Stiping Tires?

[jefboyardee]

When I was getting my previous car’s tires rotated, there was a brochure about the benefits of stiping tires. I had no idea what it meant either. I’ll explain as best as I can...

Every quarter inch or so, they make shallow, crosswise razor cuts through the thick portions of the tread. This, the brochure says, allows the tire to expand at those cuts, which supposedly results in better traction, less noise, cooler running. It went on to say that the process was labor intensive, otherwise tire manufacturers would do it themselves.

It seemed both reasonable and fishy, but they (Discount Tire) insisted that it was a wonderful thing. My tires were too old to be “eligible,” so I put the brochure back. But now I have a new Elantra with new tires and wonder if I should think about it... anyone have any tire stiping experience to share?

[twospirits]

Hmmm, never heard the term before. I did a search on it and nothing comes up. There is nothing about it on their website either.
Maybe one of the other members have heard the term.

In my personnal opinion why would a retailer chain do this type of procedure (if its so beneficial) and not the actual tire manufacturer.

TS out

[goinbig]

Yes. It is a very, very common thing. It helps the tires to last much longer, and to have much better traction in all conditions.

By the way, it is called "siping". That's probably why you came up with nothing in your search.

[twospirits]

Thanks for the correct spelling. One learns something new every day.

TS out

[jefboyardee]

Originally Posted by goinbig

By the way, it is called "siping". That's probably why you came up with nothing in your search.

Duh. Thanks. That gets a lot of hits, like:

www.lesschwab.com/Siping.html

WHY SHOULD I SIPE MY TIRES

INCREASED TIRE TRACTION

Siping improves your traction on wet and icy roads.

LONGER TIRE LIFE

Siping allows a decrease in heat build up in many cases extending tire life.

SOFTER RIDE

Siping can enhance your tires shock absorbing features.

SOUNDS GREAT, BUT WHY DON'T MY TIRES COME SIPED FROM THE
MANUFACTURER: IT'S SIMPLE, COST AND TIME

To sipe in mass production after the molding process would just be too expensive and time consuming for the manufacturer.

[jefboyardee]

And:

www.komotv.com/news/printstory.asp?id=33607

Ever Hear Of Tire Siping? October 21, 2004 By Brian Calvert

SEATTLE - Siping has been a staple in the trucking industry for quite some time, helping truckers get more miles out of their tires. These days the same technique is being used on passenger cars with great results.

"What wears the tires out is where they come in contact with the ground," says Gary Peterson, manager of the Ballard Les Schwab store. That contact causes heat, or friction. "So if we can cool this down, we add life on the end of the tire," says Peterson.

Siping can do just that. It helps cool down your tires, making them last longer. The process adds tiny slices into the tire's treads. Those slices keep things cooler, and in the process, can dramatically add to your traction.

"When it's wet, after getting them siped, it makes a huge difference," says Aaron, who had his performance tires siped. "My slippage decreased at least 45 to 50 percent," says Allen, who had the tires on his Honda siped.

The best part is siping can be done on your current tires, and could extend the life considerably. Case in point, I took my car in thinking I needed new tires. Bob, my technician said keep the tires, just get them siped. For about $13 a tire, I'll likely get another winter out of them.

Tire siping is not an industry-wide practice. At least one other company says the process may void your tire warranty, so keep that in mind. On the other hand, a handful of manufacturers sell tires that are siped at the factory.