Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
The Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG) is a system
developed by the Department of Transportation which helps
consumers compare tires in the areas of treadwear traction
and temperature. Here is an example: a tire with a UTQG of
300 AB. The 300 is treadwear, which represents the tire's
comparative wear when measured against the
government-mandated tire which is rated at 100. So this tire
wore three times longer than the control tire. Because of
variations in operating conditions, the treadwear grade
cannot be used to predict actual wear out mileage; it can be
used to predict the relative wear rate of tires with
different UTQG wear rates. Traction and temperature are
graded A (superior), B (good) or C (average). Traction
indicates the level of grip the tire possesses.
Temperature rating deals with the tire’s ability to disperse
built-up heat. Heat causes rubber to deteriorate over time,
so dispersing heat increases tire life.
Each tire manufacturer determines UTQG ratings for their
products
