Nissan Versa: Technical and consumer information for your Nissan Versa - Uniform tire quality grading

DOT (Department of Transportation) Quality Grades: All passenger car tires mounted on your Nissan Versa must conform to strict federal safety requirements in addition to these official quality grades.

These comparative quality grades can typically be found where applicable on the tire sidewall situated between the tread shoulder and the maximum section width. For example:

Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A

Treadwear

The treadwear grade is a comparative numerical rating based directly on the measured wear rate of the tire when tested under strictly controlled conditions on a specified government test course. For example, a tire graded 150 would wear one and one-half (1 1/2) times as well on the official government course as a baseline tire graded 100.

However, the relative real-world performance of tires depends heavily upon the actual day-to-day conditions of their use, and may depart significantly from the standard norm due to variations in individual driving habits, routine service practices, and differences in local road characteristics and regional climate.

WARNING

The traction grade assigned to this tire is based strictly on straight-ahead braking traction tests, and does not evaluate or include acceleration, cornering stability, hydroplaning resistance, or peak cornering traction characteristics.

Temperature A, B and C

The temperature grades are categorized as A (representing the highest performance), B, and C, which represent the tire's overall resistance to the generation of internal heat and its proven ability to dissipate heat effectively when tested under controlled conditions on a specified indoor laboratory test wheel. Sustained high operating temperatures can cause the rubber material of the tire to degenerate and reduce overall tire life span, while excessive temperatures can lead to sudden, catastrophic tire failure. Grade C corresponds to the baseline level of performance which all standard passenger car tires must meet under Federal Motor Safety Standard No. 109. Higher grades B and A represent significantly higher levels of performance on the laboratory test wheel than the absolute minimum required by law.

WARNING

The temperature grade established for this tire applies exclusively to a tire that is properly inflated to recommended pressures and is not overloaded. Excessive driving speed, tire under-inflation, or excessive vehicle loading—either separately or in hazardous combination—can cause rapid internal heat build-up and possible sudden tire failure.