J. Tire Ply Composition and Material Used: Indicates the number of
plies or the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire tread and
sidewall. Tire manufacturers also must indicate the ply materials in the
tire and the sidewall, which include steel, nylon, polyester, and others.
K. Maximum Load: Indicates the maximum load in kilograms and
pounds that can be carried by the tire. Refer to the Safety Compliance
Certification Label (affixed to either the door hinge pillar, door-latch
post, or the door edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driverās
seating position), for the correct tire pressure for your vehicle.
L. Treadwear, Traction and Temperature 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 (1
1
ā
2
) times as well on the government
course as a tire graded 100.
⢠Traction: The traction grades, from highest to lowest are AA, A, B,
and C. The grades represent the tireās 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.
⢠Temperature: The temperature grades are A (the highest), B and C,
representing the tireās resistance to the generation of heat and its
ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified indoor laboratory test wheel.
M. Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure: Indicates the tire
manufacturersā maximum permissible pressure and/or the pressure at
which the maximum load can be carried by the tire. This pressure is
normally higher than the manufacturerās recommended cold inflation
pressure which can be found on the Safety Compliance Certification
Label (affixed to either the door hinge pillar, door-latch post, or the door
edge that meets the door-latch post, next to the driverās seating
position), or Tire Label which is located on the B-Pillar or the edge of
the driverās door. The cold inflation pressure should never be set lower
than the recommended pressure on the vehicle label.
The tire suppliers may have additional markings, notes or warnings such
as standard load, radial tubeless, etc.
346 Wheels and Tires
2013 Flex (471)
Owners Guide gf, 1st Printing
USA (fus)