Has anyone had the tire "siping" procedure done to their tires? I saw this on discounttire's web...

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Oct 7, 2000 | 01:59 AM

S4elvis

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Has anyone had the tire "siping" procedure done to their tires? I saw this on discounttire's web...

I saw this on www.discounttire.com website, that many tires can have siping cuts made in the tire tread for improved traction in poor weather conditions. Has anyone had this done? If so, what are your thoughts/impressions??

http://www.discounttire.com/tireSiping.html<ul><li><a href="http://www.discounttire.com/tireSiping.html">http://www.discounttire.com/tireSiping.html</a</li></ul>

Oct 7, 2000 | 03:02 AM

RKA

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I've never seen this, but I have to ask...why??

The difference between a high perf. tire and an all season (or snow/winter for that matter) is not just in the tread design. There is also a difference in the tire compound itself. You may do significant damage to the tires dry grip abilities as well, so beware.

Imagine taking a pair of leather soled shoes, and cutting sipes into the bottom like you would see on a pair of deck shoes. Are they going to grip better in foul weather because you cut sipes into them?

Without having seen this process, I would say buy the tire that suites your needs.

Oct 7, 2000 | 05:59 AM

S4elvis

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I'm wondering if an all-season-tire can be made more winter friendly with this process...

I agree that some of the dry road performance could be sacrificed by this process, but until I see some tests, or someone's comparison (with before and after experiences), I will not arrive at a conclusion. Thats why I asked about it in this forum.<ul><li><a href="http://www.discounttire.com/tireSiping.html">http://www.discounttire.com/tireSiping.html</a</li></ul>

Oct 7, 2000 | 11:01 AM

vorsicht

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I was told at discount tire that siping is more of a gimmick . .

and that it really doesn't make an all-season any more winter friendly.

Oct 7, 2000 | 11:14 AM

CraigB

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I agree. I would think that a good winter tire...

...would depend on tire compound, as well as sipes. Also, I'd be afraid that it would weaken the tread to where it would eventually start chunking off.

Oct 7, 2000 | 01:38 PM

Bollinger

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High performance tires are made of a compound that "closes up" when it gets cold. It loses much grip in cold, even without snow present.

Thus, this siping will only let more heat out of the tires, and probably worsen your traction.

Oct 8, 2000 | 09:27 AM

Pelican Pete

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From: Fairfield, CT

I think that was Firestone's experiment with the Wilderness tires !

Except they didn't come off in chunks. They came off in one big chunk!

Regardless, I still buy Bridgestone tires for my car. RE730s now. LM22s on their way.

-- Peter

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Oct 10, 2000 | 09:34 AM

eharleq

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Save it for truck tires...compounding errors

It works best for mud-based truck tires with no sipes. The real deal is factory siping AND a real winter rubber compound (see michelin for REAL siping). It does you no good to cut a thousand slits in a tread if the rubber has no grip.

Oct 10, 2000 | 10:49 AM

#10

Eddie@Tirerack

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Not recommended...

I have a document I can fax to any interested party that explains in great detail, but in a nutshell:

Siping has not shown any true significant proven benefit to its handling, and the tradeoff (there is ALWAYS a tradeoff) is that cutting treadblocks diminishes block stability (handling for dry), and can also accelerate wear due to the extra 'wiggles' of a less stable treadblock... kinda like driving on a winter tire.. now imagine doing that to a summer or an all season tire & you see what I mean.

Eddie