- Never mount used tires on your vehicle if
you are not sure of their "previous histo-
ry." Old used tires may have been dam-
aged even though the damage cannot be
seen that can lead to sudden tire failure
and loss of vehicle control.
Glossary of tire and loading terminology
Accessory weight
means the comb ined weight (in excess of
those standard items which may be rep laced)
of automa tic tra nsmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power sea ts,
radio, and heater, to the extent that these
items are availab le as factory -installed eq uip-
ment (whether installed or not).
Aspect ratio
means the rat io of the height to the widt h of
the tire in percent. Numbers of 55 or lower in-
dicate a low sidewall for improved steer ing re-
sponse and better overall handling on dry
pavement.
Bead
means t he part of the t ire t hat is made of
steel wires, wrapped or reinforce d by ply cords
and that is shaped to fit the rim.
Bead separation
means a breakdown of the bond between
components in the bead.
Cord
means the strands forming the plies in the
tire.
Cold tire infl ation pressure
means t he tire pressure recommended by the
vehicle manufacturer for a t ire of a designated
size that has not been driven for more than a
couple of miles (kilometers) at low speeds in
the t hree hour period before the tire pressure
is measu red or adjusted.
Tire s an d wheel s 213
- If you notice unusua l vibration or if the
veh icle pulls to one side when driving, al-
ways stop as soon as it is safe to do so
and check the wheels and tires for dam-
age.
Curb weight
mea ns the weight of a motor vehicle wit h
standard equipment including t he maximum
capa city of fuel, oil, and coolant, air cond i-
tion ing and addi tional weig ht of optiona l
equipment .
Extra load tire
mea ns a t ire designed to operate at higher
loads and at highe r inflat ion pressu res tha n
th e corresponding standard tire. Extra load
tires my be ident ified as "XL", "xl", "EXTRA
LOAD", or "RF" on t he sidewall.
Gross Axle Weight Rating ("GAWR ")
mea ns the load-carry ing capac ity of a single
axle system, measured at the tire-ground in-
te rfaces.
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating ("GVWR")
means the maximum total loaded we ight of
the vehicle.
Groove
means the space between two adjacent tread
ribs.
Load rating (code)
means t he maximum load tha t a t ire is rated
to carry for a given inflation press ure. You
may not find this information on all tires be-
cause it is not required by law.
Maximum load rating
mean s the load rating for a tire at the maxi-
mum permissi ble inflat ion pressure for that
tire.
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