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Quality grades can be found where applicable on
the tire side wall between tread shoulder and
maximum section w idth
r::!:>
page 186, fig. 150.
For example: Tread wear 200, Traction AA, Tem-
perature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal
Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Tread wear
The
tread wear
grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified gov-
ernment test course.
For example, a t ire graded
150
would wear one
and one half (1 1/2) times as well on the govern-
ment course as a tire graded
100 .
The relative performance of tires depends upon
the actual conditions of their use, however, and
may depart significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving hab its, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
The
traction
grades, from highest to lowest, are
AA, A, B and C. Those grades represent the tire's
ability to stop on wet pavement as measured un-
der controlled condit ions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction perfo rmance
r::!;>
.&. .
Temperature
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 condit ions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained hig h temperature can cause the mate-
rial of the ti re to degene rate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure
r::!:>
.&. .
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car ti res must meet un-
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety St andard
No.
109.
Grades Band A represent higher levels
Tires
and wheels
of performance on the laboratory test whee l than
the minimum required by law.
A
WARNING
-
-
The traction grade assigned to th is tire is
based on straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include accelerat ion, cor-
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
terist ics.
A
WARNING
=
-
The temperature grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, under infla-
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in combination, can cause heat bui ldup and
possible tire failure.
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 govern ments
may require true w int er or "snow" tires, those
with very deeply cut tread. These tires should on-
ly be used in pairs and be installed on all four
wheels. Make sure you purchase snow tires that
are the same size and construction type as the
other tires on your vehicle.
If
your vehicle is equipped with all-whee l drive *,
this will improve traction during winter driving,
even with the standard tires. However, we strong-
ly recommend that you always equip all four
wheels on your vehicle with correctly fitted win-
ter tires or all-season tires, when w inter road
condit ions are expected. This also improves the
vehicle's braking performance and reduces stop-
ping distances.
Summer tires provide less grip on ice and snow .
Winter tires (snow tires) must always be fitted on
all four wheels.
Compatible t ire pressure monitoring sensors
must be installed on all four winter tires for the
tire pressure monitoring system to function prop-
erly
¢ page 190.
..,.
193
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