Difference in Michelin Tires XZA3 vs XZE

67Cutlass wrote:
What is 'siping'?

Great Question! Siping invented by John Sipe, is a thin slit across a rubber surface to improve traction in wet, snowy or icy road conditions. And siping also reduces rolling resistance on a tire. Bridgestone and Michelin sell tires that are siped from the factory and a outfit called Saf-Tee Siping & Grooving and Les Schwab Tire have machines that will sipe tires but you should check your warrantee on your tires before siping to see if it voids your tire warrantee! The U.S. National Safety Council did tests that siping reduces wear on your tire carcass and on the sidewalls and siping with wide straight grooves have a low noise level. They also claim that siping improves stopping distances by 22%! There's also Microsiping that reduces tire friction heat according to Les Schwab Tire. If you ever seen the tire tread on a Michelin XZE Tire the siping really stands out. 67 Cutlass to really simplify siping imagine having a pair of sandals that are bare on the underside and your walking or running in these sandals in water you stand a good chance of slipping! Then take those same sandals and sipe then (put grooves in the bottom of the sandals) you will have better traction (less slippage). 67 Cutlass is also a great car! Take Care, Rooster