Got my stock BFGs siped
12-10-2008, 06:55 AM
#21
JK Junkie
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12-10-2008, 07:23 AM
#22
Just because it wasnt quite covered completley here is the down low on siping.
Siping is the proces of placing small evenly placed cuts accross the tread surface of the tire around the full curcumfrence. Siping serves several purposes depending who you talk to, but the basics are as follows.
1. Siping provides more biting edges to increase traction on slick or smooth surfaces.
2. Siping the tires allows the tread blocks to flex more reducing heat and road noise.
3. Siping the tires allows the tire to last longer by allowing all tread surfaces to make even contact (or more so than stock) with the road surface.
Some things to remeber are this.
Siping should be done only be someone who is trained with the proper tools.
Using the old razor blade method can lead to premature failure of the tire.
Cutting to deep, beyond the tread layer, can cause premature failure of the tire.
Placing sipes (cuts) to close together can lead to premature failure of the tire.
Siping a tire may void the manufactueres warranty (i.e. Supper Swamper).
It has been my experience, (yes my experience and opinion only) that siping done properly will help a tire to last 10-15% longer and prvide a better driving experience.
EDIT: Typo
Siping is the proces of placing small evenly placed cuts accross the tread surface of the tire around the full curcumfrence. Siping serves several purposes depending who you talk to, but the basics are as follows.
1. Siping provides more biting edges to increase traction on slick or smooth surfaces.
2. Siping the tires allows the tread blocks to flex more reducing heat and road noise.
3. Siping the tires allows the tire to last longer by allowing all tread surfaces to make even contact (or more so than stock) with the road surface.
Some things to remeber are this.
Siping should be done only be someone who is trained with the proper tools.
Using the old razor blade method can lead to premature failure of the tire.
Cutting to deep, beyond the tread layer, can cause premature failure of the tire.
Placing sipes (cuts) to close together can lead to premature failure of the tire.
Siping a tire may void the manufactueres warranty (i.e. Supper Swamper).
It has been my experience, (yes my experience and opinion only) that siping done properly will help a tire to last 10-15% longer and prvide a better driving experience.
EDIT: Typo
12-10-2008, 07:38 AM
#23
JK Super Freak
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One other thing to know about siping. The reason that it works well on ice is that when you're on ice, the pressure that you exert on it causes a miniscule layer of water to form. This layer of water is what makes it so slippery. All of those tiny grooves caused by siping give that water somewhere to go, and thus provide better grip on ice.
I live about 200 miles south of the OP, and I've got my stock MT's siped as well. I've been driving around in 6 inches of snow for the past three days, and they're working quite well. At least as well as a good AT like a BFG A/T K/O or Toyo M55.
I live about 200 miles south of the OP, and I've got my stock MT's siped as well. I've been driving around in 6 inches of snow for the past three days, and they're working quite well. At least as well as a good AT like a BFG A/T K/O or Toyo M55.
12-10-2008, 07:48 AM
#24
12-10-2008, 07:50 AM
#25
JK Super Freak
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I can't tell you if the improvement is 100% because I had mine siped before the first snow flew this year...but from what I was told about their winter on-road performance, it's a huge difference.
12-10-2008, 09:36 AM
#28
JK Enthusiast
So if I am reading this correctly.
Sipping makes the tires last longer, less noisy, and better traction.
Why aren't all tires siped?
Is it as effective on All Terrain as it is on Mud Terrain? or does it matter?
Sipping makes the tires last longer, less noisy, and better traction.
Why aren't all tires siped?
Is it as effective on All Terrain as it is on Mud Terrain? or does it matter?
12-10-2008, 09:45 AM
#29
Its actually quite simple. First most all season car tires are siped, those little groves in the tread blocks are sipes. The bottom line of why all tires arent siped comes down to two things, non-siped tires are easier to make, and manufacturers want their tires to wear down so you buy new ones. It is quite within modern technology to make a tire that performs fairly decently and will last the life of the vehicle, but if you did that you wouldnt sell many tires would you???????
12-10-2008, 10:08 AM
#30
JK Enthusiast
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I'm not convinced that siping will increase tire life...
On one hand I can see it reducing heat... but on another hand I could see it increasing heat:
Each lug is now flexing a lot more than it was before (possibly increasing heat within the rubber), and because of the increased number of edges, it's "gripping" the road more, which should also result in more heat.
I haven't thought about it too much, but I would think it'd decrease life.
Anyway, a question that I'm more interested in finding the answer to: What works better on ice: high tire pressure or low pressure?
On one hand I can see it reducing heat... but on another hand I could see it increasing heat:
Each lug is now flexing a lot more than it was before (possibly increasing heat within the rubber), and because of the increased number of edges, it's "gripping" the road more, which should also result in more heat.
I haven't thought about it too much, but I would think it'd decrease life.
Anyway, a question that I'm more interested in finding the answer to: What works better on ice: high tire pressure or low pressure?