Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects; Tire Information (U.S.A.)- Page 480

8–26

Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects

Tire Information (U.S.A.)

  Maximum  Permissible  Infl ation Pressure

    This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under 
normal driving conditions.

  Tread Wear, Traction and Temperature Grades

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 specifi ed 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.

Traction:

  The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The grades 

represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions 
on specifi ed 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 specifi ed indoor laboratory test wheel.

  Snow  Tires

    In some heavy snow areas, local governments may require true snow tires, those with very 
deeply cut tread. These tires should only be used in pairs or placed on all four wheels. Make 
sure you purchase snow tires that are the same size and construction type as the other tires 
on your vehicle.

  SAFETY  WARNING

    The following safety warning appears on the tire's sidewall.
  SERIOUS INJURY MAY RESULT FROM:

y

 EXPLOSION OF TIRE/RIM ASSEMBLY DUE TO IMPROPER MOUNTING-MATCH 

TIRE DIAMETER TO RIM DIAMETER; NEVER EXCEED 40 psi (275 kPa) TO SEAT 
BEADS-ONLY SPECIALLY TRAINED PERSONS SHOULD MOUNT TIRES.

y

 TIRE FAILURE DUE TO UNDER-INFLATION/OVERLOADING/DAMAGE-

FOLLOW OWNER'S MANUAL AND PLACARD IN VEHICLE-FREQUENTLY 
CHECK INFLATION PRESSURE AND INSPECT FOR DAMAGE.