Many people still think that the small spikes on tires are meant to prevent slipping.

Should You Remove Them?

According to Steve Burke, removing these vent spews doesn’t have any practical benefits:

“It doesn’t really matter. Vent spews provide no practical use after production. Many show car owners enjoy shaving or trimming the nibs for aesthetics,” he explains. “There is no practical reason to remove them, but if you choose to do so, avoid using scissors or blades. Simply grabbing and pulling them off by hand is usually quite effective and avoids damaging the tire.”

Another mystery solved.

Visit a dealer to get a new pair of Toyo tires and examine your own vent spews up close.