Siping OEM tires

[Rey]

This is not THE answer to complaints about the OEM Dunlops, but to report what I have done to enhance performance with these tires. I had them "siped" by local Les Schwab tire dealer for $15/tire. Siping has been around for a long time. Check Wikipedia on "tire siping" for a fairly objective article. Some people claim siped tires degrade dry performance and tire life. Les Schwab claims the opposite.

Last October I found myself in Wyoming on very slippery ice conditions. It was so slippery that at one point I could have hand pushed my car sideways. I had siped tires (not Dunlops) and they seemed to grip ice much better than I had expected.

This is not to say siped tires are in any way a substitute for true winter tires, which themselves are extensively siped. If I had to have just one set of tires, I would choose to install a good winter tire and drive it year around. I would put up with shorter thread life. Winter tires are great in rain. A friend of mine is an SCCA instructor and professional driver. He uses his street car as a track demonstrator with Dunlop Winter Sportmax tires, which he keeps year around. He says they perform remarkedly well on the track, not quite as good as summer tires, but good enough.

 

[Matt Z]

What in the world is siping ???

 

[dataguy]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siping_(rubber)

My personal opinion is that the money is better saved toward buying a set of winter or true all-season tires, but that's just my feeling.

 

[ctrcbob]

I did not know that they still sipe tires. I got a set done waaaaaaay back in (don't want to tell you how many years ago it was) in Norfolk/Portsmouth Virginea. They mounted the tire/wheel on a machine, and a blade cut across the tread every 8th inch or so. Because it was so long ago, I don't remember if I liked it or not, but I only got it done that once.

BTW, for only $15. a tire, you can't go wrong.