Treadwear?
09-14-2011, 11:44 AM
#2
If you don't care about all that just look for the wear bars.
09-14-2011, 03:33 PM
#5
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tread depth guidelines;
Below 6/32" = snow capabilty is limited at best
Below 4/32" = wet traction is limited
at or Below 2/32" = tire is legally worn out and needs to be replaced.
Below 6/32" = snow capabilty is limited at best
Below 4/32" = wet traction is limited
at or Below 2/32" = tire is legally worn out and needs to be replaced.
Last edited by doc@tirerack; 09-14-2011 at 03:49 PM.
09-14-2011, 05:49 PM
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The term "low profile" doesn't really mean anything. Any tire with a shorter sidewall than another would be considered low profile. Just wanted to get that out.
Some tires have more tread than others when new, just depends on the type of tire and manufacturer but as stated above, there are guidelines to follow that cover all tires for low depth.
When shopping for tires- if you notice the "treadwear" of a tire is lower than another brand of tire, that also doesn't really mean anything. Brand X may say that treadwear 100 is the best, while brand Y may say 400 is the best. So comparing that number between brands as a deciding factor shouldn't be taken into consideration. If same brand, then yes- that number would be relevant.
I hope I didn't confuse anyone.
Some tires have more tread than others when new, just depends on the type of tire and manufacturer but as stated above, there are guidelines to follow that cover all tires for low depth.
When shopping for tires- if you notice the "treadwear" of a tire is lower than another brand of tire, that also doesn't really mean anything. Brand X may say that treadwear 100 is the best, while brand Y may say 400 is the best. So comparing that number between brands as a deciding factor shouldn't be taken into consideration. If same brand, then yes- that number would be relevant.
I hope I didn't confuse anyone.
09-14-2011, 06:42 PM
#8
Generally the higher the number the longer it will last and the harder the rubber is. However like the other guy pointed out its not always a great comparison between brands. It has nothing to do with the actual tread depth which is what we were thinking you meant.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTreadwear.dos
The US Government has established the UTQG, the Uniform Tire Quality Grading, to assist consumers in their purchase of tires. Basically it's another tool to be used besides the opinions you gather from trusted friends, mechanics and whatever other sources you may have at your disposal. The key to using this system is to understand that it is a relative comparison system. The UTQG is not a safety rating and not a guarantee that a tire will last for a prescribed number of miles. Under UTQG, manufacturers use three criteria to grade tires: treadwear, traction and temperature. The information is right where you need it when buying the tire:
On the paper label affixed to the tread
On the tire molded into the sidewall
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tire when tested carefully under controlled conditions. For example the useful tread on a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200. However, another tire manufacturer may grade a comparable design 300, so a grade of 150 would last just half as long under their grading scheme. The lesson learned is to not use one manufacturer's grade versus the other, but instead to compare tire grades within a given brand. Actual treadwear performance can vary tremendously according to the tire's real-world use. Variations in driving habits, service practices (most importantly air pressure maintenance), road conditions and climate affect tire life.
Traction grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on asphalt and concrete test surfaces. As of 1997, the traction grades from highest to lowest are "AA","A","B" and "C". A tire graded "AA" may have relatively better traction performance than a tire graded lower, based on straight-ahead braking tests. The grades do not take into consideration the cornering or turning performance of a tire.
Temperature grades represent a tire's resistance to heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled laboratory test conditions. The grades from highest to lowest are "A","B" and "C". The grade "C" corresponds to the minimum performance required by federal safety standard. Therefore, the "A" tire is the coolest running, and even though the "C" tire runs hotter it does not mean it is unsafe. The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
http://www.discounttire.com/dtcs/infoTreadwear.dos
The US Government has established the UTQG, the Uniform Tire Quality Grading, to assist consumers in their purchase of tires. Basically it's another tool to be used besides the opinions you gather from trusted friends, mechanics and whatever other sources you may have at your disposal. The key to using this system is to understand that it is a relative comparison system. The UTQG is not a safety rating and not a guarantee that a tire will last for a prescribed number of miles. Under UTQG, manufacturers use three criteria to grade tires: treadwear, traction and temperature. The information is right where you need it when buying the tire:
On the paper label affixed to the tread
On the tire molded into the sidewall
The treadwear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tire when tested carefully under controlled conditions. For example the useful tread on a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200. However, another tire manufacturer may grade a comparable design 300, so a grade of 150 would last just half as long under their grading scheme. The lesson learned is to not use one manufacturer's grade versus the other, but instead to compare tire grades within a given brand. Actual treadwear performance can vary tremendously according to the tire's real-world use. Variations in driving habits, service practices (most importantly air pressure maintenance), road conditions and climate affect tire life.
Traction grades represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on asphalt and concrete test surfaces. As of 1997, the traction grades from highest to lowest are "AA","A","B" and "C". A tire graded "AA" may have relatively better traction performance than a tire graded lower, based on straight-ahead braking tests. The grades do not take into consideration the cornering or turning performance of a tire.
Temperature grades represent a tire's resistance to heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled laboratory test conditions. The grades from highest to lowest are "A","B" and "C". The grade "C" corresponds to the minimum performance required by federal safety standard. Therefore, the "A" tire is the coolest running, and even though the "C" tire runs hotter it does not mean it is unsafe. The temperature grade is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.
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