WHAT IS UTQG


The Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (UTQGS) allows consumers to compare tire treadwear, traction performance, and temperature resistance. Tire manufacturers perform their own tests based on government prescribed procedures in all three areas and assign grades which are branded on the sidewall of each tire.

UTQG Treadwear Rating

Tire Labeling

All tires are assigned a treadwear grade based on their relative wear rate according to the results of field-testing. Tires are graded at an industry standard index of 100. The higher the treadwear number, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. For example, a tire assigned a grade of 400 should wear twice as long as a tire graded 200. Although treadwear grades indicate wear rate, they should not be linked to projected mileage. All tires are rated under specific driving conditions that may or may not match your driving style, climate, road conditions, tire pressure, etc.

 

UTQG Traction Rating

Tire Labeling

Traction grades are an indication of a locked tire's braking ability in a straight line on a wet road surface. A higher graded tire should allow a car to stop on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade. Traction is graded from highest to lowest as "AA", "A", "B", and "C".

During traction testing, wet cornering, turning, acceleration, hydroplane resistance and dry braking are not evaluated. Tires are graded based on straight ahead braking only.

 

UTQG Temperature Rating

Tire Labeling

Temperature grades indicate a tire's ability to dissipate heat under controlled test conditions. Sustained high temperature driving can cause a tire to deteriorate, leading to blowouts and tread separation. A tire’s heat resistance is graded from A to C, with A being the best.

Temperature grades are determined on properly inflated, correctly loaded tires.