1996 Buick Century Owner's Manual

TreadwearThe treadwear grade is a comparative rating based onthe wear rate of the tire when tested under controlledconditions on a specified government test course. Forexample, a tire graded 150 would wear one and a half(1 1/2) times as well on the government course as a tiregraded 100. The relative performance of tires dependsupon the actual conditions of their use, however, andmay depart significantly from the norm due to variationsin driving habits, service practices and differences inroad characteristics and climate.Traction -- A, B, CThe traction grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B, andC, and they represent the tire’s ability to stop on wetpavement as measured under controlled conditions onspecified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete.A tire marked C may have poor traction performance.Warning: The traction grade assigned to this tire is basedon braking (straightahead) traction tests and does notinclude cornering (turning) traction.Temperature -- A, B, CThe temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C,representing the tire’s resistance to the generation ofheat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested undercontrolled conditions on a specified indoor laboratorytest wheel. Sustained high temperature can cause thematerial of the tire to degenerate and reduce tire life, andexcessive temperature can lead to sudden tire failure.The grade C corresponds to a level of performancewhich all passenger car tires must meet under theFederal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. GradesB and A represent higher levels of performance on thelaboratory test wheel than the minimum required by law.Warning: The temperature grade for this tire isestablished for a tire that is properly inflated and notoverloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation, orexcessive loading, either separately or in combination,can cause heat buildup and possible tire failure.Wheel Alignment and Tire BalanceThe wheels on your vehicle were aligned and balancedcarefully at the factory to give you the longest tire lifeand best overall performance.6-43