About Tires
TIRE QUALITY GRADING
You may use the Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) system developed by the Department of Transportation to compare tire quality regarding treadwear, traction and temperature resistance. For example, let’s say a tire has a UTQG of 200 AB. The 200 represents treadwear, the tire’s comparative wear measured against the government-mandated tire which is rated at 100 under controlled conditions. A tire rating of 200 means the tread should be useful for twice as long as the control tire. While the treadwear grade cannot predict actual wear-out mileage due to variations in operating conditions, it can be used to predict the relative rate of the wear of a tire compared to tires with different UTQG wear rates. In general, grades for traction and temperature are: A (superior), B (good) or C (average).
Traction is the level of grip the tire possesses.
Temperature rating refers to the tire’s ability to dissipate built-up heat. Heat causes rubber to deteriorate over time, so superior heat dissipation increases tire life.
The individual tire manufacturer determines the UTQG ratings for their products.
TEMPERATURE GRADES
From highest to lowest, the temperature grades are either A, B, or C. These grades represent the tire’s resistance to heat when tested under controlled conditions in an indoor laboratory.
TRACTION GRADES
From highest to lowest, the traction grades are either AA, A, B, or C. These 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.
TREADWEAR GRADES
The treadwear grade is also determined under controlled conditions on a specified government test course. It is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested. As another example, a tire graded 300 would wear three times as long on the government test track under specified test conditions as one graded 100. However, treadwear grades are not necessarily a prediction of your tire mileage. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, maintenance and service practices, or differences in road characteristics and climate.
