Chevrolet EXPRESS - 2011 Manual page 324

Useful information about a
tire is molded into the sidewall.
The following illustrations are
examples of a typical P Metric
and a LT Metric tire sidewall.
The tire size
code 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.
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.
The Department of
Transportation (DOT) code
indicates that the tire is in
compliance with the U.S.
Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
The letters 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.
of cord and number of plies in
the sidewall and under the tread.
Tire
manufacturers are required to
grade tires based on three
performance factors: treadwear,
traction, and temperature
resistance. For more
information, see
Maximum load
that can be carried and the
maximum pressure needed
to support that load.
The type
.