Kia Niro Hybrid Owner's Manual page 532

Maintenance
WARNING
n Tire age
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used.
Regardless of the remaining tread,
we recommend that tires be re‐
placed after approximately six (6)
years of normal service. Heat caused
by hot climates or frequent high
loading conditions can accelerate the
aging process. Failure to follow this
warning can result in sudden tire
failure, which could lead to a loss of
control and an accident involving se‐
rious injury or death.
4. Tire ply composition and material
The number oý layers or plies oý rub‐
ber- coated ýabric in the tire. Tire man‐
uýacturers also must indicate the ma‐
terials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others. The letter
"R" means radial ply construction; the
letter "D" means diaþonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter "B" means
belted-bias ply construction.
9-52
5. Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
This number is the þreatest amount oý
air pressure that should be put in the
tire. Do not exceed the maximum per‐
missible inýlation pressure. Reýer to the
Tire and Loadinþ Inýormation label ýor
recommended inýlation pressure.
6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kiloþrams and pounds that can
be carried by the tire. When replacinþ
the tires on the vehicle, always use a
tire that has the same load ratinþ as
the ýactory installed tire.
7. Uniform tire quality grading
Quality þrades can be ýound where ap‐
plicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
The tread wear þrade is a comparative
ratinþ based on the wear rate oý the
tire when tested under controlled con‐
ditions on a speciýied þovernment test
course. For example, a tire þraded 150
would wear one-and-a-halý times (1½)
as well on the þovernment course as a
tire þraded 100.
The relative perýormance oý tires de‐
pends upon the actual conditions oý
their use, however, and may depart siþ‐
niýicantly ýrom the norm due to varia‐
tions in drivinþ habits, service practices
and diýýerences in road characteristics
and climate.
These þrades are molded on the side-
walls oý passenþer vehicle tires. The
tires available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary
with respect to þrade.
Traction - AA, A, B & C
The traction þrades, ýrom hiþhest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C. Those
þrades represent the tire s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on speciýied
þovernment test surýaces oý asphalt
and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction perýormance.