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- Never mount used tires on your vehicle if
you are not sure of their "previous histo-
ry." Old used tires may have been dam-
aged even though the damage cannot be
seen that can lead to sudden tire failure
and loss of vehicle control.
Glossary of tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
means the comb ined weight (in excess of
those standard items wh ich may be rep laced)
of automa t ic tra nsmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power sea t s,
radio, and heater, to t he ext ent that these
items are avai lab le as factory -installed eq uip-
ment (whether installed or not).
Aspect ratio
means the rat io of t he height t o the w idt h of
the tir e in percent. Numbers of 5 5 or lower in-
d icate a low sidewall fo r improved st eer ing re-
sponse and better overall handling on dry
pavement.
Bead
means t he pa rt of t he t ire t hat is made of
st eel wires, wrapped o r re inforce d by ply cord s
and that is shaped to fit the rim.
Bead separation
means a breakdown of the bond between
components in the bead.
Cord
means the strands forming the plies in the
tire.
Cold tire infl ation pressure
means t he tire pressure recommended
by the
vehicle manufacturer for a t ire of a designated
size that has not been dr iven for more than a
couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in
the t hree hour period before the tire pressure
is measu red or adjusted.
Tire s an d wheel s
199
- If you notice un usua l vibration or if the
veh icle pulls to one side when driving, a l-
ways stop as soon as it is safe to do so
and check the wheels and tires for dam-
age.
Curb weight
mea ns the we ight of a motor ve hicle wit h
standard equipment includ ing t he maximum
capa city of fuel, oil, and coolant, air cond i-
tion ing a nd addi t ional weig ht of optiona l
equipment .
Extra load tire
mea ns a t ire designed to operate at higher
loads and at highe r inflat ion pressu res tha n
th e corresponding standard t ire. Ext ra load
tir es may be ident ified as "XL", "xl", "EXTRA
LOAD", or "RF" on t he sidewall.
Gross Axle Weight Rating ("GAWR ")
mea ns the load-carry ing capac ity of a s ingle
axle system, measured at the tire-ground in-
te rfaces.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ( "GVWR ")
means the maximum total loaded we ight of
the ve hicle.
Groove
means the space between two adjacent tread
ribs.
Load rating (code)
means t he maximum load tha t a t ire is rated
to carry for a given inflation press ure. You
may not find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
Maximum load rating
me an s t he loa d rati ng for a t ire at t he maxi-
mum pe rm issi ble inflat ion pressure for that
ti re .
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