-~_ T_ir_e_s_ a_n_ d_ w_ h_e_e_ ls _______________________________________________ _
Sidewall
means that portion of a tire between the tread and bead.
Speed rating (letter code)
means the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended
periods of time. The ratings range from 93 mph (150 km/h) to 186
mph (298 km/h) =>
page 296 . You may not find this information on
all tires because it is not required by law.
The speed rating letter code, where applicable, is mo lded on the tire
sidewall and indicates the maximum permissible road speeds =>
& in
"Winter tires" on page 299.
Tire pressure monitoring system*
means a system that detects when one or more of a vehicle's tires are
unde rinflated and illuminates a low tire pressu re warning te llta le.
Tread
means that portion of a tire that comes into contact with the road.
Tread separation
means pulling away of the tread from the tire carcass.
Treadwear indicators (TWI)
means the projections within the princ ipal grooves designed to give a
visual ind ication of the degrees of wear of the tread. See =>
page 293,
"Tread Wear Indicator (TWI)" for more information on measuring
tire wear.
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
is a tire informat ion system deve lop ed by the United States National
Highway Traff ic Safety Adm inistration (NHTSA) that is designed to
help buye rs make relative comparisons among t ires. The UTQG is not
a safety rating and not a guarantee that a tire will last for a prescribed
number of miles (kilometers) or perform in a certain way . It simp ly
gives tire buyers additional information to combine with other
considerations, such as price , brand loyalty and dea ler recommenda-
tions. Under UTQG, tires are graded by the tire manufacturers in three
areas: treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. The UTQG
info rmat ion on the tires, molded into the sidewalls.
U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number (TIN)
This is the tire 's "serial numbe r". It beg ins with the letters "DOT" and
ind icates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two
numbers or letters ind icate the plant where it was manufactu red, and
the last four numbers represent the week and year of manufacture.
For examp le,
DOT ... 2209 ...
means that the tire was produced in the 22nd week of 2009. The
ot her numbers are marketing codes that may or may not be used by
the t ire manufacturer. This informat ion is used to contact consumers
if a tire defect requires a reca ll.
Vehicle capacity weight
means the rated cargo and luggage load plus 150 lbs. (68 kilograms)
times the vehicle 's total seating capacity as listed on the label located
either on the driver's side B-pillar or on the ins ide of the fuel filler
flap.
Vehicle maximum load on the tire
means that load on an individual tire that is determined by distrib-
ut ing to each axle its share of t he max imum loaded vehicle weight
and dividing by two.
Vehicle normal load on the tire
means that load on an individual tire that is determined by distrib-
ut ing to each axle its share of the curb weight, accessory weight, and
normal occupant weight (distributed in accordance with tab le below
=>
page 287) and dividing by two.
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