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 to
variations in driving habits, servicepractices, 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 indoorlaboratory 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.
241
INDEX
Accessories Purchased By TheOwner....................4
Active Safety Systems .........104
Active Torque Vectoring (ATV) System ................ .107
Adaptive Cruise Control .........166
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) (Cruise Control) ............166
Additives, Fuel ............. .256
AFS Function ................40
AirBag.................. .123
Advance Front Air Bag ........123
Air Bag Operation ...........125
Air Bag Warning Light ........123
Driver Knee Air Bag ..........126
Enhanced Accident
Response .............129,207
Event Data Recorder (EDR) .....207
Front Air Bag .............123
If A Deployment Occurs .......128
Knee Impact Bolsters ........125
Maintaining Your Air Bag System ..................... .131
Redundant Air Bag Warning Light ..................... .123
Side Air Bags .............126
Transporting Pets ..........141
Air Bag Light .............123,142
Air Bag Maintenance ...........131 Air Pressure
Tires .................. .233
Alarm (Security Alarm) ..........21
Alfa Active Suspension (AAS) .....161
Alfa DNA System .............158
Anti-Lock Braking (ABS) System . . .104
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ......257
Automatic Dimming Mirror ........37
Automatic Headlights ...........39
Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) ...................48
Automatic Transmission ........152
Auxiliary Driving Systems ........107
B-Pillar Location .............230
Battery ..................
.217
K
eyless Key Fob Replacement ....17
Battery Recharging ...........218
Belts, Seat ................ .142
Blind Spot Monitoring ..........107
Bodywork (Cleaning And Maintenance) .............242
Brakes .................. .250
Brake Fluid Level ...........217
Brightness, Interior Lights ........44
Bulbs, Light ............... .143
Camera, Rear .............. .179
Capacities, Fluid .............257
Carbon Monoxide Warning .......141Certification Label
............182
Changing A Flat Tire ...........225
Chart, Tire Sizing .............227
Check Engine Light (Malfunction Indicator Light) ............101
Checking Levels .............215
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety . . .141
Checks, Safety ..............141
Child Restraint ..............131
Child Restraints Booster Seats .............134
Child Restraints ............131
Child Seat Installation ........139
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat
Belt .................. .138
Infants And Child Restraints . . . .133
LATCH Positions ...........135
Lower Anchors And Tethers For
Children ............... .135
Older Children And Child
Restraints .............. .133
Seating Positions ...........134
Clean Air Gasoline ............255
Cleaning Wheels ................ .238
Climate Control ............47,50
Close The Hood ...............57
Compact Spare Tire ...........237
Contract,
Service .............263
