µ
Quality grades can be f ound where
applicable on the tire sidewall
between the tread shoulder and the
maximum section width. For
example:
All passenger vehicle tires must
conf orm to Federal Saf ety
Requirements in addition to these
grades. The treadwear grade is a compara-
tive rating based on the wear rate of
the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specif ied government
test course. For example, a tire
graded 150 would wear one and one-
half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded
100. The relative perf ormance of
tires depends upon the actual condi-
tions of their use, however, and may
depart signif icantly f rom the norm
due to variations in driving habits,
service practices, and dif f erences in
road characteristics and climate.
The traction grades, f rom highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. Those
grades represent the tire’s ability to
stop on wet pavement as measured
under controlled conditions on
specif ied government test surf aces
of asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction
perf ormance.
Warning: The traction grade
assignedtothistireisbasedon
straight-ahead braking traction tests,
and does not include acceleration,
cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
The tires on your vehicle meet all
U.S. Federal Saf ety Requirements.
All tires are also graded f or
treadwear, traction, and temperature
perf ormance according to
Department of Transportation
(DOT) standards. The f ollowing
explains these gradings.
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles)
Unif orm T ire Quality Grading
T readwear 200
Traction AA
Temperature A Treadwear Traction AA, A, B, C
290
µµµ
µ
µ
µ
µ
µ
Warning: The temperature grade f or
this tire is established f or a tire that
is properly inf lated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinf lation, or excessive loading,
either separately or in combination,
can cause heat buildup and possible
tire f ailure.
The tires that came on your vehicle
have a number of markings. Those
you should be aware of are described
below.
Whenever tires are replaced, they
should be replaced with tires of the
same size. Following is an example
of tire size with an explanation of
what each component means.
Speed symbol (an
alphabetical code indicating
the maximum speed rating).Tire construction code (R
indicates radial).
Load index (a numerical code
associated with the maximum
load the tire can carry). Rim diameter in inches. Aspect ratio (the tire’s section
height as a percentage of its
width). Tire width in millimeters. Vehicletype(Pindicates
passenger vehicle).
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 specif ied 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 f ailure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
perf ormance which all passenger car
tires must meet under the Federal
Motor Vehicle Saf ety Standard No.
109. Grades B and A represent
higher levels of perf ormance on the
laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by law. P
16 R 235
70
104
S
Temperature A,B,C
Tire Labeling
DOT Tire Quality Grading (U.S. Vehicles), Tire L abeling
Tire Size
Technical Inf ormation
291
P235/70R16 104S
CONT INUED
...............
Gas Mileage, Improving .190
.........................................
Gasoline .186
...............
Fuel Reserve Indicator .67
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement .186
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
................
Gas Station Procedures .187 Gauges
...
Engine Coolant Temperature .71
...............................................
Fuel .70
GAWR (Gross Axle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
GCWR (Gross Combined Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
............
Gearshif t Lever Positions .200
........................................
Glove Box . 99
GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight .......................................
Rating) .214
.............
Halogen Headlight Bulbs . 248
.................
Hazard Warning Button . 77
Engine
....
Coolant Temperature Gauge . 71
Malf unction Indicator ................................
Lamp . 62, 277
........Oil
Pressure Indicator . 62, 276
..............Oil, What Kind to Use . 239
...............................
Overheating .274
............................
Specif ications .289
............................
Speed Limiter .202
.......................................
Starting .199
.
Evaporative Emissions Controls . 295
...............................
Exhaust Fumes .57
Exhaust Gas Recirculation ........................................
System .296
Expectant Mothers, Use of Seat ........................................
Belts by .19
...................................
Fan, Interior .106
.........................................
Features .105
....................
Filling the Fuel Tank . 187
Filters ...............................................
Oil .240
.............
Flashers, Hazard Warning . 77
...................
Flat Tire, Changing a . 267Fluids
..........
Automatic Transmission . 244
..........................................
Brake .246
..........................
Power Steering .247
................
Windshield Washers . 243
...................
Folding the Third Seat . 90
..........................
Four-way Flashers .77
.................................................
Fuel .186
...............................
Cap Message .72
......................
Fill Door and Cap .187
...........................................
Gauge .70
................
Octane Requirement . 186
........................
Reserve Indicator .67
........................
Tank, Filling the .187
.....................
Fuses, Checking the .279
Index
F GH
INDEX
III
............
WARNING, Explanation of .iii
.........
Warning Labels, Location of .58
....................
Warranty Coverages .303
Washer, Windshield
........
Checking the Fluid Level .243
............................
Level Indicator .67
.....................................
Operation .74
Wheels ...............
Adjusting the Steering .78
............
Alignment and Balance .259
..........................
Compact Spare .266
...............................
Nut Wrench .269
Windows ..................
Operating the Power .94
...........................
Rear, Def ogger .77
Windshield ...........................
Defroster . 108, 110
.......................................
Washers .74
Wipers, Windshield .......................
Changing Blades .255
.....................................
Operation .74
Rear Window Wiper and
.....................................
Washer .74
..................
Wireless Headphones .172
Unexpected, Taking Care
..........................................
of the .265
....
Unif orm Tire Quality Grading .290
........................
Unleaded Gasoline .186
.......
Used Oil, How to Dispose of .241
................................
Vanity Mirror .101
.................
Vehicle Capacity Load .194
......................
Vehicle Dimensions .288
....
Vehicle Identif ication Number .286
Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA)
....................................
System .211
.........................
VSA Of f Switch .212
.............................
Vehicle Storage .263
.................................................
VIN .286
..................................
Viscosity, Oil .239
..................................
VTM-4 Lock .204
...............................................
Tires .257
..............................
Air Pressure .258
.........................
Checking Wear .259
..........................
Compact Spare .266
......
DOT Tire Quality Grading .290
......................................
Inf lation .257
..................................
Inspection .259
..............................
Maintenance .259
...................................
Replacing .260
......................................
Rotating .260
...........................................
Snow .261
............................
Specif ications .289
...................
Tools, Tire Changing .267
Towing
.....................................
A Trailer .213
................
Emergency Wrecker .279
....
Equipment and Accessories .219
.......................
Traction Devices .261
.............................
Weight Limit .215
......................
Trailer Driving Tips .219
Transmission
...............
Checking Fluid Level .244
...........................
Fluid Selection .244
..............
Identif ication Number .286
.............
Shif ting the Automatic .200
.....................................
Treadwear .290 .......................................
Trip Meter .70
....................................
Turn Signals .75
Index
U
V W
VIII