DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADES
The following tire grading categories
were established by the National High-
way 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 con-
form 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 con-
ditions 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 rela-
tive performance of tires dependsupon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart signifi-
cantly from the norm due to variations
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 speci-
fied government test surfaces of as-
phalt 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 condi-
tions 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 pas-
senger vehicle tires must meet under
the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Stan-
dard No. 109. Grades B and A repre-
sent higher levels of performance on
the laboratory test wheel, than the
minimum required by law.
SERVICING AND MAINTENANCE
132
Accessories..................139
Mopar ...................139
Additives, Fuel ................85
AirBag .....................54 Air Bag Operation .............55
Driver Knee Air Bag ...........56
Enhanced Accident Response . . . .108
Event Data Recorder (EDR) ......108
If A Deployment Occurs .........59
Knee Impact Bolsters ..........56
Maintaining Your Air Bag System . . .60
Transporting Pets ............75
Air Bag Light ...............31, 76
Air Bag Maintenance .............60
Air Conditioning Filter ............25
Air Conditioning, Operating Tips ......24
Air Pressure, Tires ..............124
Antifreeze (Engine Coolant) ........137
Anti-Lock Warning Light ...........34
Ashtray .....................27
Automatic Transmission Adding Fluid ..............138
Fluid Type ................138
Auxiliary Electrical Outlet (Power Outlet). .26Axle Lubrication
...............138
Battery .....................32
Charging System Light .........32
Belts, Seat ...................76
B-Pillar Location ..............120
Brake Fluid ..................138
Brake System Fluid Check ...............138
Warning Light ...............31
Bulb Replacement ..............88
Bulbs, Light ................78, 88
Camera, Rear .................82
Capacities, Fluid ..............137
Caps, Filler Fuel ....................84
Oil (Engine) ...............114
Carbon Monoxide Warning ..........75
Changing A Flat Tire ..........92, 115
Chart, Tire Sizing ..............116
Checking Your Vehicle For Safety .....75
Checks, Safety .................75
Child Restraint ................61 Child Restraints
Booster Seats ...............63
Child Restraints ..............61
Child Seat Installation .......70, 73
How To Stow An Unused ALR Seat
Belt .....................68
Infants And Child Restraints ......62
Locating The LATCH Anchorages . . .67
Lower Anchors And Tethers For
Children ..................65
Older Children And Child
Restraints .................63
Seating Positions .............64
Cigar Lighter ..................27
Cleaning Wheels ..................130
Climate Control ................20
Manual ...................20
Clock Setting .................144
Compact Spare Tire .............129
Contract, Service ..............165
Cooling System Coolant Capacity ............137
Selection Of Coolant (Antifreeze) . .137
Cruise Light ..................38
INDEX
167
