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 661
Cargo Area Features...................... 279
Cargo Compartment ...................... 279
Light ............................. 280
Luggage Carrier ..................... 284
Cargo Light ............................ 280
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 281
Cellular Phone ....................... 123,408
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 631
Certification Label ....................... 523
Chains, Tire ............................ 497
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 552
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 480
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 584
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 98
Checks, Safety ........................... 98
Child Restraint .................... 81,84,87,91
Child Restraint Tether Anchors .............85,87
Child Safety Locks ........................ 36 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 512
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 616
Climate Control ......................... 408
Clock ............................. 341,350
Cold Weather Operation ................... 428
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 407
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 492
Compass .............................. 327
Compass Calibration ..................... 329
Compass Variance ....................... 328
Computer, Trip/Travel .................... 325
Connector UCI .............................. 364
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 364
Conserving Fuel ........................ 323
Console, Overhead ....................... 248
Contract, Service ........................ 657
666 INDEX
