4038-1. Specifications
8
Vehicle specifications
■Traction AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B and C, and they
represent the tire’s ability to stop on
wet pavement as measured under con-
trolled conditions on specified govern-
ment 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 braking (straight
ahead) traction tests and does not include
cornering (turning) traction.
■Temperature A, B, C
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 sudd
en tire failure.
Grade C corresponds to a level of perfor-
mance which all passenger car tires must
meet under the Fede ral 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 grades for this
tire are established for a tire that is prop-
erly inflated and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, unde rinflation, or exces-
sive loading, either separately or in combi-
nation, can cause heat buildup and
possible tire failure.
Glossary of tire terminology
Tire related termMeaning
Cold tire inflation pressure
Tire pressure when the vehicle has been parked for three
hours or more, or has not been driven more than 1 mile or
1.5 km under that condition
Maximum inflation pressureThe maximum cold inflated pressure to which a tire may
be inflated, shown on the sidewall of the tire
Recommended inflation pres-
sureCold tire inflation pressure recommended by a manufac-
turer
Accessory weight
The combined weight (in excess of those standard items
which may be replaced) of automatic transmission, power
steering, power brakes, powe r windows, power seats,
radio and heater, to the extent that these items are avail-
able as factory-installed equi pment (whether installed or
not)
4048-1. Specifications
Curb weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment,
including the maximum capacity of fuel, oil and coolant,
and if so equipped, air conditioning and additional weight
optional engine
Maximum loaded vehicle
weight
The sum of:
(a) Curb weight
(b) Accessory weight
(c) Vehicle capacity weight
(d) Production options weight
Normal occupant weight150 lb. (68 kg) times the number of occupants specified in
the second column of Table 1
* that follows
Occupant distributionDistribution of occupants in a vehicle as specified in the
third column of Table 1
* below
Production options weight
The combined weight of in stalled regular production
options weighing over 5 lb. (2.3 kg) in excess of the stan-
dard items which they replace, not previously considered
in curb weight or accessory weight, including heavy duty
brakes, ride levelers, roof rack, heavy duty battery, and
special trim
RimA metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly upon
which the tire beads are seated
Rim diameter
(Wheel diameter)Nominal diameter of the bead seat
Rim size designationRim diameter and width
Rim type designationThe industry manufacturer’s designation for a rim by style
or code
Rim widthNominal distance between rim flanges
Vehicle capacity weight
(Total load capacity)The rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lb. (68 kg)
times the vehicle’s desi gnated seating capacity
Vehicle maximum load on the
tireThe load on an individual tire that is determined by distrib-
uting to each axle its share of the maximum loaded vehicle
weight, and dividing by two
Vehicle normal load on the tire
The load on an individual tire that is determined by distrib-
uting to each axle its shar e of curb weight, accessory
weight, and normal occupant we ight (distributed in accor-
dance with Table 1
* below), and dividing by two
Tire related termMeaning
