Kia 2019 niro, Owner'S Manual, Page: 475 / 551

33
8
8
Maintenance Tires and wheels
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 labora
-
tory 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 cor
-
responds to a level of performance
which all passenger 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 mini
-
mum required by law.
Tire terminology and definitions
Refer to the following for detailed
definitions of the terms that are
found in the tire description.
Air Pressure The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward on
the tire. Air pressure is expressed in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo
-
pascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight This means the
combined weight of optional acces
-
sories. Some examples of optional
accessories are automatic transaxle,
power seats, and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio The relationship of a
tire's height to its width.
Belt A rubber coated layer of cords
that is located between the plies
and the tread. Cords may be made
from steel or other reinforcing
materials.
Bead The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords that
hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alternate
angles less than 90 degrees to the
centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure The amount of
air pressure in a tire, measured in
pounds per square inch (psi) or kilo
-
pascals (kPa) before a tire has built
up heat from driving.
Curb Weight This means the weight
of a motor vehicle with standard
and optional equipment including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil
and coolant, but without passengers
and cargo.
DOT Markings A code molded into
the sidewall of a tire signifying that
the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation
motor vehicle safety standards. The
DOT code includes the Tire Identifi
-
cation Number (TIN), an alphanu
-
meric designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer, pro
-
duction plant, brand and date of
production.