Tire siping said to provide extra traction, longer tire life

It’s becoming somewhat of a lost art at local tire stores but a few remain that can sipe a tire for you.

One of the shops where the service is available is Tire King on South Nevada Avenue. Manager Jacob Rixon said the process of siping involves using a machine-operated blade to cut into a tire tread.

“It actually helps dissipate heat, which makes the tires last a little bit longer,” he said. “And it improves gripping on ice and snow.”

Rixon said the process costs about $10 per tire but that most tire manufacturers now include siping in tire molds before they’re shipped for sale.

“But even siping a brand new tire will help it even more,” he said.

KRDO Newschannel 13 found that many tire shops don’t offer the service or have it done by another business.

Rixon said siping works better with newer tires.

“A tire should at least have 75 percent of its tread,” he said. “Not less than that.”

Enough people are familiar with siping that Tire King has a steady demand for it.

“I do sell quite a few,” Rixon said. “And I’ve been siping my own tires for years.”