Nissan Altima Quiz
Technical data and consumer information

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

In this manual: Technical data and consumer information
Foreword — 1Nissan Customer Assistance Program — 1Illustrated Table of Contents — 8Safety - Seats, Seat Belts and Supplemental Restraint System — 28Controls and instruments — 50Pre-Start Checks and Adjustments — 43Monitor, Climate, Audio, Phone and Voice Recognition Systems — 90Starting and driving — 37In an Emergency — 12Appearance and care — 17Maintenance and owner do-it-yourself — 37Technical data and consumer information — 24Using the multi-function display — 1Start-up Display — 1Settings — 1Multi-function display warnings and indicators — 1Changing the Display — 1How to Park Using the Predicted Course Lines — 1Screen Settings — 1Driving tips — 1Moving Object Detection System (if equipped) — 1Blind Spot Warning System Operation — 1Blind Spot Warning system driving situations — 1Lane Departure Warning system operation — 1Camera Maintenance — 1Headlights — 1Fog Lights (if equipped) — 1Parking Lights and Turn Signal Lights — 1
~2min read

DOT (Department of Transportation) quality grades: in addition to the grades listed below, all passenger car tires must comply with federal safety requirements.

Depending on the tire, the quality grade is shown on the sidewall, between the tread shoulder and the maximum section width of the tire. For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A (tread wear 200, traction AA, temperature A)

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative estimate based on the wear rate of the tested tire under controlled conditions on a government-specified test course.

For example, on the government test course, a tire graded 150 will have a wear resistance one and a half (1 1/2) times that of a tire graded 100. However, the relative performance of tires depends on actual driving conditions and may differ significantly from the standard due to differences in driving habits, maintenance practices, road surfaces, and climate.

Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These grades represent the tire's ability to stop the vehicle on wet pavement under controlled conditions on asphalt and concrete test surfaces. A tire graded C may have poor traction.

WARNING

The traction grade of this tire is based on straight-line braking traction tests and does not take into account acceleration, cornering, hydroplaning, or peak traction characteristics.

Temperature A, B, and C

Temperature grades are A (the highest), B, and C. They represent a tire's resistance to heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under specific laboratory conditions. Sustained high temperatures can cause the tire material to degrade and shorten the tire's useful life. Excessive temperature can cause sudden tire failure. Grade C corresponds to the performance required for passenger car tires under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 109.

Grades B and A represent higher performance than the legal minimum, as measured in laboratory tests.

WARNING

The temperature grade for this tire type is based on a tire that is properly inflated and not overloaded.

Extreme conditions such as excessive vehicle speed, underinflation, or overloading, alone or in combination, can cause tires to overheat and fail.

Test yourself

A quick Nissan Altima quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.