2001 Mercury Cougar Owner Guide 2nd Printing - Page 231

Maintenance and care INFORMATION ABOUT UNIFORM TIRE QUALITY GRADING New vehicles are fitted with tires that have a rating on them called Tire Quality Grades. The Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For example: • Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A These Tire Quality Grades are determined by standards that the United States Department of Transportation has set. Tire Quality Grades apply to new pneumatic tires for use on passenger cars. They do not apply to deep tread, winterĆtype snow tires, spaceĆsaver or temporary use spare tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches or limited production tires as defined in Title 49 Code of Federal Regulation Part 575.104(c)(2). U.S. Department of TransportationĆTire quality grades: The U.S. Department of Transportation requires Ford to give you the following information about tire grades exactly as the government has written it.