Cuslomer Informalion
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tiregradjng system developedby the U.S.
National Highway Traffic SafetyAdministration for grading tires by treadwear, traction, and temperature
I ltead Wear
The tread wea.r grade is a comparative
nting based on $e wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified govemment test course.
For example, a tire graded I 50 would
wear one-and-a-half times as well on thegovemment course as a tire gmded l0o.
The relative performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their us€,
howeve! and may depart significandy
from the nom because of valiations in
driving habits, service practices and dif-
ferences in rcad characteristics and cli-
I Tlacaion-AA, . B, C
'fte tracdon grades, from highest to low,
est, are AA, A, B. and C. These grades
9.8
r€present fte tire's abilily to stop on wet
pavement as measured under controlled
conditions on sp€cified govemment test
surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A dre
marked C Inay have poor traction perfor-
WARNING:
The tructioi glade assigned to this tirc
is based o blaki g (slraight ahea.l)
tractio tests a d does not include
ac.elerudon co edne tunind,hJdropla i g, or peak trcction
I Temperature-A, B, C
The lemperature graales are A (the high-
est), B, and C, represent the tiret resis-
tance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested un-
der conlrolled conditions on a specifi€d
indoor laboratory iest wheel. Sustained
high temperature can cause the material
of lhe tire 1o degen€rate and reduce tire
life, and excessive temperatures can lead
to sudden tire failure.
Grade C conesponds to alevel of
performance which all passenger vehicle
tires must me€t under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represenl higher levels of
perfoamance on the laboraiory test wheel
than $e minimum required by law.
WARNING:
The tenperulure srude for this tbe is
established fof a tie th4t B pfope rinlated and not ove oaded Excessive
speed, undefit Jlation, or excessive
Ioading, either separat b or in
combination, con cause heat buiuap
a .l possible tirc faiure.
These grades will be added to the side-
walls of passenger vehicle tires over the
next several years according to asched,
ule €stablished by the NHTSA and the
tire manufacturels.
The grade of tires available as standard or
optional equipment on Mazda vehicle
may vary with respect to grade.
