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 467
Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 177
Cargo Light ............................ 177
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 180
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 180
Cellular Phone ........................ 97,271
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 436
Chains, Tire ............................ 337
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 376
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 320
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 400
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 83
Checks, Safety ........................... 83
Child Restraint .......................... 74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 79
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 77
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32
Child Seat .............................. 81 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 349
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 426
Climate Control ......................... 271
Clock ........................... 220,238,248
Clutch ............................... 419
Clutch Fluid ........................... 419
Coin Holder ........................... 176
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 270
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 332
Compass .............................. 205
Compass Calibration ..................... 216
Compass Variance ....................... 216
Connector UCI .............................. 262
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 262
Console .............................. 176
Contract, Service ........................ 463
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 437,438
472 INDEX
