Kia Sorento 2023, Owner'S Manual, Page: 576 / 640

Maintenance
40 8
Tires and wheels
Traction - AA, A, B & C
The traction grades, from highest to low
-
est, 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 per
-
formance.
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on straight-ahead braking trac
-
tion tests, and does not include accelera
-
tion, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
Temperature -A & B
The temperature grades are A (the high
-
est), B representing the tire's resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability
to dissipate heat when tested under con
-
trolled 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 tem
-
perature can lead to sudden tire failure.
Grades B and A represent higher levels
of performance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum required by
law.
Tire terminology and definitions
Refer to the following for detailed defini
-
tions 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 kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight The combined
weight of optional accessories. Some
examples of optional accessories are
automatic transmission, 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 kilopascals (kPa)
before a tire has built up heat from driv
-
ing.
Curb Weight 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 The DOT code includes
the Tire Identification Number (TIN), an
alphanumeric designator which can also
identify the tire manufacturer, produc
-
tion plant, brand and date of production.
GVWR Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
GAWR FRT Gross Axle Weight Rating
for the Front axle.
GAWR RR Gross Axle Weight Rating for
the Rear axle.
Intended Outboard Sidewall The side
of an asymmetrical tire that must always
face outward when mounted on a vehi
-
cle.
Kilopascal (kPa) The metric unit for air
pressure.