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 (turning), 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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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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Index
Front passenger occupant
classification system.................... 2-78
How the SRS air bags work........ 2-71
Limitations to SRS air bag.......... 2-76
Monitoring................................... 2-83
SRS air bag deployment
criteria.......................................... 2-75
Supplemental restraint system
components.................................. 2-69
Starting the Engine..............................4-5
Steering Wheel
Heated steering wh eel................. 2-26
Horn............................................. 4-80
Storage Compartments.................... 5-101 Armrest box............................... 5-102
Center console........................... 5-102
Glove compartment................... 5-101
Luggage Compartment.............. 5-103
Overhead console...................... 5-101
Rear coat hooks......................... 5-105
Shopping bag hook....................5-105
Sunshade............................................3-42
Sunshade (Rear door window)........ 5-106
Sunvisors........................................... 5-92
T
Theft-Deterrent System ..................... 3-45
Third-Row Seat................................. 2-20
Three-flash Turn Signal.................... 4-74
Tires................................................... 6-38 Flat tire.......................................... 7-3
Replacing a tire........................... 6-40
Replacing a wheel....................... 6-41
Snow tires.................................... 3-50
Specifications.................................9-8
Temporary spare tire....................6-40
Tire chains................................... 3-51
Tire inflation pressure................. 6-38
Tire rotation................................. 6-39
Uniform tire quality grading system
(UTQGS)..................................... 8-23
Tire Inflation Pressure Warning
Beep...................................................7-49
Tire Information................................ 8-25
Tire Pressure Monitoring System.... 4-208
To w i n g
Hook............................................ 7-26
Recreational towing.....................3-63
Trailer towing (U.S.A. and
Canada)........................................ 3-55
Towing Description........................... 7-25
Traction Control System (TCS)........ 4-95
TCS OFF Indicator Light............ 4-96
TCS OFF Switch......................... 4-96
TCS/DSC indicator light............. 4-95
Traffic Sign Recognition System
(TSR)............................................... 4-120
Trailer Stability Control (TSC)......... 4-98
Transmitter.......................................... 3-4
Trouble Battery runs out........................... 7-19
Emergency starting...................... 7-22
Emergency towing....................... 7-25
Flat tire.......................................... 7-3
Overheating................................. 7-23
Parking in an emergency............... 7-2
When Liftgate Cannot be
Opened......................................... 7-51
Turn Signals...................................... 4-73
U
USB Power Outlet............................ 5-98
V
Vanity Mirrors................................... 5-92
Vehicle Information Labels................. 9-2
W
Warning Sound is Activated............. 7-46
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