Section 2
Identification and Safety
Tire Identification breakdown (Cont’d)
Tread wear Number
This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the tread wear number is, the longer it should
take for the tread to wear down. For example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire
graded 200.
Traction Letter
This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you to
stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from
highest to lowest as ‘AA’, ‘A’, ‘B’, and ‘C’.
Temperature Letter
This letter indicates a tire’s resistance to heat. The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated
properly and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under inflation or excessive loading, either separately
or in combination, can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure. From highest to lowest, a tire’s
resistance to heat is graded as ‘A’, ‘B’, or ‘C’.
Make sure all of the lug nuts are secure. Use a torque wrench. DO NOT guess.
Inspect tires for uneven wear patterns on the tread, for cracks, for foreign objects or for other signs of
wear or trauma.
If you are towing a trailer, remember that some of the weight of the loaded trailer is transferred to the
towing vehicle.
Trailers should have the wheel bearings repacked after being in storage for long periods of time.
DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR VEHICLE. CHECK THE TIRE INFORMATION
PLACARD FOR THE MAXIMUM RECOMMENDED LOAD FOR THE VEHICLE. NEVER
EXCEED THE WHEEL MANUFACTURER’S RECOMMENDATIONS.
IT IS IMPORTANT TO MAINTAIN PROPER WHEEL NUT TORQUE TO
PROVIDE SAFE AND SECURE ATTACHMENT OF THE WHEEL TO THE HUB/DRUM.
CAUTION’ INDICATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHICH, IF NOT AVOIDED, COULD
RESULT IN VEHICLE DAMAGE OR PERSONAL INJURY.
‘WARNING’ INDICATES A HAZARDOUS SITUATION WHICH, IF NOT AVOIDED, COULD
RESULT IN DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY.
Page 26
Revised September 2012
