The UTQG, the Uniform Tyre Quality Grading, was established to assist consumers in their purchase of tyres. Under UTQG, manufacturers use three criteria to grade tyres: treadwear, traction and temperature. The information is right where you need it when buying the tyre:

• On the paper label affixed to the tread
• On the tyre molded into the sidewall

The tread wear grade is a comparative rating based on the wear of a tyre when tested carefully under controlled conditions. Actual treadwear performance can vary tremendously according to the tyre’s real-world use, depending on the driving habits, service practices (most importantly air pressure maintenance), road conditions and climate.

Traction grades represent the tyre’s ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on asphalt and concrete test surfaces. As of 1997, the traction grades from highest to lowest are “AA”,”A”,”B” and “C”.

Temperature grades represent a tyre’s resistance to heat and its ability to dissipate heat when tested under controlled laboratory test conditions. The grades from highest to lowest are “A”,”B” and “C”.