Tread Wear
The tread wear 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-a-half times as well on
the government course as a tire graded 100.
The relative performance of tires depends upon the
actual conditions of their use. However,
performance may differ from the norm because of
variations in driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and climate.
These grades are molded on the side-walls of
passenger vehicle tires. The tires available as
standard or optional equipment on Kia vehicles
may vary with respect to grade.
Maintenance
7-50
Traction – A, B & C
The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A,
B and C. The grades represent the tire’s 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 – A, B & C
The temperature grades are A (the highest),
B and C.The grades represent the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate
heat when tested under controlled conditions on a
specified laboratory test wheel. Sustained high
temperature can cause the material of the tire to
degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive
temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. 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 A and B represent higher levels of
performance on the laboratory test wheel than the
minimum required by the law.
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