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Temperature
A, B, C
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
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance, which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109 and No. 139.
Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law.
Warning: The temperature grade for
this tire is established for a tire that
is properly inflated and not over-
loaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles), Tire Labeling
separately or in combination, can
cause heat buildup and possible tire
failure.
Tire Labeling
The tires that came on your vehicle
have a number of markings. Those
you should be aware of are described
below.
Tire Size
Whenever tires are replaced, they
should be replaced with tires of the
same size. Following is an example
of tire size with an explanation of
what each component means.
P235/45R17 93W
P
Vehicle type (P indicates
passenger vehicle).
235
Tire width in millimeters.
45
Aspect ratio (the tire's section
height as a percentage of its
width).
Tire construction code (R
R
indicates radial).
Rim diameter in inches.
17
93
Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry).
Speed symbol (an
W
alphabetical code indicating
the maximum speed rating).
Tire Identification Number
Tire Identification Number (TIN) is
a group of numbers and letters that
look like the following example TIN.
DOT OBGN PVC 2202
DOT
This indicates that the tire
meets all requirements of
the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
OBGN
Manufacturer's
identification mark.
PVC
Tire type code.
2202
Date of manufacture.
Technical Information
259
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