What is the concept of Michelin rating?
3 Answers
Michelin rating refers to the high quality and durability of car tires. The following is an introduction to Michelin: 1. Basic information: Michelin (MICHELIN) is a tire manufacturing company founded in 1889 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. In 1898, the Michelin Man "Bibendum" was born. In 1946, the radial tire was invented. In 1993, the C3M tire manufacturing process was invented. In 1995, the first joint venture in China, "Michelin Shenyang Tire Co., Ltd.", was established. In 1996, the PAX-System tire was invented. 2. Fortune ranking: In May 2021, the "2021 Forbes Global 2000" was released, with Michelin ranking 470th.
Last time when changing tires, the technician mentioned Michelin's grading system to me, which mainly refers to tire performance indicators. For example, sports tires like the PS4 have a lightning bolt symbol on the sidewall, representing the highest traction grade of AA, which can shorten wet braking distance by several meters. Common family car tires like the XM2+ are economical and wear-resistant, with low noise but weaker handling. The most extreme are the slick tires used on racetracks, which have no tread patterns at all and rely entirely on thermal melting adhesive. When choosing tires, don't just look at the brand; match them to your needs—if you often drive on highways, choose AA grade, while for urban commuting, quieter B grade tires are more cost-effective. Nowadays, newly released self-sealing tires even have a small umbrella symbol on the sidewall.
I remember being terrified during a rainy day skid, which led me to thoroughly research Michelin's 3T tire standards. A tire with a Treadwear index of 160 is much softer than one rated 320 – a favorite among speed enthusiasts but wears out quickly. The Temperature rating ranges from A to C for heat resistance, with grade A being the best choice for mountain driving. The most crucial factor is the Traction rating; after upgrading my SUV to AA-rated tires, it climbs snowy slopes as steadily as if it were a different vehicle. Now when choosing tires for my wife's car, I always check these three criteria – far more practical than just judging by tread patterns alone.