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 473
Cargo CompartmentLight ............................. 182
Cargo Light ............................ 182
Cargo Load Floor ........................ 185
Cargo Tie-Downs ........................ 185
Cellular Phone ........................ 98,275
Center High Mounted Stop Light ............ 444
Chains, Tire ............................ 346
Changing A Flat Tire ..................... 382
Chart, Tire Sizing ........................ 328
Check Engine Light
(Malfunction Indicator Light) ............... 406
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety ............. 85
Checks, Safety ........................... 85
Child Restraint ........................ 75,77
Child Restraint Tether Anchors ............... 80
Child Restraint with Automatic Belts ........... 78
Child Safety Locks ........................ 34
Child Seat .............................. 82 Clean Air Gasoline
....................... 357
Cleaning Wheels ............................ 434
Climate Control ......................... 275
Clock ........................... 224,243,252
Clutch ............................... 427
Clutch Fluid ........................... 427
Coin Holder ........................... 181
Compact Disc (CD) Maintenance ............. 274
Compact Spare Tire ...................... 340
Compass .............................. 209
Compass Calibration ..................... 220
Compass Variance ....................... 221
Connector UCI .............................. 266
Universal Consumer Interface (UCI) ....... 266
Console .............................. 181
Contract, Service ........................ 469
Coolant (Antifreeze) ................... 445,446
478 INDEX
