266
Minor Repairs
Treadwear
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating
based on the wear rate of the tire when tested
under controlled conditions on a specific
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 variations 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 and they 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.
Information
The traction grade assigned to this is based on
braking (straight-ahead) traction tests and does
not include cornering (turned) traction,
acceleration, 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 temperatures 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 passenger car 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.
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 buildup and possible
tire failure.
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Do not exceed the permitted maximum speed
for the tires fitted to the vehicle.
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Ensure that the tires are set to the correct
inflation pressure.
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Observe the maximum load for the vehicle.
Tire pressures
Driving the vehicle with low tire pressure increases
risk of a tire failure and resulting loss of control.
Furthermore, low tire pressure increases rate of
wear of the affected tires and causes damage.
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Always use an accurate tire pressure gauge
when checking inflation pressures.
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Do not exceed the maximum tire pressure
listed on the tire sidewall. (Also refer to
“Technical data”).
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Please see the chapter “TIRE PRESSURE
PLATE” on page 268.
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Cold tire inflation pressure means: all tires
must be cold, ambient temperature maximum
68 °F (20 °C), when adjusting the inflation
pressure. Avoid sunlight striking the tires
before measuring cold pressures, since the
pressures would rise from temperature
influence.
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Valve caps protect the valve from dust and dirt,
and thus from leakage. Always screw caps
tightly down. Replace missing caps
immediately.
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Use only plastic valve caps.
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For safety reasons, don't use tire inflating
bottles.
Tire Abuse
WARNING
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Low Tire Pressure
DANGER
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