UTQG stands for Uniform Tire Quality Grading.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is an agency of the Executive Branch of the U.S. government, part of the Department of Transportation...

 (NHTSA) established the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) in 49 CFR 575.104.

Treadwear

The treadwear grade

Treadwear rating

The Treadwear Grade of a tire is the numeric portion of the Uniform Tire Quality Grade Standards that are printed on the sidewall of a tire. These standards were enacted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , which is part of the United States Department of Transportation...

is a comparative rating based on the wear rate of the tire when tested under controlled conditions on a specified government test track. A tire graded 200 would last twice as long on the government test course under specified test conditions as one graded 100. It is an oversimplification to assume treadwear grades will be proportional directly to your actual tire mileage. The relative performance of tires depends upon the actual conditions of their use and may vary due to driving habits, service practices, differences in road characteristics and climate.

Traction

Traction grades, from highest to lowest, are AA, A, B and C. They represent the tire's ability to stop on wet pavement as measured under controlled conditions on specified government test surfaces of asphalt and concrete. The testing does not take into account cornering, hydroplaning or acceleration.

Temperature

The temperature grades, from highest to lowest, are A, B and C. These represent the tire's resistance to the generation of heat.