What does Siping a tyre mean?
Siping, the process of cutting thin slits across the tread to improve the grip on a road surface. This immensely helps during off weather conditions such as snow, ice or wet roads as the traction of normal tyres is less compared to the siped tyres.
Siping helps the tyres from overheating, especially in highways as the number of cuts manages the excess pressure of tyres. It is also to be noted that Siping allows much better braking, a vehicle with siped tyres stops sooner than non-siped tyres.
How Siping is performed?
Siping is usually performed by mechanics using machines which are designed to lift the tyres and rotate them making small perpendicular cuts on the tread.
It is so small that only under a close inspection, the sipes can be seen. The improved driving experience with better control and traction on the road is the boon of this entire process.
Pros of Siping
- Better road grip or traction
- Improved braking
- Smoother ride
- Longer tyre life
- Increased performance
Cons of Siping
- Tyre warranty can be void with such tampering
- Faster wear out
- Degraded handling and less traction on dry roads
- Additional cost
- Increased road noise
Does Siping really work?
Siping works very well in improving the control, traction and offers a smoother ride with better braking to prolong the tyre’s lifespan.
However, many manufacturers do not recommend customers look for aftermarket siping, rather encourage selecting the appropriate tread for the intended use or application.
It does not have any severe implications in-fact it only makes them stronger and durable.
Which type of tyres can be siped?
Tyres meant to be used under snow, ice or wet conditions will benefit more from siping as they help relieve water from tread quickly and prevents heating and pressure to the tyre, providing firm contact to the pavement and thereby improving the traction on the surface.
How much does Tyre Siping cost?
Tyre dealerships typically charge customers more than $15 or INR 1000 to sipe tyres. These services are not provided by tyre manufacturers and only dealers make extra money with these services.
To Sipe or not to Sipe?
The ultimate question is after reading through all the boons of tyre sipes, do we have to really think twice before opting to sipe? This could be very easily answered based on the usage of the tyre.
The difference it brings can be very well felt if driven in conditions that favour sipes such as in winters. They really help produce better control and grip on the surface with snow or water, but in other cases, the result of siping may not be so convincing to the drivers.
Tyre manufacturers create specific tread patterns for specific usage, and Siping alters those patterns. Paying your local aftermarket dealer to cut into a new tyre that has been designed for a specific purpose isn’t a great decision.
It is also said that aftermarket modification like these could void the tread-wear warranty for tyres.
So, what do you think? Do you need such sipes as a solution to ride on winter roads when you already have winter specific tyres available with better tread abilities that are designed to handle such weather conditions?
