Ford Escort 1997 Owner's Manual page 149

Traction A B C
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 conditions on
specified government test surfaces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
performance.
The traction grade
assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straightahead)
traction tests and does not
include cornering (turning)
traction.
Temperature A B C
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C; they represent
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.
Excessive temperature can lead to
sudden tire failure. The grade C
corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades A and B
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required
by law.
Maintenance and care
149