The Nation - News from July 28, 1985

A consumer group released durability ratings for passenger car tires based on official government tests and said there is a wide disparity in how well tires will wear, even among those produced by the same company. The Center for Auto Safety compiled the ratings from tests performed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The 134 radial tires included in the tests earned ratings ranging from 80 to 330. The highest ratings went to Michelin, which produced the only tires with a rating above 300. Its XH tire earned a tread-wear rating of 330 (66,000 miles). The Bridgestone 147V-70 was the mileage loser with a rating of 80 (16,000 miles).