165/65r14 Tire Discussion

[Mark]

I suspect 250 and 250a ARE the same tire (compound, pattern, thickness, weight), but one is sold on the open market, at market prices. The other was a bulk purchase by the factory, at near cost prices, so they asked for it to be identified differently, so that the tire company is not responsible for warranty. If car manufacturer decides to warranty it, then you get it from them

Edit: note the key words "I suspect" - this is strictly my guess

Like you said, that's purely speculation on your part. I never assume. The Mirage factory tire is on the open market in the States Almost every tire vendor seems to carry the factory Falken tire found on the Mirage.

I would like to think putting a different UTQG rating on the same tires would be illegal, but I don't think those ratings are regulated by anyone.

Ask Falken if their 320BB rated tire with no warranty is the exact same tire as their 720AB rated tire with an 80,000 mile warranty & let us know what you find out?

[Eggman]

Like you said, that's purely speculation on your part. I never assume.

But we have to assume the tire manufacturer is being honest! Until the tire is put into use, we can only assume the ratings are accurate.

I would like to think putting a different UTQG rating on the same tires would be illegal, but I don't think those ratings are regulated by anyone.

Uniform Tire Quality Grading

Uniform Tire Quality Grading, commonly abbreviated as UTQG, is a set of standards for passenger car tires that measures a tire's treadwear, temperature resistance and traction. The UTQG was created by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in 1978, a branch of the United States Department of Transportation (DOT).[1] All passenger car tires manufactured for sale in the United States since March 31, 1979 are federally mandated to have the UTQG ratings on their sidewall as part of the DOT approval process, in which non-DOT approved tires are not legal for street use in the United States. [2] Light truck tires are not required to have a UTQG.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) established the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) in 49 CFR 575.104.[3] When looking at UTQG ratings it is important to realize that the Department of Transportation does not conduct the tests. The grades are assigned by the tire manufacturers based on their test results or those conducted by an independent testing company they have hired. The NHTSA has the right to inspect tire manufacturers' data, and can fine them if inconsistencies are found.

This might explain the change in tire naming and the change in UTQG - was Falken caught misrepresenting their mileage claims? Who knows, we can only speculate.