service MAZDA MODEL 3 SEDAN 2019 Owner's Guide

Uniform Tire Quality
Grading System (UTQGS)
▼ Uniform Tire Quality Grading
System (UTQGS)
This information relates to the tire grading
system developed by the U.S. National
Highway Traffic Safety
Administration for
grading tires by tread wear, traction, and
temperature performance.
▼ Tr e a d We a r
The tread wear grade is a comparative
rating based on the we
ar rate of the tire
when tested under controlled conditions
on a specified government test course.
For example, a tire graded 150 would wear
one-and-a-half times as well on 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 because of variations in
driving habits, service practices and
differences in road characteristics and
climate.
▼ Traction-AA, A, B, C
The traction grades, from highest to
lowest, are AA, A, B, and C. These 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.
WA R N I N G
The traction grade assigned to this tire is
based on braking (straight ahead) traction
tests and does not include acceleration
cornering (turning), hydroplaning, or peak
traction characteristics.
▼Temperature-A, B, C
The temperature grades A (the highest), B,
and C, represent 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
temperatures can lead to sudden tire
failure.

Grade C corresponds to a level of
performance which all passenger vehicle
tires must meet under the Federal Motor
Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Grades
B and A represent higher levels of
performance on the la
boratory test wheel
than the minimum required by law.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Uniform Tire Quality G rading System (UTQGS)
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Tire Maintenance
▼Tire Maintenance
Improper or inad
equate vehicle
maintenance can cause tires to wear
abnormally. Here are some important
maintenance points:
▼ Tire Inflation Pressure
Inspect all tire p
ressure monthly
(including the spare) when the tires are
cold. Maintain recommended pressures for
the best ride, top handling, and minimum
tire wear. Use the pressures specified on
the vehicle tire inform ation placard or tire
label for optimum service.
▼ Tire Rotation
To equalize tread wear, rotate the tires
every 16,000 km (10,000 miles) at the
latest or sooner if irregular wear develops.
Mazda recommends to rotate every 8,000
km (5,000 miles) to help increase tire life
and distribute wear more evenly.
1. Forward
Do not include (TEMPORARY USE
ONLY) spare tire in rotation.

Inspect the tires for uneven wear and
damage. Abnormal wear is usually caused
by one or a combination of the following:
Incorrect tire pressure
Improper wheel alignment
Out-of-balance wheel
Severe braking
After rotation, inflate all tire pressures to
specification (page 9-9) and inspect the
lug nuts for tightness.
CAUTION
Rotate unidirectional tires and radial tires
that have an asymmetrical tread pattern or
studs only from front to rear, not from side
to side. Tire performance will be weakened
if rotated from side to side.
▼ Replacing a Tire
WA R N I N G
Always use tires that are in good condition:
Driving with worn tires is dangerous.
Reduced braking, steering, and traction
could result in an accident.
If a tire wears evenly, a wear indicator will
appear as a solid band across the tread.
Replace the tire when this happens.
1. New tread
2. Worn tread
3. Tread wear indicator

You should replace the tire before the band
crosses the entire tread.
Customer Information and Reporting Safety Defects
Tire Information (U.S.A.)
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