August 04, 2009 18:07 PM

Do Not Confuse Retreaded Tyres With Regrooved - Suret

PUTRAJAYA, Aug 4 (Bernama) -- Vehicle owners should not confuse retreaded tyres with regrooved tyres, following the government ruling to issue summonses to those using regrooved tyres, beginning November.

Road Safety Department (RSD) director-general Datuk Suret Singh said regrooved tyres did not meet safety standards as they were made from bald tyres which were illegally regrooved by 'backyard' industries.

On the other hand, he said, retreaded tyres were produced legally through a new manufacturing process recognised by the Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia (SIRIM).

"Based on regular use, new tyres will be worn out within three to four years and they can be retreaded twice by the industry.

"Retreaded tyre manufacturers will run a check on these tyres and pick only the safe ones to be retreaded. They will process the tyres by increasing the compound or new layers before retreading them.

"Those unsuitable for retreading, however, will be disposed for recycling," he told Bernama.

Suret said the retreaded tyre industry in the country was recognised worldwide and countries like New Zealand, Australia and Taiwan had also imported Malaysian-made retreaded tyres.

However, he refuted allegations that the high demand for retreaded tyres among users, was because they were much cheaper than new tyres.

"Retreaded tyres are not as thick as new tyres, so they can only be used up to a few months because the tread pattern wears off quite easily.

"So, between a RM50 retreaded tyre which could last only a few months and buying a new tyre at RM95 which could last up to three to four years, which would be more cost effective?," he asked.

Suret said the four main players in the country's tyre industry -- Malaysian Association of Tyre Retreaders and Dealers Society, Tyre Retreading Manufacturers Association of Malaysia, Association of Tyre Importers and FMM Malaysian Automotive Tyre Manufacturers Industry Group -- had agreed to stop the use of regrooved tyres.

"Stern action will be taken against errant dealers and the tyres will be seized," he said.

Beginning Nov 1, only tyres marked with Sirim's logo 'MS', the American Department of Transportation's 'DOT' or the European Community Standard's 'E' are allowed to be used, while car owners using other tyres, including the regrooved ones, would be fined up to RM300.

-- BERNAMA

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