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 453
Cargo Light............................ 169
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 172
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 173
Carrier, Luggage ........................ 176
Cellular Phone ........................ 93,259
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 419
Chains, Tire ............................ 324
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 360
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 309
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 380
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 81
Checks, Safety ........................... 81
Child Restraint .......................... 72
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 76
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 75
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Child Seat .............................. 78
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 335 Cleaning
Wheels ............................. 405
Climate Control ......................... 259
Clock ..................... 208,222,224,227,236
Clutch ............................... 399
Clutch Fluid ........................... 399
Coin Holder ........................... 168
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 258
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 320
Compass Variance ....................... 204
Connector UCI ................................ 247
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ......... 247
Console .............................. 168
Contract, Service ........................ 449
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 421,422
Cooling System ......................... 393
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) .............. 395
Coolant Level ...................... 393,397
458 INDEX
