Tire Education

Sidewall Story

OVERVIEW

UTQG

The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) is a system developed by the Department of Transportation which helps consumers compare tires in the areas of treadwear traction and temperature. Here is an example: a tire with a UTQG of 300 AB. The 300 is treadwear, which represents the tire's comparative wear when measured against the government-mandated tire which is rated at 100. So this tire wore three times longer than the control tire. Because of variations in operating conditions, the treadwear grade cannot be used to predict actual wear out mileage; it can be used to predict the relative wear rate of tires with different UTQG wear rates. Traction and temperature are graded A (superior), B (good) or C (average). Traction indicates the level of grip the tire possesses.

Temperature rating deals with the tire’s ability to disperse built-up heat. Heat causes rubber to deteriorate over time, so dispersing heat increases tire life.

Each tire manufacturer determines UTQG ratings for their products.

If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

TEMPERATURE
The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.

If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

TEMPERATURE

The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel.

If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

TRACTION

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

If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

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 track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test course under specified test conditions as one graded 100. It is wrong to link treadwear grades with your projected tire mileage. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.

If you have any questions, please contact your local tire dealer or call our toll-free hotline at 1-800-854-6288.

Passenger Tires

Passenger tires are primarily equipped on normal passenger cars, station wagons and mini vans.

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Light Truck Tires

Light Truck tires are placed on full size pick-up trucks, full-size vans and SUVs to match the vehicles load carrying capability.

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SUV Tires

SUV tires are designed for use on SUV, 4x4 and light duty pickups.

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Commercial Tires

Commercial tires are equipped on over-the-road, cargo vehicles including tractor trailer rigs and straight trucks.

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