Wanting to get tires siped - bear with me

[Klutch9]

No, I don't typically buy into add-ons that shops advertise. But I had a thought that tire siping might be a good idea. My van's tires all have 4 or 5/32" of tread left, with the exception being one Falken tire put on 2 months ago that is brand new. All tires will be replaced before next winter anyhow, with some all-season Nokians, or another quality name brand tire. I know generally people think that aftermarket siping is a scam, but I want to hear comments from people who have actually had it done, and their impressions. It will only cost me $50 and an hour and a half of my time, also.

 

[Zaedock]

Tire siping is a great way to add a bit of traction on slippery rocks out on the trail. I have a heated tire groover and siping iron. The groover was cheap, but the heated sipe was a couple of hundred bucks, IIRC.


If it's only $50 and you have the time, I think it's worth it. Report back and let us know how well it worked!

 

[Rand]

is that bear a daily passenger?

I'd pass too much hassle. put the $$$ towards new tires

IMO if they had 4/32 at the beginning of winter I'd be replacing now. If they had 4/32 at end of winter... right before next winter.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Aftermarket siping is definitely not a scam. Not sure if I'd rely *only* on that to provide winter traction.

The sipes will definitely help with the rain, etc that you will get in the summer.

I siped a set of tires on the Jeep with a knife. Was easy enough.

 

[nitehawk55]

Waste of money . As said put toward new tires .

Aftermarket siping may weaken the structure of your tires by altering the original construction .

 

[Chris142]

I looked into having this done to my tires. Seems that nobody does this around here any more.atleast nobody with
In 200 miles.

 

[Klutch9]

FWIW, this set of tires still does okay in the snow. The siping would not be done with the idea of making a fantastic winter tire out of something that needs to be replaced. Rather, I'd sipe them with the idea of getting a little extra bite out of the tires. Not expecting a miracle. If improving them slightly is a reality, then $50 is well worth it IMO.

 

[mrsilv04]

My experience is that it made the tires really noisy... and it was something that the previous owner had done.

I ended up replacing the tires to get rid of the noise. This was on a 2007 Town and Country.