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Owner Assistance
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a
comparative rating based on the
wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a
specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150
would wear one-and-a-half
(1-1/2) times as well on the
government course as a tire
graded 100. The relative
performance of tires depends
upon the actual conditions of their
use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variation in driving habits, service
practices and differences in road
characteristics and climate.
Traction – AA, A, B, C
The traction grades from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C.
Those grades represent the tire’s
ability to stop on wet pavement as
measured under controlled
conditions on specified
government 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
straight-ahead braking traction
tests, and does not include
acceleration, cornering,
hydroplaning, or peak traction
characteristics.
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 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 temperature can
lead to sudden tire failure. The
grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all vehicle
tires must meet under the Federal
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 grade
for this tire is established for a tire
that is properly inflated and not
overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
build-up and possible tire failure.
