Tire Sidewall Labeling - Buick Automobile User Manual

Tire Sidewall Labeling

Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The examples below show a typical
passenger vehicle tire and a compact spare tire
sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(A) Tire Size The tire size is a combination of
:
letters and numbers used to define a particular
tire's width, height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. See the "Tire Size"
illustration later in this section for more detail.
5-64
(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Specification) Original equipment tires designed
:
to GM's specific tire performance criteria have
a TPC specification code molded onto the sidewall.
GM's TPC specifications meet or exceed all
federal safety guidelines.
(C) DOT (Department of Transportation)
Department of Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in compliance with the
U.S. Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle
Safety Standards.
(D) Tire Identification Number (TIN)
and numbers following DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identification
Number (TIN). The TIN shows the manufacturer
and plant code, tire size, and date the tire was
manufactured. The TIN is molded onto both sides of
the tire, although only one side may have the date
of manufacture.
(E) Tire Ply Material
:
number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
manufacturers are required to grade tires based on
three performance factors: treadwear, traction, and
temperature resistance. For more information see
Uniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-80.
The
:
The letters
:
The type of cord and
:
Tire