Tire Siping

Siping is a process that involves adding thin 90-degree slits to a tire’s tread with a specialized machine, increasing the number of gripping edges that make contact with the road surface. While tire makers often include sipes on their tires, adding sipes can improve snow traction¹.

Siping can make a difference. Comprehensive testing and analysis reveal that tire siping improves snow traction by 20%+¹ on average, with little to no impact on all other tire performances.

No. Tire siping does not impact the Les Schwab Tire Warranty. However, tire siping is not always recommended for tires that travel on gravel or dirt roads regularly. It is also not always advisable for summer, winter, all-weather, ultra-high performance, EV-specific, and ST-trailer tires. The professionals at Les Schwab will help you determine the right application for siping and when it may not be recommended.

Tire manufacturers often add just enough sipes to their tires for specific needs and weather conditions, with maximum siping generally found on tires that are designed for winter-specific driving, or all-weather tires that are designed to handle winter roads with ease.

Siping may not be appropriate for all vehicles, terrain, weather and driving conditions. While siping can impact wet and dry handling as well as wet braking on some tires, that impact is insignificant when compared to the advantages for snow traction².

Yes, if you face the occasional snow storm, siping may be right for you. Siping a new set of tires can help achieve better snow traction. The professionals at Les Schwab can help you decide if siping your new tires is right for where and what you drive.

The actual job of siping a set of four tires can add about 15 minutes to your overall Les Schwab service.

See your local store for costs and other details.

If you live in a moderate climate or if you plan to drive into a snowy region a handful of times per season, adding sipes to a set of all-season tires, highway terrain and highway all-season tires, rugged-terrain tires, mud-terrain tires, and all-terrain tires, may be a good idea. Those who live in areas that see a lot of snow should consider a dedicated set of winter tires.