1998 Cadillac DeVille Owner's Manual - Page 333

~ ~~~~~~ ~ ____ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ .~ ~~~~~ ~ ~~~~~ ~ Treadwear The treadwear grade a comparative rating based on is the wear rate the tire when tested under controlled of conditions on a specified government test course. For example,,a tire graded would wearone and a 150 half (1 1/2) times as'well on the governmefit course as a tire graded100. The relative performance of tires depends upon actual conditionsof their use, the however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations driving habits, service practices in and differences in road characteristics and climate. heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause the material of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, and excessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure. of The gradeC corresponds to a level performance which all passenger car tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety StandardNo. 109. Grades B and A represent higher levelsof performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. 1 1 I Warning: The temperature gradefor this tire is ,established for a tire that is properly inflated and not Traction AA, A, B, C overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, or The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, excessive loading, either separately or in combination, B, and C . Those grades represent the tire's ability to stop can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure. on wet pavement as measured under controlled Wheel Alignment and Tire Balance conditionsonspecifiedgovernmenttestsurfaces of asphalt and concrete.A tire marked C may have poor The wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balanced traction performance. carefully at the factory to give you the longest tire life and best overall performance. Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is based on braking (straight ahead) traction tests and does not Scheduled wheel alignment and wheel balancing are not include acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, peak 'or needed. However, if younotice unusual tire wear or traction characteristics. your vehicle pulling one way or the other, the alignment may need to be reset. If you notice your vehicle Temperature A, B, C vibrating when driving on a smooth road, your wheels The temperature grades areA (the highest), B, and C, may need to be rebalanced. representing the tire's resistance to the generation of -- -- 6-46