Tire Sidewall Labeling - Chevrolet 2009 Corvette Owner's Manual

Tire Sidewall Labeling

Useful information about a tire is molded into its
sidewall. The example below shows a typical
passenger (p-metric) 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)
The 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 code are 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
:
of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(F) Uniform Tire Quality Grading (UTQG)
Tire 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 letters
:
The type of cord and number
: