Winter driving means snow, ice and slick roads. Truck drivers (and passenger car drivers) have a number of options, including buying studded snow tires, throwing tire chains and siping tires.
Tire Siping Improves Driving Traction Up to 200%
Sipes are shallow slits cut into the rubber of the tire at 90 degree angles to the circumference of the tire. According to Discounttire.com, the sipes can only be seen under very close inspection and don’t damage the traction. Repeated tests proved that siping increased starting, stopping and driving traction [on medium snowpack] by as much as 200%! (discounttire.com, 2009)
Les Schwab Tires, a leading tire dealership in the US, recommends siping for increased traction and improved braking. According to their website, strong braking comes not from the smooth surface of the tire, but from the edges. Siping increases the number of edges and blocks of rubber on the tire surface, thereby improving braking (lesschwab.com, 2009)
Goodyear Claims Current Treads Adequate without Sniping
Goodyear Tire's website states, Goodyear’s position on siping is that it may, under certain operating conditions, improve tire performance. However, under the vast majority of truck operating conditions, new tires are designed and produced with tread patterns and tread compounds that do not require tread siping to give satisfactory performance. (goodyear.com, 2009)
While Goodyear admits that much depends on the model and tread of the tire, DiscountTires.com claims significant improvement with siping the Goodyear Eagle LS and even more with the Michelin Pilot Sport. The unsiped Goodyear Eagle LS traction measured 101% of the base tire; the siped Goodyear Eagle LS measured 134% of the traction of the base tire. The unsiped Michelin Pilot Sport read only 35% of the base all-season tires' traction. Siped traction improved by 200% - surpassing the traction of the 'All Season Tire' (discounttire.com. 2009)
Siping Process Patented by John Sipe
The patent for siping was awarded to John Sipe, a slaughterhouse employee who was tired of slipping in the blood and muck of his work. He cut little slits in his shoes, vastly improving his stability on the floor. Sipes received the first patent for the process, but later, Goodyear applied it to tires and received a subsequent patent.
The principle hasn’t changed. Adding small cuts to a smooth rubber surface improves traction which translates into firmer braking, steadier travel and overall improved safety; on a slick floor or snow-packed road. Siping machines are available for purchase, but the molded sipes are larger and don't close in the footprint of the tire.
Many tire manufacturers offer it as a post-production service. Siping is currently offered by major tire dealers for both commercial truck tires and passenger car tires. Drivers may call the tire store of their choice for availability and pricing.
Resources:
Discounttire.com. 2009. Web.
Lesschwab.com. 2009.Web.
Goodyear.com. 2009. Web.
Elizabeth Linehan - Elizabeth studied American Sign Language at Brigham Young University. She has worked with hearing impaired and multipli-handicapped ...
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