What do the three T's on tires represent?
2 Answers
The three T's on tires represent three indices, which are: treadwear index, traction index, and temperature index. The details are as follows: 1. These three indices indicate the level of wear resistance, grip, and high-temperature resistance, respectively. 2. The treadwear index reflects the tire's wear resistance. The higher the value, the more wear-resistant the tire is, but the harder the rubber becomes, resulting in poorer comfort. 3. Conversely, the lower the value, the less wear-resistant the tire is, and the softer the rubber, leading to better comfort. Here is some additional information about tires: 1. Tires are the only components of a car that come into contact with the ground, and they are crucial for driving stability and safety. 2. Under normal conditions, tires can be used for four years after being installed on a car, so it is recommended to replace them every four years.
I've been driving for over a decade and am quite familiar with the three T indices on tires, which are actually three key indicators marked on the tire sidewall. The first T is TREADWEAR, indicating wear resistance—the higher the number, the longer the tire's lifespan, though it might compromise grip. For example, my old car tires were marked 300 and could last over 50,000 kilometers. The second T is TRACTION, representing wet traction, graded from AA to C, with AA being the best for rainy highway driving to ensure no skidding. The third T is TEMPERATURE, graded from A to C, indicating heat dissipation performance—A grade means the tire is less prone to overheating or blowouts during high-temperature long-distance driving. These indices originate from U.S. standards, and I always compare them when choosing tires, prioritizing AA-grade TRACTION and high-temperature-resistant TEMPERATURE, as safety comes first. Regular checks can also save a lot on repair costs, especially when driving on mountain roads.
