Saf-Tee® siping cuts slits, called sipes, at 90° angles across the tread, providing thousands of gripping edges for better traction and stopping power. Wear-robbing heat and hydroplaning are also minimized.

Check out the information below to find out how you can improve your traction in poor weather driving environments. Improved Braking
Research has shown that the most effective braking power occurs immediately prior to losing traction. Siping extends the window allowed for maximum braking power by giving the existing tread a helping hand. In the examples below notice how the siped tire has dozens more gripping edges. These micro edges reduce the distance needed for braking on wet and icy roads. Better Traction
The tread surface on your tire is made up of many smaller surfaces know as “Tread Blocks”. The reason for so many surfaces is especially important when it comes to icy or wet road conditions. The Tread Blocks get their gripping power not from their many smooth surfaces but from the more numerous sharp surrounding edges. Siping improves the job started by your tire manufacturer by providing more of these gripping edges. Smoother Ride
New asphalt is relatively smooth but time and wear exaggerates the coarse texture of the road's surface causing your tires to absorb most of the impact. Siping gives your tires a Micro-Flexibility reducing the wear on your tires' carcass and sidewalls. This effect not only increases tire life but will result in a smoother ride. Scientific Tests Confirm It
Improved traction up to 200%! An independent company tested the siping effect on starting, stopping and driving traction while driving on medium snow pack.

Repeated tests proved that siping increased starting, stopping and driving traction by as much as 200%!

The Goodyear Eagle LS (all season tire), and the Michelin Pilot Sport (high performance tire), were chosen for testing. The traction of the industry-standard all-season tire (the Uniroyal Tiger Paw) was also measured to set a base amount for comparison.

The unsiped Goodyear Eagle LS traction measured 101% of the base tire; the siped Goodyear Eagle LS measured 134% of the traction of the base tire.

The unsiped Michelin Pilot Sport read only 35% of the base all-season tires' traction. Siped traction improved by 200% - surpassing the traction of the 'All Season Tire'.

For complete technical data regarding these tests, please visit http://www.sipers.com/sipers/siping_tests.asp. How is Siping Done?
Siping is done by placing your tires (new or used) on a specially designed machine that rotates your tires while making small virtually invisible 90 degree cuts in your tread. Don't be alarmed! Although the process is actually cutting your tread, it doesn't harm your tire in any way, it improves on it. Only under very close inspection can the sipes even be seen, and you're more likely to tell by your improved driving experience than by visual inspection. Will Siping Adversely Affect My Tires Performance?
Siping will not adversely affect your tires performance in any way. The tread on your tires retains all of its strength due to the patented spiral cutting process. This process leaves uncut areas known as Tie Bars - keeping your tread strong. Why Don't My Tires Come Siped From the Manufacturer?
Our siping process doesn't remove ANY rubber from the tread allowing the individual sipes to support each other. A molded sipe leaves vacant gaps in the tread. Siping creates edges without gaps. To sipe (in mass production) after the molding process would be too expensive and time consuming for the manufacturer. Where Can I Get My Tires Siped?
Many of the Discount Tire/America's Tire stores provide siping services. Contact a store near you to find the closest authorized siping center.