Passenger vehicle tire quality has improved since last year,according to recently released ratings from the National HighwayTraffic Safety Administration. This year, nearly 90 tire linesreceived the highest possible ratings for traction.

“Higher quality tires, along with good maintenance, provideconsumers a greater margin of safety,” said Jeffrey Runge, NHTSA'sadministrator. “The tire grading system is a big help in theoften-confusing process of selecting tires.” NHTSA's 2005 ratingscover more than 2,400 lines of the most popular passenger vehicletires sold in the United States. The agency rates tires based ontraction, treadwear, and their ability to resist heat.

Five tire brands (Big-O, Goodyear, Michelin, Bridgestone, andCordovan) produce tire lines that received exceptional ratings fortread durability. This year, nearly 700 tire lines were given thehighest grade for heat resistance. Temperature ratings areimportant because heat can increase the risk of blowout, NHTSAnoted.