When I was a little guy, I thought that the design of the tire treads was just an element of tire aesthetics. It wasn't until I turned 16 that my father explained to me that, in fact, these are not accidental and that the manufacturers create them to add more performance to the car. From that moment, I started to study the subject much more deeply. Even today it fascinates me to listen to the manufacturers when they explain what is the essence of a certain tire design.
In the production process, the manufacturers have in mind the ability to remove water and small barriers from the road, ventilate the tire during rolling, as well as to provide the best grip possible. All this is obtained with the help of various methods of designing tire treads.
You may have heard tire dealers mention rubber siping when trying to close a sale. Well, this siping is just one of these tire design methods. This procedure is extremely popular and sought after. But not all drivers and car enthusiasts know what are its specificity and essence. If you are one of them, don't worry because we will immediately solve this confusion.
Tire Siping: What Does That Mean?
Tire siping is an umbrella term referring to the small slits and narrow grooves that manufacturers add to tread lugs. Their purpose is to improve tire traction, especially in winter tires. It would seem that tire siping has no way to play an essential role through its small slits. But, you are very wrong.
If we look carefully at the structure of a tire, we can identify a flat rubber on which some bumps from the body of the tire arise. These lifts are nothing but tread lugs. When the vehicle is rolling on the road, the tread lugs are actually those that come into contact with the road, and not the rubber itself.
Sipes are specifically found in the structure of these lugs, looking like small channels between them. The lugs can be with or without additional sipes, depending on the quality of the tire and the manufacturer's decision to integrate them or not. Also, they do not depend on the type of tire, being specific both for winter and snow tires, as well as for summer tires.
The Advantages of Tire Sipes
As I told you earlier, it is wrong to think that these small sipes are not a big deal for the performance of the tire. According to manufacturers and specialists in the field, there are at least 4 benefits provided by them:
- improve the tire traction;
-optimize the formation of tire wear, prolonging their life;
- heat build-up resistance;
- improve overall vehicle performance.
Thus, your vehicle is more prone to harsher conditions. In the same context, you will benefit from an optimized braking ability while reducing braking distance. Drivers with such tires report a safer grip and improved control of the vehicle, including against hydroplaning.
Another beneficial impact of tire sipes is the ventilation property they provide. It is a well-known fact that the friction between the road and the tire generates additional heat. In this context, the small channels in the tire lug structure contribute to a continuous ventilation process, offering a certain degree of cooling to the tire. This property is much more welcome when drivers hit a long road and the tires are subject to overheating.
Try to imagine what happens with a tire at a microscopic level. In the absence of sipes, the tire performs an additional effort to press the moisture out of the road. In the context of sipes, these just absorb moisture in their structure, easing the rolling process and improving road grip. The structure of these sipes is usually made in such a way that they throw moisture away as the tire rolls forward. Thus, the impact of humidity, snow, and other obstacles on the traction is considerably reduced.
What About Sipe Cons?
Nothing is ideal and everything has its negative side. But the good news is that tire sipes have only two disadvantages, as far as I know. This refers to high-heat conditions, in which the tires lose their surface grip due to the presence of sipes. Not that the impact is dramatic, but it still exists.
Another not very advantageous aspect is that they can make the tire block more fragile. The deeper the sipes are cut, the more flexible and malleable the tread lugs are. Consequently, the tire is prone to wear much faster than you expect. I know that maybe you want sipes as deep as possible to remove moisture and dirt as effectively as possible. However, I still recommend opting for relatively shallow sipes.
How Can We Maintain The Optimal Condition of Tire Sipes?
Taking into account that tire sipes come into direct contact with the road, they are prone to getting bald over time. However, some recommendations could help you in keeping them in optimal condition.
First of all, it's always a great idea to have 2 sets of tires. This approach helps you keep the tires in optimal condition to provide better performance.
It would be good to analyze the conditions in which you usually drive. Maybe it is not necessary to have siped tires when the weather conditions are hot and dry. In these circumstances, you could opt for regular tires, and not to wear the siped ones unreasonably. Once the weather turns to a wet or dirty period due to snow and rain, you return to siped tires for a better driving experience.