Temperature A, B or C
For example: Treadwear 200, Traction AA, Temperature A.
All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Safety Requirements in addition to these grades.
Treadwear
The treadwear 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 (Treadwear-value 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 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.
Temperature
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 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 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.
WARNING
The traction class assigned to this tire is based on traction tests when braking straight ahead and does not take account of the properties when accelerating,
driving around curves, hydroplaning or at maximum traction.
WARNING
The temperature class for this tire is based on a tire being inflated to the correct pressure and not being overinflated. Excess speeds, insufficient tire pressure,
and overinflation either alone or in combination can cause heat to build up and cause potential tire failure.
Tire load and vehicle load, determining the correct load
Vehicles and tires have a limited load capacity. An overloaded vehicle is difficult to steer and brakes less effectively. Overloading your vehicle can also cause
damage to the vehicle and tires, such as tire blowouts and sudden pressure losses.
To ensure your safety and the safety of your passengers, never exceed the maximum vehicle weight. This is specified as the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating
(GVWR).
The GVWR includes the weight of your vehicle including all additional equipment, a full fuel tank, all fluids and its maximum load. The maximum load includes the
number of people that can travel in the vehicle (number of seats) with an average weight of 150 lbs (68 kg) per person, and also luggage. In trailer mode, the weigh
of the trailer and the trailer tongue weight rating must be included in calculations.
The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) is the maximum axle load per axle. The GVWR and GAWR are listed on the safety certificate on the B-pillar on the
driver's side.
Your vehicle has either 4 (2 front, 2 rear), 5 (2 front, 3 rear), 6 (2 front, 2 center, 2 rear) or 7 (2 front, 3 center, 2 rear) seats, depending on the type of vehicle. Each
seat has a safety belt. As there is an upper limit to the GVWR, the maximum load also has an upper limit. Traveling with a full vehicle or with passengers heavier
than 150 lbs (68 kg) per person will reduce the remaining possible load.
The tire inflation pressure label for your vehicle also specifies the maximum weight.
Determining the correct tire load
Never overload tires. The followingexample illustrates how to determinethe combined weight of all vehicleoccupants and luggage or othervehicle payloads. Never
overload thevehicle!
Steps for Determining Correct Load Limit:
1.
2.
3.
Locate the statement “The combined weight of occupants and cargo should never exceed XXX kg or XXX lbs.” on your vehicle's placard.
Determine the combined weight of the driver and passengers that will be riding in your vehicle.
Subtract the combined weight of the driver and passengers from XXX kg or XXX lbs.
The resulting figure equals the available amount of cargo and luggage load capacity. For example, if the “XXX” amount equals 1400 lbs. and there
will be five 150 lb passengers in your vehicle, the amount of available cargo and luggage load capacity is 650 lbs. (1400–750 (5 × 150) = 650 lbs.)
4.
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