Advertisement
E
by treadwear,-traction and teqqerature gwfQrmance. (This applies only
r
to vehicles sold in the United (States.)
Treadweat
.
.
,
. - - ,
. .
r
The treadwear grade is .a comparative rating based on the wear rate
of
the tire when tested .under controlled -conditions on a specified
.government test course. .For example, a tire graded 150 would
wear
one
and a half (I 1/2) times as well on the government course-as a tire graded
'
100. The relative performance of tires depends uponthe .actual
conditions of.their use, however, and may depart significant@
frorri the
norm due to variationsin driving habits, service practices and differences
in rodd characteristics and climate.
. r Daction
-A, B,
C
t
The traction grades, from highest to lowest are: A, B, and C. They
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet-pavement as measured under
controlled conditionson specified government test surfaces
of asphalt
'
and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction p.erformance.
Warning: The traction. grade assigned
to this tire is based on braking
(straight-ahead) traction tests and
doemot include cornering (turning)
r
traction.
r
Temperature -A, B,
C
I
I
The temperature grades. are
A (the. highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat
when tested under controlled conditions.on a specified indoor laboratory
test .wheel. Sustained high tevperature can cause the material of the tire
to degenerate and reduce tire.life, and
excessive temperature can lead to
-
sudden tire failure. The.gradq C corresponds to
a
level of performance
1-
which
a l l passenger car tires mustmeet under the,Federal Motor Vehicle
Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
€3
and A represent higher levels of
performance on thelaboratory test wheel than the.minimum required
e -
bylaw.
Warning: The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that
is. properly inflate.d and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation,
I
r
295
Advertisement
