1999 Subaru Legacy Owner's Manual - Page 397

For U.S.A. The following information has been compiled according to Code of Federal Regulations "Title 49, Part 575". Uniform tire quality grading standards This information indicates the relative performance of passenger car tires in the area of treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance. This is to aid the consumer in making an informed choice in the purchase of tires. These grades are molded in the sidewall of the tire and can be interpreted by referring to the following information: J 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 wear one and one-half (1-1/2) times as well on the government course as a tire graded 100. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use, however, and may depart significantly from the norm due to variations in driving habits, service practices and differences in road characteristics and climate. J Traction A, B, C The traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C, and they represent a tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. A tire marked C may have poor traction performance. WARNING The traction grade assigned to a tire is based on braking (straightahead) traction tests and does not include cornering (turning) traction. 12-2