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 551
Cargo Compartment...................... 225
Light ............................. 226
Luggage Carrier ..................... 230
Cargo Light ............................ 226
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 227
Cellular Phone ....................... 1 19,319
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 523
Certification Label ....................... 422
Chains, Tire ............................ 397
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 449
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 379
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) .............262,478
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 96
Checks, Safety ........................... 96
Child Restraint .................... 82,83,88,90
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............86,88
Child Safety Locks ........................ 36
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 411 Climate Control
......................... 319
Clock ............................. 285,294
Cold Weather Operation ................... 339
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 318
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 391
Compass .............................. 271
Compass Calibration ..................... 273
Compass Variance ....................... 272
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 269
Connector UCI .............................. 308
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 308
Conserving Fuel ........................ 268
Console, Overhead ....................... 204
Contract, Service ........................ 547
Cooling System ......................... 494
Adding Coolant (Antifreeze) ............. 496
Coolant Capacity ..................... 524
Coolant Level ....................... 498
556 INDEX
