Kia Picanto Owner's Manual page 403

Maintenance
WARNING
Tyre age
Tyres degrade over time, even when
they are not being used.
Regardless of the remaining tread, we
recommend that tyres be replaced 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
tyre failure, which could lead to a loss of
control and an accident involving serious
injury or death.
4. Tyre ply composition and
material
The number of layers or plies of rubber-
coated fabric in the tyre. Tyre manufac-
turers also must indicate the materials in
the tyre, which include steel, nylon, poly-
ester, and others. The letter "R" means
radial ply construction; the letter "D"
means diagonal or bias ply construction;
and the letter "B" means belted-bias ply
construction.
5. Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest amount of
air pressure that should be put in the
tyre. Do not exceed the maximum per-
missible inflation pressure. Refer to the
Tyre and Loading Information label for
recommended inflation pressure.
6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kilograms and pounds that can
be carried by the tyre. When replacing
the tyres on the vehicle, always use a
tyre that has the same load rating as the
factory installed tyre.
7. Uniform tyre quality grading
Quality grades can be found where
applicable on the tyre sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width.
For example: TREADWEAR 200 TRAC-
TION AA TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the wear rate of the tyre
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tyre graded 150 would
wear one-and-ahalf times (1½) as well on
the government course as a tyre graded
100.
The relative performance of tyres
depends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart sig-
nificantly from the norm due to varia-
tions in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
These grades are molded on the side-
walls of passenger vehicle tyres. The
tyres available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary
with respect to grade.
Traction - AA, A, B & C
The traction grades, from highest to low-
est, are AA, A, B and C. Those grades
represent the tyre's ability to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on specified government test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tyre
marked C may have poor traction per-
formance.
Tyres and wheels
8
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