Nissan Frontier: Technical and consumer information - Uniform tire quality grading

DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality Grades: All passenger car tires must meet federal safety requirements in addition to the quality grades shown on the tire.

Where applicable, tire quality grades are molded into the tire sidewall between the tread shoulder and the maximum section width. For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

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 course. For example, a tire graded 150 would be expected to wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the government test course as a tire graded 100.

Actual tire performance on a Nissan Frontier can vary significantly from the rated comparison because real-world tire life depends on driving habits, road surfaces, maintenance practices, tire rotation, inflation pressure, alignment condition, load, and climate.

Traction AA, A, B and C

The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades indicate the tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement when tested under controlled conditions on specified government asphalt and concrete test surfaces. A tire marked C may provide reduced traction performance compared with higher-rated tires.

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based only on straight-ahead braking traction tests. It does not include acceleration, cornering ability, hydroplaning resistance, or peak traction characteristics under all driving conditions.

Temperature A, B and C

The temperature grades are A, B, and C, with A being the highest. These grades represent the tire’s resistance to heat generation and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause tire materials to deteriorate and shorten tire life, while excessive heat can lead to sudden tire failure. Grade C represents the minimum level of performance that all passenger car tires must meet under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades B and A indicate higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under-inflation, excessive loading, or a combination of these conditions can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure. For safe Nissan Frontier operation, always maintain correct tire pressure, avoid overloading, and inspect tires regularly.