Where does the rubber go when tires wear down?

Same place as the asbestos from the brake linings?

Into the air and all around the planet I s'pose, same place as the rest of the world's billions of tons of dust.

I've seen this one addressed in a news magazine once. The tire residue actually is on the side of the road with the rest of the dust and dirt, it's just small enough to blend in, so you can't see it.

Some of it actually builds up on the road surface, along with oils and other fluids. Here in California, where it doesn't rain from May until November, when the rains do come, it it slippery as hell. Just a light rain will cause many traffic accidents. November can be a real bitch.

The heck!? I thought rubber was supposed to get good traction.

particulate matter. i think accumulated oil and grease is the main culprit, though.

conundrum! Why do we park on driveways and drive on parkways?

i wonder if the rubber on the roads plays into the black ice?
The dark rubber in the concrete absorbs light so you dont see the reflection of the ice on the road?

The rubber goes the same place as the particulate emissions from your tailpipe, the cigarrette butt you throw out the window, and the spit from the rednecks tobacco.

The rubber scrubs off much like pencil erasers do and it sits along side the road. If you think about it, though its so minimal. The tire starts with about 10/32" of tread and is spent at 2/32". That's 1/4" of tread that gets powdered. Spread that powder over 30,000 miles of road and you won't be able to ever notice it.

If you ever go to a NASCAR race, pick your nose when its done. Your snot will be black with rubber dust.