thoughts on Siping tires (for fuel economy)

[brucepick]

KrautBurner,

Thanks for posting this thread. Here in New England I wasn't aware of siping being offered as a service.

This may be the only way I can get snow tires for the Elio I plan to buy when they come on the market in 2015. I'm told they will use 135R15 front tires, and snow tire availability in that size is slim to none. Cooper will supply the tires for it. So I probably could get standard all seasons modified to function as snows. Better than nothing.

Thanks!

[elhigh]

^^

Yeah, you have a point there. But what we're trying to do is reduce unnecessary tire movement; siping can only increase it.

And we go into max inflation practice knowing it can affect our traction detrimentally, and drive accordingly.

[Thenorm]

tire flex = heat.
siping tires = more flex (thats how the tread blocks splay out to provide more biting edges)
more flex = higher rolling resistance. (this is why everyone runs high tire pressure, to reduce fuel robbing flex)

from the tirerack website, they offer tire shaving services for race tires to reduce tread squirm and flex improving dry grip and tread life.

"Minimizing tread block squirm also reduces heat buildup and the risk of making the tire go "off" by overheating its tread compound."

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tirete....jsp?techid=67

If you are ever serious about learning about the best in the tire world. best tires, best pressures, shaving, siping, wheel sizing, weights, etc. Learn from Racers. they will do anything to improve their competitive advantage.