UTQG Standard
Compare and rate tires on three key factors: Treadwear, Traction, and Temperature resistance.
Have you ever heard of the Uniform Tire Quality Grade (UTQG) standards? It's a system developed by the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) to help consumers compare and rate tires on three key factors: treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.
Treadwear
This is a measure of how long a tire is expected to last. The UTQG treadwear grade is based on a comparison of the tire to a standard reference tire.
A tire with a treadwear grade of 100 is expected to last as long as the reference tire, while a tire with a treadwear grade of 200 is expected to last twice as long.
Traction
Traction is a measure of a tire's ability to grip the road in wet and icy conditions. The UTQG traction grade is based on a test that measures the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement.
A tire with a traction grade of A will stop shorter than a tire with a traction grade of C.
Temperature resistance
Temperature resistance is a measure of a tire's ability to withstand high temperatures without melting or delaminating.
The UTQG temperature resistance grade is based on a test that measures the tire's ability to withstand heat.
A tire with a temperature resistance grade of A can withstand higher temperatures than a tire with a temperature resistance grade of C.
The UTQG grades are molded into the sidewall of your tires. They are a three-digit code, with the first digit representing treadwear, the second digit representing traction, and the third digit representing temperature resistance. For example, a tire with the UTQG code 200A means that it has a treadwear grade of 200, a traction grade of A, and a temperature resistance grade of A.
The UTQG grades are an important tool for consumers to use when choosing tires. By understanding the UTQG grades, you can be sure to choose tires that will meet your needs and provide you with safe and reliable performance.
Here are some additional tips for choosing tires based on the UTQG grades:
If you drive a lot of miles, you will want to choose tires with a high treadwear grade.
If you live in an area with wet or icy winters, you will want to choose tires with a high traction grade.
If you drive in hot climates, you will want to choose tires with a high temperature resistance grade.
