Wheels and tires – FORD 2014 Fusion v.3 User Manual

Page 267

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the government course as a tire

graded 100. The relative

performance of tires depends

upon the actual conditions of their

use, however, and may depart
significantly from the norm due to
variations in driving habits, service
practices, and differences in road
characteristics and climate.

Traction AA A B C

WARNING

The traction grade assigned
to this tire is based on

straight-ahead braking traction

tests, and does not include

acceleration, cornering,

hydroplaning or peak traction

characteristics.

The traction grades, from highest
to lowest are AA, A, B, and C. The

grades represent the tire’s ability

to stop on wet pavement as

measured under controlled

conditions on specified
government test surfaces of

asphalt and concrete. A tire
marked C may have poor traction

performance.

Temperature A B C

WARNING

The temperature grade for

this tire is established for a

tire that is properly inflated and
not overloaded. Excessive speed,
underinflation, or excessive
loading, either separately or in
combination, can cause heat
buildup and possible tire failure.

The temperature grades are A
(the highest), B and C,
representing the tire’s resistance
to the generation of heat and its

ability to dissipate heat when

tested under controlled conditions

on a specified indoor laboratory
test wheel. Sustained high

temperature can cause the

material of the tire to degenerate

and reduce tire life, and excessive

temperature can lead to sudden
tire failure. The grade C

corresponds to a level of

performance which all passenger
car tires must meet under the

Federal Motor Vehicle Safety

Standard No. 139. Grades B and A

represent higher levels of

performance on the laboratory

test wheel than the minimum
required by law.

Glossary of Tire Terminology

* Tire label: A label showing the
original equipment tire sizes,
recommended inflation pressure
and the maximum weight the
vehicle can carry.

264

Fusion (CC7) , enUSA

Wheels and Tires

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