What is a UTQG treadwear rating, and what does it mean?

A treadwear grade is a number stamped on the tire's sidewall that relates to expected tire life.

The higher the UTQG treadwear rating, the greater the tire life.A tire with a "600" treadwear rating is expected to last twice as long as a tire of the same rating and should accumulate three times the mileage.

For basic real world reference points, consider that standard touring all-season tires engineered for high mileage can have treadwear ratings in the "700-800" range.A treadwear rating in the " 100" range is possible for racing tires that are focused on maximum grip.

Understanding the limitations of the treadwear ratings information is the first thing you have to do.The UTQG treadwear rating is mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and the testing process is supposed to be the same for all manufacturers, but the NHTSA does not test tires and assign the ratings.It is the tire manufacturers' duty to conduct the testing.

UTQG treadwear ratings are not established by an objective testing organization.The mileage of the two tires under equal driving conditions could be different if a "400" treadwear rating from Tire Manufacturer A is used.

When comparing tires from the same manufacturer, treadwear ratings are the most useful.The treadwear rating could be a deciding factor if you're trying to choose between tires from the same manufacturer.They could be accused of inflating their treadwear ratings to appear superior to the competition, or even being conservative on the ratings in certain circumstances.The ratings should correspond to actual testing results.

When comparing treadwear grades of tires, the ratings are not as important.It isn't pointless to consider the ratings from different manufacturers.

There is a correlation between tire life and treadwear rating.It's common for tires with high UTQG ratings to be reviewed favorably by users.It's a safe assumption that the "600" rated tire will be more durable than a tire with a "200" treadwear rating.

The treadwear rating can be used as a data point in your tire purchase decision.A low treadwear rating is a red flag if you're shopping for a high-mileage set of tires.

When combined with the tire treadlife warranty, the UTQG treadwear rating provides a preview of expected tire life.If long tire life is a priority for you, consider the treadwear rating and treadlife warranty.You can find user reviews for mileage feedback on the "Reviews" tab on every TireBuyer.com product page.

Check out our tire rotation and alignment articles to learn how to maximize treadlife from your tires.

A UTQG rating is not required for certain types of tires.temporary spare tires, mud-terrain tires with deep tread, and winter tires.