Multiquip MP200SDLSM Tire Safety, Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards UTQGS, Speed Rating

P:The “P” indicates the tire is for passenger vehicles.

Next number: This three-digit number gives the width in millimeters of the tire from sidewall edge to sidewall edge. In general, the larger the number, the wider the tire.

Next number: This two-digit number, known as the aspect ratio, gives the tire’s ratio of height to width. Numbers of 70 or lower indicate a short sidewall for improved steering response and better overall handling on dry pavement.

P:The “R” stands for radial. Radial ply construction of tires has been the industry standard for the past 20 years.

Next number: This two-digit number is the wheel or rim diameter in inches. If you change your wheel size, you will have to purchase new tires to match the new wheel diameter.

Next number: This two- or three-digit number is the tire’s load index. It is a measurement of how much weight each tire can support.You may find this information in your owner’s manual. If not, contact a local tire dealer. Note:You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law.

M+S: The “M+S” or “M/S” indicates that the tire has some mud and snow capability. Most radial tires have these markings; hence, they have some mud and snow ca- pability.

Speed Rating: The speed rating denotes the speed at which a tire is designed to be driven for extended periods of time. The ratings range from 99 miles per hour (mph) to 186 mph. These ratings are listed in Table 7. Note: You may not find this information on all tires because it is not required by law.

Table 7. Speed Rating

Letter Rating Speed Rating

Q99 mph

R106 mph

S112 mph

T118 mph

U124 mph

H	130 mph
V	149 mph
W	168* mph
Y	186* mph

TIRE SAFETY

U.S. DOT Tire Identification Number: This begins with the letters “DOT” and indicates that the tire meets all federal standards. The next two numbers or letters are the plant code where it was manufactured, and the last four numbers represent the week and year the tire was built. For example, the numbers 3197 means the 31st week of 1997. The other numbers are marketing codes used at the manufacturer’s discretion. This information is used to contact consumers if a tire defect requires a recall.

Tire Ply Composition and Materials Used: The number of plies indicates the number of layers of rubber-coated fabric in the tire. In general, the greater the number of plies, the more weight a tire can support. Tire manufacturers also must indi- cate the materials in the tire, which include steel, nylon, poly- ester, and others.

Maximum Load Rating: This number indicates the maxi- mum load in kilograms and pounds that can be carried by the tire.

Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure: This number is the greatest amount of air pressure that should ever be put in the tire under normal driving conditions.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS)

Treadwear Number: This number indicates the tire’s wear rate.The higher the treadwear number is, the longer it should take for the tread to wear down. For example, a tire graded 400 should last twice as long as a tire graded 200.

Traction Letter: This letter indicates a tire’s ability to stop on wet pavement. A higher graded tire should allow you to stop your car on wet roads in a shorter distance than a tire with a lower grade.Traction is graded from highest to lowest as “AA”,”A”, “B”, and “C”.

Temperature Letter: This letter indicates a tire’s resistance to heat. The temperature grade is for a tire that is inflated properly and not overloaded. Excessive speed, underinflation or excessive loading, either separately or in combination, can cause heat build-up and possible tire failure. From high- est to lowest, a tire’s resistance to heat is graded as “A”, “B”, or “C”.

PAGE 48 —DRY PRIME PUMP — OPERATION MANUAL — REV. #3 (10/06/08)