How to Buy Tires Based on Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Uniform Tire Quality Grade testing (UTQG) was introduced by the United States federal government to help ensure road safety standards. This grade testing measures tread wear, traction and temperature performance. You can use uniform tire quality grading to find the safest quality tires for your car and do your part to keep your family safe on the road.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Look for the grading on the sidewall of the tire or on a tag attached to replacement tires for passenger vehicles. Tire quality grades are required for all passenger vehicle tires, with the exception of deep tread tires, snow tires, spare tires and tires with nominal rim diameters of less than 12 inches.

2. Look for a number over 100 for tread wear. The tread wear scores are proportional, so that the greater the score, the better the tread would wear in relation to a lower scored tire.

3. Look for a low letter grade for traction scores. Traction is scored from AA to C. The possible scores are AA, A, B and C, with AA being the best score.

4. Look for a lower letter grade for temperature performance scores. Temperature performance is scored from A to C. The possible scores are A, B and C, with A representing the best performance in extreme temperatures.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware that all tires must score a C or higher to be deemed safe before being produced for sale and use on passenger vehicles. Scores higher than C represent better than minimal standard performance.
• Realize that the traction testing tests only straight-ahead braking in wet conditions at a speed of 40 mph. Traction scores do not indicate cornering or hydroplaning performance.