Craftsman 0220 - Manual (Page 32)

load
range
light truck tire
Severe snow
conditions
Maximum load
& inflation when
used as a dual
Maximum load
& inflation when
used as a single
Load inflation
limits
federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was
manufactured, and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was
built. For example, the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other
numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This
information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.
Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used
The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the
tire. In general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support
Tire manufacturers also must indicate the materials in the tire, which include steel,
nylon, polyester, and others.
Maximum load Rating: This number indicates the maximum load in kilograms
and pounds that can be carried by the tire.
Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure: This number is the greatest amount
of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.
6.4.10.2 UTqGS Information
Tread-wear Number: This number indicates the tire’s wear rate. The higher the
tread-wear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. For
example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200.
Traction letter: This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. A
higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car 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”.
Temperature letter: This letter indicates a tire’s resistance to heat. The
temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and not overloaded.
Excessive speed, under inflation or excessive loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure. From highest to
lowest, a tire’s resistance to heat is graded as “A”, “B”, or “C”.
6.4.10.3. Additional Information on light Truck Tires
Please refer to the following diagram: