DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION UNIFORM
TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories were established by
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The
specific grade rating assigned by the tire’s manufacturer
in each category is shown on the sidewall of the tires on
your vehicle.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal safety
requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The Treadwear grade is a comparative rating, based on
the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half
times as well on the government course as a tire graded
100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use, however, and may departsignificantly from the norm due to variations in driving
habits, service practices, and differences in road charac-
teristics and climate.
Traction Grades
The Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B,
and C. These grades represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement, as measured under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and
concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction perfor-
mance.
WARNING!
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on
straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or
peak traction characteristics.
9
IF YOU NEED CONSUMER ASSISTANCE 441
Brightness, Interior Lights.................. 147
Bulb Replacement ..................... 406,407
Bulbs, Light .......................... 83,406
Calibration, Compass ..................... 213
Capacities, Fluid ........................ 412
Caps, Filler Fuel ............................... 337
Oil (Engine) .......................... 371
Power Steering ........................ 294
Radiator (Coolant Pressure) ............... 385
Car Washes ............................ 393
Carbon Monoxide Warning ...............80,337
Cargo (Vehicle Loading) ................... 340
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,263
Certification Label ....................... 340
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 309
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 367Checking Your Vehicle For Safety
............. 79
Checks, Safety ........................... 79
Child Restraint .................. 69,70,71,74,76
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............73,74
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 333
Cleaning Wheels ............................. 394
Windshield Wiper Blades ................ 378
Climate Control ......................... 263
Clock ..................... 221,222,224,227,236
Coin Holder ........................... 178
Cold Weather Operation ................... 278
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 262
Compass .............................. 213
Compass Calibration ..................... 213
Compass Variance ....................... 214
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 206
446 INDEX
