Kia Optima 2017, Owner'S Manual, Page: 659 / 776

WARNING
n
Tire age
Tires degrade over time, even when
they are not being used.
Regardless of the remaining tread,
we recommend that tires be re‐
placed after approximately six (6)
years of normal service. Heat caused
by hot climates or frequent high
loading conditions can accelerate the
aging process. Failure to follow this
warning can result in sudden tire
failure, which could lead to a loss of
control and an accident involving se‐
rious injury or death.
4. Tire ply composition and material
The number of layers or plies of rub‐
ber- coated fabric in the tire. Tire man‐
ufacturers also must indicate the ma‐
terials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others. The letter
"R" means radial ply construction; the
letter "D" means diagonal or bias ply
construction; and the letter "B" means
belted-bias ply construction.
5. Maximum permissible inflation
pressure
This number is the greatest amount of
air pressure that should be put in the
tire. Do not exceed the maximum per‐
missible inflation pressure. Refer to the
Tire and Loading Information label for
recommended inflation pressure.
6. Maximum load rating
This number indicates the maximum
load in kilograms and pounds that can
be carried by the tire. When replacing
the tires on the vehicle, always use a
tire that has the same load rating as
the factory installed tire.
7. Uniform tire quality grading
Quality grades can be found where ap‐
plicable on the tire sidewall between
tread shoulder and maximum section
width.
For example:
TREADWEAR 200
TRACTION AA
TEMPERATURE A
Tread wear
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-a half times (1½)
as well on the government course as a
tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires de‐
pends upon the actual conditions of
their use, however, and may depart sig‐
nificantly from the norm due to varia‐
tions in driving habits, service practices
and differences in road characteristics
and climate.
These grades are molded on the side-
walls of passenger vehicle tires. The
tires available as standard or optional
equipment on your vehicle may vary
with respect to grade.
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.
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Maintenance