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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 (11/2) 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 habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics
and climate .
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 un -
der controlled conditions on specified govern-
ment test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction performance
¢
.&,.
Temperatur e
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 conditions on
a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
Sustained high temperature
can cause the mate-
rial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life,
and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden
tire failure
c:>
.&,.
The grade C corresponds to a level of perform-
ance which all passenger car tires must meet un-
der the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard
No. 109. Grades Band A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test wheel than
the minimum required by law .
A
WARNING
-
The traction grade ass igned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead
braking traction
tests, and does not include acceleration, cor-
nering, hydroplaning or peak traction charac-
teristics.
Wheels
A
WARNING
The temperature
grade for this tire is estab-
lished for a tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinfla-
tion, or excessive loading, either separately or
in comb inat ion, can cause heat bu ildu p and
possible tire fai lure.
A
WARNING
-
-
Temperature grades apply to tires that are
properly inflated and not over or underinflat-
ed.
Tire pressure
monitoring
system
ill
General notes
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
shou ld be checked monthly when cold and inflat-
ed to the inflation pressure recommended
by the
vehicle manufacturer
on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label. (If your vehicle has
tires of a different size than the size indicated on
the vehicle placard or tire inflation pressure la-
bel, you should determine the proper tire infla -
t ion pressure for those tires) .
As an added safety feature, your vehicle has been
equipped with a tire pressure monitor ing system
(TPMS) that illuminates a low tire pressure tell -
tale when one or more of your tires is significant-
ly under -inf lated. Accordingly, when the low t ire
pressure telltale illuminates, you shou ld stop and
check your tires as soon as possib le, and inflate
them to the proper pressure . Driving on a signifi-
cant ly under-inflated
tire causes the tire to over-
heat and can lead to tire failure. Under-inflation
also reduces fue l efficiency and tire tread life,
and may affect the vehicle's handling and stop-
ping ability .
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute
for
proper tire maintenance,
and it is the driver's re-
sponsibility to maintain correct tire pressure,
even if under -inflation has not reached the level
to trigger illumination of the TPMS low t ire pres-
sure telltale .
.,.
235
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