Where does all the rubber go? (Longtime passing...)?

Question

Nope, not going to sing.  But consider this: There are literally millions of cars and trucks on the 5.7 million miles of paved roads in the U.S.

Each tire on each car wears down as more miles are driven.  Tires last anywhere from 20,000 to 60,000 miles depending on how much you pay for them.  What wears off the tires is, of course, the rubber.  But other than skid marks here and there, we don't see piles of rubber dust along our roads, do we?

So, this begs the question: Where does all the rubber go?

C'mon, do a little brainwork and give me an answer.  If I like it, I'll give you 10 points and a gold star for your forehead.  :o)

Road miles source: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_many_miles_of_paved_roads_are_there_in_the_US

korgrue · Accepted Answer

Everywhere. Air, Drains, Lungs, Dirt, etc.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2661/when-the-rubber-meets-the-road-where-does-it-go

sooty63_au · Answer

like korgrue said, everywhere... you do see rubber build up on racetracks where there isn't the airflow that the roads get, on your oval tracks you'll see it along the fence line on the high side of the track, generally a few inches down from where the fence meets the track, you don't get this effect on the open road as there are too many other things happening on them like wind, rain, other traffic, etc. etc. etc. as for the gold star you can keep it, but thanks anyway.

Anonymous · Answer

well extremely small amounts are coming off at any one time, so i would guess that it either just mixes with the dirt, or becomes one of the many things that are floating around in our atmosphere

jetton · Answer

hi Ducky, I chuckle out loud with this one.. I could also image how they make condoms... Hahahahahaha.. Very very humorous My pal.. remember the Latex.. Hehehehe.. You deserve a huge fat star for this one Ducky.. Lol a pal, poppy1

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Where does all the rubber go? (Longtime passing...)?

4 Answers