NHTSA puts UTQG guide on its Web site

WASHINGTON (Sept. 27)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has added a consumer guide to the Uniform Tire Quality Grading System to its Web site, www.nhtsa.com. Listed in the "news" section of the Web site, the guide explains the significance of the UTQG treadwear, traction and temperature resistance grades. It warns that the traction grades are based on straight braking rather than cornering tests, and that temperature grades are compromised when a tire is underinflated or a vehicle is overloaded or speeding. The guide also offers links to a "UTQG Q&A" section, as well as to UTQG tables for nearly 140 nameplate and private brand tire labels.