The UTQG (Uniform Tire QG) treadwear rating is a number stamped on the tire sidewall. It relates to expected tire lifetime.
The tire’s life expectancy is determined by the UTQG treadwear rating. A tire with a treadwear rating of “600” is expected to last twice as long than a tire with “300” ratings, and should get three times as many miles as a “200”-rated tire.
For a basic understanding of how treadwear ratings differ and to provide a reference point, consider that high-mileage all-season touring tires can have treadwear ratings between 700-800. racing tires are focused on maximum grip and tire life, so a treadwear rating of “100” or less might be expected for them.
How can you use UTQG treadwear ratings when researching and buying tires?
You must first understand the limitations of the information on treadwear ratings. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration* has mandated the UTQG treadwear rating. However, the testing process for all manufacturers is the same. However, the NHTSA doesn’t test tires or assign ratings. It is the responsibility of the tire manufacturers to perform (or commission) testing.
This means that UTQG’s treadwear ratings cannot be established by objective testing organizations or according to a universal rating scale. A Tire Manufacturer A might give a “400” rating for treadwear, but it is not necessarily equivalent to a Tire Manufacturer B’s “400” rating. The tire’s mileage life under similar driving conditions could be very different.
The treadwear rating can be an important factor in deciding between tires from the same manufacturer.
When comparing tires made by the same manufacturer, treadwear ratings can be very helpful and informative. The treadwear rating can be crucial when deciding between the same tire type from the same manufacturer. Tire manufacturers may be accused of exaggerating their treadwear ratings or being too conservative in some circumstances. The ratings for their product range should match actual testing results.
Treadwear ratings can be less helpful when comparing the treadwear grades of tires made by different manufacturers. We don’t think it is unnecessary to compare ratings from different manufacturers.
Treadwear rating is often related to actual tire life. It is common for users to give high UTQG ratings tires when it comes to treadlife. Although a tire with a treadwear rating of 600 might last 3 times longer than a tire with a 200 rating, it is safe to assume that a tire with a 600 rating will last for longer.
Low treadwear ratings are a warning sign that the tire may not be able to meet your expectations.
You can use the treadwear rating as a guide to your tire buying decision. A low treadwear rating can be a warning sign that your tire is not going to meet your expectations.
The UTQG treadwear rating gives a preview of the expected tire life, especially when combined with the tire treadlife warrant. Although it’s not an ideal rating system or scale, it can help you to prioritize long tire life. For mileage feedback, make sure you check out TireBuyer.com user reviews – they can be found on every TireBuyer.com product page under the “Reviews”.
For tips on how to get the most out of your tires, check out our alignment and tire rotation articles.
*For certain types of tires, such as mud-terrain tires with deep tread, a UTQG rating may not be required. Winter tires, mud-terrain tire with deep tread and temporary spare tires are not required.