SIPING (NON-SKID DESIGN)
All-season and winter tires have a unique tread design called siping (a non-skid
design). Siping is the semi-segmenting of a tread lug, which means that the lug is
cut an additional 50 to 70 percent of its depth. Because of this cut, the tread lug
can open and close as the tire rolls down the road. The opening and closing of
the tread lug creates a pumping action that clears water, slush, mud, and other
materials from under the tire. In addition, tread siping creates a squeegee action,
clearing the road surface as the tire rolls along the road surface.