What to Know About Tire Tread, Traction & Temperature Grades

Check your tires. Your tires’ sidewalls, to be more specific. Your tires have grades! These alphabetical or numerical grades, similar to a school report card, tell you how efficient and capable you potentially are. Tires are graded by tire manufacturers. Grades follow a global standard set by the American Uniform Quality Grading (UTQG) system. Such grades help car enthusiasts, and general consumers compare and contrast based on three distinct characteristics: treadwear, traction, and temperature.

Grading A Tire’s 3 T’s

1. Treadwear Grade

• Numerical form 

• Is a rough score of a tire’s longevity (e.g.,with a treadwear grade of 300 represents the comparative wear when measured against an industry baseline, rated at 100, means the rated at 400 would potentially wear four times longer than the industry baseline)
• Must be taken with a “grain of salt” as manufacturers can increase or lower their’ grades depending on the manufacturers’ confidence in their.

2. Traction Grade

• Alphabetical form (from the highest quality to lowest quality: AA, A, B, C)
• Corresponds to the level of grip the possess
• Determined by’ ability to stop during a controlled wet stopping test
• The UTQG system for grading traction does not cover wet cornering, dry cornering, dry braking, or high-speed hydroplaning

3. Temperature Grade

• Alphabetical form (graded A for superior, B for good, and C for average)
• Corresponds to the ‘ ability to resist heat and dissipate heat build-up
• Tires with high-temperature grades will disperse heat better than ones with low-temperature grades 
• If tires are unable to disperse the heat effectively or if are unable to resist the deteriorating effects of heat buildup, their capability to run at high speeds is reduced (heat is what causes a to deteriorate over time)

Your grades can be found on the label, fixed on the tread, and cut onto the sidewall. It is important to note that one must only compare from the same manufacturer to get a more accurate grade comparison. Manufacturers compare their ‘ test results against industry benchmarks and standards to ensure their manufacturers meet the minimum industry-wide quality and safety standards. Triangle Tires in the Philippines ensures that you meet these international standards and requirements as well. 

In a vehicular utopia, all should have high grades for all three characteristics, but in real life, there are compromises. Tires with higher treadwear grades are more likely to have a lower traction grade, for example. However, grades should not be totally linked to daily performance. Daily performance is dependent on several things, such as service practices, driving habits, differences in terrain characteristics, and weather conditions. Therefore, grades must be thought of and considered heedfully to make your life and the many roads ahead as smooth as possible.