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 465
Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 178
Luggage Carrier ..................... 185
Cargo Light ............................ 178
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 181
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 182
Cellular Phone ........................ 98,273
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 437
Chains, Tire ............................ 347
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 382
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 330
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 402
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 84
Checks, Safety ........................... 84
Child Restraint .......................... 74
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 79
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 77
Child Safety Locks ........................ 32 Child Seat
.............................. 81
Clean Air Gasoline ....................... 358
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 428
Climate Control ......................... 273
Clock ........................... 222,241,250
Clutch ............................... 421
Clutch Fluid ........................... 421
Coin Holder ........................... 177
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 273
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 342
Compass .............................. 208
Compass Calibration ..................... 218
Compass Variance ....................... 218
Connector UCI .............................. 264
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 264
Console .............................. 177
Contract, Service ........................ 461
470 INDEX
