuel costs. There are some real-life risks associated with tire regrooving.

How Much Does It Cost To Regroove A Tire?

The cost of regrooving a tire will depend on the size of the tire, the professional you’re employing, as well as your geographical area. Most of the time, you will pay anywhere between $30 and $70 to regroove a single tire. This means that a set of 4 tires will cost anywhere between $120 and $280 to have regrooved.

According to TheIronFactory, a professional will usually charge around $30 per tire to regroove your car’s tires.

A member of the FreightRelocators forum said that he charges $45 to regroove a tire, although he runs ads on Craigslist with discounts for bulk orders. The same user argued that this price is very competitive, considering that only a handful of businesses offered similar prices, NebraskaTire being one of them, with prices of around $50 per tire.

How Many Times Can You Regroove A Truck Tire?

Before considering a regrooving of your tires, you should talk with the manufacturer or check the sidewall of the tire yourself to make sure that it is still regroovable safely.

You might also like our articles on the cost of tires, snow tires, and tire rotation.

The law permits regrooving as many times as the owner wants, as long as the thickness of the tires doesn’t go below 3/32 inches.

Why is tire regrooving dangerous sometimes?

Although popular among professional drivers, tire regrooving is still a very controversial topic. A tire that has been regrooved will be more prone to skidding, tread separation, blowouts, and punctures. A truck that has regrooved tires can not only endanger the driver, but also everyone else on the road.

This is due to the steel breakers possibly getting exposed. During this process the tool used for regrooving might cut too deep into the tire and go through the rubber, even reaching the steel breaker. A steel breaker with water around it can rust or cause tread separation, which will create a risk for groove cracking on the tire, or even intrusion of hard objects like rocks when the tire gets in contact with the road.

Tire Regrooving FAQs

Can regrooving weaken a tire?

A tire is weakened when rubber is cut out of the grooves. This is why it isn’t always easy to make sure the tire is strong enough to withstand a thorough regrooving.

What are the risks of a regrooved tire?

A regrooved tire can give out and explode while the car is on the road. If the tire blows up while on the highway, it is very likely that the driver will lose control of the vehicle and spiral out of control.

Why would you risk going on the road with regrooved tires?

You regroove or retread a tire to save money. It is cheaper than purchasing a new tire.

Regrooved Tires Sold as New Tires

A common issue when buying tires is people selling regrooved tires as new ones online. Online marketplaces like Craigslist are full of scammers trying to pass regrooved tires as new ones. Buying these types of tires by mistake will put you, as well as everyone else on road in danger. Try to only buy tires, regardless of whether they are new or used, from licensed, or at least trusted individuals. It is always better to buy tires in person so you know what you are getting, even when getting them from someone you trust.

Is there any way to spend less?

If you have any experience regrooving tires, then you can always go for a tool like a regrooving iron. Although such a tool will only cost $100 to $600, it is always a better idea to let a certified mechanic perform this task, as it is difficult, and messing something up can put your life in danger.

Although regrooving your own tires will be cheaper than having a professional do this for you and a lot cheaper than buying new ones, tires that are poorly regrooved will be a lot riskier than those that are regrooved by a professional.

When looking for tire regrooving services, always find and compare the services of two or more professionals, to make sure you’re getting a fair price. Never go for the cheapest alternative, to ensure that you’re getting decent services for your money.

If you don’t know where to find a professional regroover, try online marketplaces like Craigslist, but remember the example we laid out above and make sure you do your due diligence to ensure that you’re getting professional services.

Conclusion

Regrooving your tires will be cheaper than buying new ones but remember that doing this will increase the likelihood that one of your tires will malfunction while you are on the road. Also, keep in mind that regrooved tires will usually be closer to their tread life, another aspect that makes them unsafe.