1997 Mercury Mountaineer Owner's Manual - Page 160

Maintenance and care Temperature A B C The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These grades represent the tire's resistance to the generation of 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 failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger tires must meet under the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades A and B represent higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law. The temperature grade for this tire is established for a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded. Excessive speed, under inflation, or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat build up and possible tire failure. SERVICING YOUR TIRES Checking the tire pressure Check the tire pressure at least once a month or after rotating tires and inflate tires as necessary. Tire pressure is most accurate 160