TIRE BASICS
   

Prorated Road Hazard Warranty
If a tire is injured and is non repairable due to a road hazard impact, the tire will be replaced at a prorated price down to 2/32nds of remaining tread. Prorated price under the road hazard warranty is based upon the percentage of remaining tread compared to the original tire tread depth less 2/32nds

Example: Original tread depth was 14/32nds. Injured tire tread depth is 6/32nds. Prorated price of the replacement tire will be 50% of the current retail price. (14/32nds - 2/32nds = 12/32nds; 6/32nds is 50% of 12/32nds)

Prorated price applies to the replacement tire only and does not apply to necessary labor charges such as mounting and balancing. Applicable sales tax and disposal fees will still apply and may vary by location. Proof of purchase may be required by the dealer before the prorated road hazard warranty is honored.

Load Index and Speed Ratings
The load index and speed ratings are specified by the vehicle manufacturer and represent the amount of weight and speed a tire must be able to support. The rating for replacement tires must be equal to or greater than the vehicle manufacturer's specifications.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading ("UTQG") standards are intended to assist you in making an informed choice in your purchase of passenger car tires by providing information indicating relative performance in the areas of tread wear, wet stopping traction, and temperature resistance. All passenger car tires must conform to federal safety requirements in addition to these 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 track. For example, a tire graded 200 would wear twice as long on the government course as a tire 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
    The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C, and 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.
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    WARNING: The traction grade assigned to tires is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction.
  • Temperature
    The temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C, representing the tire's resistance to the generation of heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the materials of the tire to 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 car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.
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    WARNING: The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, or excessive loading either separately or in combination can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.
  • DOT Quality Grades
    All passenger car tires must conform to Federal Requirements in addition to these grades.

More Information
The following websites may provide more valuable information to help insure your saftey on the road.
Rma.org
Safecar.gov

   
   

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