2018 MAZDA MODEL 3 HATCHBACK Owners Manual (in English)

Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading system developed by the U.S. National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration for grading tires by tread wear, traction, and temperature
performance.
▼ Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specified government test cour
se.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one-and-a-half times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.

The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual condi tions of their use, however,
and may depart significantly from the norm because of variation s in driving habits, service
practices and differences in ro ad characteristics and climate.
▼Traction-AA, A, B, C
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 contro lled conditions on specified
government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction
performance.
WA R N I N G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and
does not include acceleration cornering (t urning), hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
▼ Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the hi
ghest), B, and C, represent the tire's resistance to the
generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when teste d 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 temperatures can lead to sudden tire failure.

Grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passeng er vehicle tires must meet
under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher
levels of performance on the labo ratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality G rading System (UTQGS)
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WA R N I N G
Keep your vehicle's tires properly inflated and not overloaded:
Driving with improperly inflated or overload ed tires is dangerous. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not overloaded.

These grades will be added to the sidewalls of passenger vehicl e tires over the next several
years according to a schedule established by the NHTSA and the tire manufacturers.

The grade of tires available as standard or optional equipment on Mazda vehicles may vary
with respect to grade.

ALL PASSENGER VEHICLE TIRES MUST CONFORM TO THESE GRADES AND TO
ALL OTHER FEDERAL TIRE-SAFETY REQUIREMENTS.
▼ UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewa
ll between tread shoulder
and maximum section width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200 TRACTION AA TEMPERATURE A
UTQGS MARK (example)
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality G rading System (UTQGS)
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Tire Labeling
Federal law requires tire manufacturers to place standardized information on the sidewall of
all tires. This inform ation identifies and describes the fundam ental characteristics of the tire
and also provides a tire identification number for safety standard certification and in case of
a recall.
▼ Information on Passenger Vehicle Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
1. TIN: U.S. DOT tire identification number
2. Passenger car tire
3. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
4. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
5. Radial
6. Run-flat tire
7. Rim diameter code
8. Load index & speed symbol
9. Severe snow conditions
10. Tire ply composition and materials used
11. Max. load rating
12. Tread wear, traction and temperature grades
13. Max. permissible inflation pressure
14. SAFETY WARNING
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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P215/65R15 95H is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of tha t tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
P
Indicates a tire that may be ins talled on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
NOTE
If your tire size does not begin with a letter this may mean it is designated by either ETRTO
(European Tire and Rim Technical Organization) or JATMA (Japan Tire Manufacturing
Association).
215
“215” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This thr ee-digit number gives the
width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
65
“65” is the aspect ratio. This two-digit number indicates the t ire's ratio of height to width.
R
“R” is the tire construction symbol. R indicates “Radial ply co nstruction”.
15
“15” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
95
“95” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicate s how much weight each tire
can support.
H
“H” is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum s peed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
Q9 9 m ph
R1 06 m ph
S 112 mph
T 118 mph
U1 24 m ph
H1 30 m ph
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Letter RatingSpeed Rating
V 149 mph
W 168
* mph
Y 186
* mph
* For tires with a maximum speed capability over 149 mph, tire manufacturers sometimes use the letters ZR. For
tires with a maximum speed cap ability over 186 mph, tire manufa cturers always use the letters ZR.
MS or M/S: Mud and Snow
AT: All Terrain.
AS: All Season. The “M
S” or “M/S” indicates that the tire has some functional use in mud
and snow.
U.S. DOT Tire Identifi cation Number (TIN)
This begins with the letters “DOT” which indicates the tire mee ts all federal standards. The
next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was man ufactured, and the last four
numbers represent the week and year the tire was manufactured. For example, the numbers
457 means the 45st week of 1997. After 2000 the numbers go to f our digits. For example,
the number 2102 means the 21th week of 2002. The other numbers are marketing codes
used at the manufacturer's discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire
defect requires a recall.
Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-co ated fabric in the tire. In
general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tir e can support. Tire
manufacturers also must indicate the tire materials, which incl ude steel, nylon, polyester,
and other.
Maximum Load Rating
This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the
tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure
This number is the greatest amoun t of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under
normal driving conditions.
Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades
Tr e a d w e a r : The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire
when tested under controlled con ditions on a specified government test course. For
example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire graded 100.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Traction: The traction grades, from highe st to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades
represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measure d under controlled conditions
on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have
poor traction performance.
Te m p e r a t u r e : The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C, represent ing the tire's
resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipa te heat when tested under
controlled conditions on a spec ified indoor laboratory test whe el.
Snow Tires
In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true sn ow tires, those with very
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or p laced on all four wheels. Make
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other tires
on your vehicle.
SAFETY WARNING
The following safety warning a ppears on the tire's sidewall.
SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:
EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-MATCH
TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM D IAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO SEAT
BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT TIRES.
TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/
DAMAGE-FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN
VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR
DAMAGE.
▼ Information on Temporary Tires
Please refer to the sample below.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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1. Temporary tires
2. Nominal width of tire in millimeters
3. Ratio of height to width (aspect ratio)
4. Diagonal
5. Rim diameter code
6. Load index & speed symbol
T115/70D16 90M is an example of a tire size and load index rating. Here is an explanation
of the various components of that tire size and load index rating. Note that the tire size and
load index rating may be different from the example.
T
Indicates a tire that may be installed on cars, SUVs, minivans and light trucks as designated
by the Tire and Rim Association (T&RA).
11 5
“115” is the nominal width of the tire in millimeters. This three-digit number gives the
width in millimeters o f the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger
the number, the wider the tire.
70
“70” is the aspect ratio. This t wo-digit number indicates the t ire's ratio of height to width.
D
“D” is the tire construction symbol. D indicates “diagonal ply construction”.
16
“16” is the wheel rim diameter in inches.
90
“90” is the Load Index. This two-or three-digit number indicate s how much weight each tire
can support.
M
“M” is the speed rating. The speed rating denotes the maximum s peed for which the use of
the tire is rated.
Letter Rating Speed Rating
M8 1 m ph
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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Location of the Tire Label (Placard)
You will find the tire label containing tire inflation pressure by tire size and other important
information on the driver's side B-pillar or on the edge of the driver's door frame.

SAMPLE
▼ Recommended Tire Inflation Pressure
On the tire label you will find the recommended tire inflation
pressure in both kPa and psi
for the tires installed as orig inal equipment on the vehicle. I t is very important that the
inflation pressure of the tires on your vehicle is maintained a t the recommended pressure.
You should check the tire pressure regularly to insure that the proper inflation pressure is
maintained.
Refer to Tires on page 9-10.
NOTE
Tire pressures listed on the vehicle placar d or tire information label indicate the
recommended cold tire inflation pressure, measured when the tires are cold, after the vehicle
has been parked for at least 3 hours. As you drive, the temperature in the tire warms up,
increasing the tire pressure.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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