4Runna

Anyone here that lives in AZ, NV, NM or any hot/arid climate sipe their tires? Does it offer any advantages in our climate?

Not too much snow here in Las Vegas in the wintertime...

X-AWDriver

No and driving on alot of dry roads including dirt might tear at the sipes. IMO it would be a waste in Vegas.

Albuquerque Jim

It actually helps a lot. It keeps the tires cooler which extends tread life. It also works well if you wheel in the rocks.

4Runna

I would also think that dry hot roads would quickly deteriorate siped tires. But AJ, if you're having good results I might take a look at it.

Actually, I'm waiting until these tires wear out so I can put some Goodyear or BFG M/T tires on...

KZN185W

iTrader: (1)

Pardon my ignorance, but what is siping and how is it done?

Thanks a lot!

99_Runner

Siping is basically where they cut lines into the tire. It gives your more biting edges and is supposed to help with snow and ice traction mainly.

Unhappy99

Buy a good tire to begin with.

4Runna

I have Bridgestone Dueler A/T Revos aka the Yotatech standard issue tires...

Albuquerque Jim

IMO, the Revo has enough siping to begin with. I don't see it helping much.

Additional siping is mostly beneficial with an agressive MT or a Swamper because they do not come with any type of siping, just large lugs.

Siping Article

deathrunner

I had a chance to watch Goodyear, Toyo, and BFG siping tires at the CORR event held down here. It was fascinating, but looks like a chimp with a hot knife could do it. It seems like siping the right pattern just comes from trying it enough times. If only I had that much money to blow on tires

They have basically a really hot 1/4"-1/2" wide blade that they set the depth on and just gouge sections of the lugs out. It took them abou 10-15 minutes per tire and they had 4-6 guys doing it at each booth. There were enough rubber chunks laying around that I thought about collecting them and retreading my AT's when they wear down

Pretty interesting and I'm sure beneficial, but definitely moreso on aggresively treaded tires.

4Crawler

iTrader: (3)

I sipe all my MT tires, no need for any special tools outside a utility knife:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...reSiping.shtml

I find it helps traction on rocks, on wet pavement and of course on snow and ice. As mentioned, siping helps the tread run cooler and is supposed to make it last longer. If done right (keep siping away from the ends of the tread lugs), no problems with chunking or unusual wear.