Treadwear question...
maverick530i
10-17-2004, 09:09 AM
Hi,
I just bought a set of Falken Ziex 512 tires for my BMW. Just wondering what the treadwear meant to I can calculate how long they are going to last me. The treadwear is 420, the temp is A and the traction is A. If anyone knows any good websites it would be much appreciated. I already asked Jeeves btw.
Thanks.
I just bought a set of Falken Ziex 512 tires for my BMW. Just wondering what the treadwear meant to I can calculate how long they are going to last me. The treadwear is 420, the temp is A and the traction is A. If anyone knows any good websites it would be much appreciated. I already asked Jeeves btw.
Thanks.
Alastor187
10-17-2004, 11:31 AM
Hi,
I just bought a set of Falken Ziex 512 tires for my BMW. Just wondering what the treadwear meant to I can calculate how long they are going to last me. The treadwear is 420, the temp is A and the traction is A. If anyone knows any good websites it would be much appreciated. I already asked Jeeves btw.
Thanks.
The following measurments are relative, i.e. "A" is better than "B" but they dont give a specefic measurment of the tire. This is because no two tires are exactly the same, tires differ between manfuactures, models, and even batchs.
From: http://www.tiresafety.com/size_class/size_nav3.htm
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
Quality grading is designed to make the tire purchase decision easier for you. Ideally, the system is intended to provide simple, comparative data which you can use in making an intelligent buying decision. However, the ratings are based upon test results achieved under very special conditions. As a result, misinterpreting the comparative data as it relates to your particular driving habits, conditions, etc., is a possibility. You should still rely upon your service or tire professional for assistance.
Quality grading designates the comparative performance levels of a tire based upon government-specified tests, but commissioned by the individual tire manufacturers. All tire manufacturers and brand name owners are required to grade regular and all season passenger tires in three categories:
UTQG
1. Treadwear
2. Traction
3. Temperature
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 to 6,000 miles(9600Km). For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a 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.
TRACTION AA, A, B, C
The traction grades from highest to lowest, are AA (the highest) A, B, and C and they represent the 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 will have the lowest traction performance.
WARNING:
THE TRACTION GRADE ASSIGNED IS BASED ON A WET BRAKING (STRAIGHT AHEAD) TRACTION TEST AND DOES NOT INCLUDE CORNERING (TURNING) TRACTION.
TEMPERATURE A, B, C
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, representing 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 tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car 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.
WARNING:
THE TEMPERATURE GRADE 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 BUILDUP AND POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE
I just bought a set of Falken Ziex 512 tires for my BMW. Just wondering what the treadwear meant to I can calculate how long they are going to last me. The treadwear is 420, the temp is A and the traction is A. If anyone knows any good websites it would be much appreciated. I already asked Jeeves btw.
Thanks.
The following measurments are relative, i.e. "A" is better than "B" but they dont give a specefic measurment of the tire. This is because no two tires are exactly the same, tires differ between manfuactures, models, and even batchs.
From: http://www.tiresafety.com/size_class/size_nav3.htm
Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
Quality grading is designed to make the tire purchase decision easier for you. Ideally, the system is intended to provide simple, comparative data which you can use in making an intelligent buying decision. However, the ratings are based upon test results achieved under very special conditions. As a result, misinterpreting the comparative data as it relates to your particular driving habits, conditions, etc., is a possibility. You should still rely upon your service or tire professional for assistance.
Quality grading designates the comparative performance levels of a tire based upon government-specified tests, but commissioned by the individual tire manufacturers. All tire manufacturers and brand name owners are required to grade regular and all season passenger tires in three categories:
UTQG
1. Treadwear
2. Traction
3. Temperature
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 to 6,000 miles(9600Km). For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a 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.
TRACTION AA, A, B, C
The traction grades from highest to lowest, are AA (the highest) A, B, and C and they represent the 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 will have the lowest traction performance.
WARNING:
THE TRACTION GRADE ASSIGNED IS BASED ON A WET BRAKING (STRAIGHT AHEAD) TRACTION TEST AND DOES NOT INCLUDE CORNERING (TURNING) TRACTION.
TEMPERATURE A, B, C
The temperature grades are A, B, and C, representing 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 tire failure. The grade C corresponds to a level of performance which all passenger car 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.
WARNING:
THE TEMPERATURE GRADE 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 BUILDUP AND POSSIBLE TIRE FAILURE
Grant@Tirerack
10-18-2004, 08:33 AM
In a nutshell, the UTQG treadwear numbering system is flawed at best. Each tire company tests against a base tire to come up with that number. No two companies use the same base tire for testing. Some use different base tires for each tire performance category. It does not directly relate to actual tire wear in the real world or to the wear of other brand tires.
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