J- Maximum Load Rating. This number indicates the
maximum load in kilograms and pounds that can be
carried by the tire.
K- Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure. This number
is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be
put in the tire under normal driving conditions.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQGS)
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section
width. 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 would wear one and one-half
(11⁄2) 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.
Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based
on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not
include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
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
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
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.
40
Additional Information on Light Truck Tires
Tires for light trucks have other markings besides those
found on the sidewalls of passenger tires. See Figure 37
and the information following.
37
B
A
E
A- The "LT" indicates the tire is for light trucks. An "ST" is
an indication the tire is for trailer use only.
B- Load Range. This information identifies the tire's load-
carrying capabilities and its inflation limits.
C- Maximum Load Dual. This information indicates the
maximum load and tire pressure when the tire is used as
a dual, that is, when four tires are put on each rear axle (a
total of six or more tires on the vehicle).*
D- The "M+S" or "M/S" indicates that the tire has some
mud and snow capability. Most radial tires have these
markings; hence, they have some mud and snow
capability.
E- This information indicates the maximum load and tire
pressure when the tire is used as a single.*
*Note: Maximum load is presented in kilograms and
pounds (kg/ lbs). Maximum tire pressure is presented
in kilopascals and pounds per square inch (kPa/psi) for
when the tire is cold.
Tire Safety Tips
Preventing Tire Damage
•
Slow down if you have to go over a pothole or other
object in the road.
•
Do not run over curbs of foreign objects in the
roadway, and try not to strike the curb when parking.
Tire Safety Checklist
•
Check tire pressure regularly (at least once a month),
including the spare.
C
D
B
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