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 vehicle 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 depart
significantly from the norm due tovariations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics 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
performance.
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.
Temperature Grades
The temperature grades are A (the
highest), B, and C, representing the
tire's resistance to the generation of
heat and its ability to dissipate heat,
when tested under controlled
conditions on a specified indoor
laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material
of the tire to degenerate and reduce
tire life, and excessive temperature
can lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance, which all passenger
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and A
represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test
wheel, than the minimum required by
law.
Warning!
The temperature grade for this tire
is established for a tire that is
properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
under-inflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.
224
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
INDEX
Accessories Purchased By TheOwner....................3
Active Aerodynamics ...........55
Active Safety Systems ..........90
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) System ..................92
Adaptive Cruise Control .........151
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control) ............151
Additives, Fuel ............. .240
AFS Function ................34
AirBag.................. .109
Air Bag Operation ...........110
Air Bag Warning Light ........108
Driver Knee Air Bag ..........111
Enhanced Accident
Response .............114,192
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .....192
Front Air Bag .............109
If Deployment Occurs ........114
Knee Impact Bolsters ........111
Maintaining Your Air Bag System. .117
Maintenance ............. .117
Redundant Air Bag Warning
Light ................. .109
Side Air Bags .............111
Transporting Pets ...........127
Air Bag Light .............108,128 Air Pressure
Tires .................. .216
Alarm (Security Alarm) ..........19
Alfa Active Suspension (AAS) .....146
Alfa DNA System .............143
Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) System ....90
Automatic Dimming Mirror ........31
Automatic Headlights ...........33
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ...................42
Automatic Transmission ........137
Auxiliary Driving Systems ........93
B-Pillar Location .............212
Battery .................. .200
Battery Recharging ...........201
Belts, Seat ................ .128
Blind Spot Monitoring ...........93
Bodywork (Cleaning And Maintenance) .............226
Brakes .................. .234
Brake Fluid Level ...........200
Brightness, Interior Lights ........38
Bulbs, Light ............... .129
Camera, Rear .............. .163
Carbon Fiber Active Aero Front Spoiler ..................55
Carbon Monoxide Warning .......127Cargo Tie-Downs
..............50
Certification Label ............166
Changing A Flat Tire ...........208
Chart, Tire Sizing .............209
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) .............86
Checking Levels .............198
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety . . .127
Checks, Safety ..............127
Child Restraint ..............117
Child
Restraints
Booster Seats .............120
Child Seat Installation ........125
How To Stow An unused ALR
Seat Belt ............... .124
Infants And Child Restraints . . . .119
LATCH Positions ...........121
Lower Anchors And Tethers For
Children ............... .121
Older Children And Child
Restraints .............. .119
Seating Positions ...........120
Using The Top Tether Anchorage . .126
Clean Air Gasoline ............239
Cleaning Wheels ................ .221
Climate Control ............40,43
Close The Hood ...............49
Compact Spare Tire ...........220
Contract, Service .............247
