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25 8
T i re s and w h ee l s
Traction
The
traction
grades, from highest to lowest,
are AA, A, Band C. Those grades 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
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.&. .
Temperatu re
The
temperature
grades are A (the highest),
B, and
C,
representing the t ire's resistance to
the generation of heat and its ability to dissi-
pate heat when tested under cont rolled condi-
tions 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
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,& .
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stand-
ard No. 109 . Grades Band A represent higher
levels of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the m inimum required by law.
.&_
WARNING
The traction grade assigned to this t ire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydrop laning or peak traction
characteristics.
A
WARNING
The temperature grade for this tire is es-
tablished for a t ire that is properly inflated
and not overloaded. Excessive speed, un-
derinflation, or excessive loading, either
separately or in combination, can cause
heat buildup and possible tire fa ilu re.
-
Winter tires
Winter tires can improve vehicle handling on
snow and ice. At temperatures below 45 °F
(7 °C) we recommend changing to winter
tires.
In some heavy snow areas, local governments
may require true w inter or "snow" t ires, those
with very deeply cut tread . These tires should
only be used in pairs and be installed on all
f our wheels . Make sure you purchase snow
ti res that are the same size and construction
type as the othe r tires on your vehicle.
If
your vehicle is equipped w ith all-whee l
drive*, t his w ill improve traction during win t er
driv ing, even with the standard tires . Howev-
er, we strongly recommend that you always
equip all four wheels on your vehicle w ith cor-
rect ly fitted winter tires or all-season t ires,
when winter road condit ions are expected.
This also improves the veh icle's braking per-
formance and reduces stopping distances .
Summer tires provide less grip on ice and
snow.
Winter tires (snow tires) must always be fitted
on all fo ur whee ls .
Ask your aut horized Audi dealer or qualified
workshop for permit t ed winter ti re sizes. Use
only radial winter tires .
Winter tires lose their effec ti veness whe n the
tread is wo rn down to a depth of 0 .157 inch
(4
mm) .
Only drive w ith w inter t ires under w inte r con-
ditions. Summe r t ires handle bette r whe n
there is no snow or ice on the roads and t he
temperature is above 45 °F (7 °C).
If you have a flat ti re, see notes on spare
whee l
c:>
page 254 .
Please always remember that winter tires may
have a lowe r speed rating than the tires origi-
nally installed on your vehicle at the time it
was ma nuf actu red. Please see
c:> p age 255,
Speed rating (Letter code)
for a list ing of the
speed rating lette r codes and t he maximum
speed at which the tires can be driven .
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