DOT Tire Quality Grades
US Cars
The tires on all Honda cars meet Federal Safety Requirements. All tires
on the Accord are also "graded" according to Department of
Transportation (DOT) standards for tread wear, traction and temperature.
Tread Wear
The tread wear 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 one 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
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are 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.
The traction grades assigned are based on braking
(straight ahead) traction tests and do not include cornering
(turning) traction.
Three grades are
shown on the
tire side wall.
TIRE
WHEEL RIM
