- UTQG
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) in 49 CFR 575.104.Components
The UTQG rating is made up of 3 components:
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 track. A tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government test course under specified test conditions as one graded 100. It is wrong to link treadwear grades with your projected tire mileage. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.
Traction
Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. They represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
Temperature
The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat.
References
* [http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tiretech/techpage.jsp?techid=48 UTQG explanation] at tirerack.com
* [http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/TireSafety/ridesonit/brochure.html sidewall markings explained] by the NHTSA
* [http://www.safercar.gov/ SaferCar.gov] - U.S. Government service to look up treadwear grades on different tires
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
