Maintenance
428
Tires and wheels
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
vehicle tires must meet under the
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety
Standard No. 109. Grades B and
A represent higher levels of per
-
formance on the laboratory test
wheel than the minimum
required by law.
Tire terminology and defini
-
tions
Refer to the following for detailed
definitions of the terms that are
found in the tire description.
Air Pressure
The amount of air
inside the tire pressing outward
on the tire. Air pressure is
expressed in pounds per square
inch (psi) or kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight
The com
-
bined weight of optional acces
-
sories. Some examples of
optional accessories are auto
-
matic transmission, power seats,
and air conditioning.
Aspect Ratio
The relationship of
a tire's height to its width.
Belt
A rubber coated layer of
cords that is located between the
plies and the tread. Cords may
be made from steel or other rein
-
forcing materials.
Bead
The tire bead contains steel
wires wrapped by steel cords
that hold the tire onto the rim.
Bias Ply Tire
A pneumatic tire in
which the plies are laid at alter
-
nate angles less than 90 degrees
to the centerline of the tread.
Cold Tire Pressure
The amount
of air pressure in a tire, mea
-
sured in pounds per square inch
(psi) or kilopascals (kPa) before a
tire has built up heat from driv
-
ing.
Curb Weight
The weight of a
motor vehicle with standard and
optional equipment (including
the maximum capacity of fuel, oil
and coolant), but without pas
-
sengers and cargo.
DOT Markings
A code molded
into the sidewall of a tire signify
-
ing that the tire is in compliance
with the U.S. Department of
Transportation motor vehicle
safety standards. The DOT code
includes the Tire Identification
Number (TIN), an alphanumeric
designator which can also iden
-
tify the tire manufacturer, pro
-
duction plant, brand and date of
production.
GVWR
Gross Vehicle Weight
Rating
GAWR FRT
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the Front axle.
GAWR RR
Gross Axle Weight
Rating for the Rear axle.