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.
(A) Tire Size:The tire size is a combination of letters
and numbers used to de ne 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.(B) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Speci cation):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s speci c tire performance criteria have a TPC
speci cation code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
speci cations 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 Identi cation Number (TIN):The letters and
numbers following DOT (Department of Transportation)
code is the Tire Identi cation 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:The type of cord and number
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
seeUniform Tire Quality Grading on page 5-68.
(G) Maximum Cold In ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load. Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
5-58
(A) Temporary Use Only:The compact spare tire or
temporary use tire has a tread life of approximately
3,000 miles (5 000 km) and should not be driven
at speeds over 65 mph (105 km/h). The compact spare
tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone at. If your vehicle has a compact
spare tire, seeCompact Spare Tire on page 5-83
andIf a Tire Goes Flat on page 5-72.(B) Tire Ply Material:The type of cord and number
of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(C) Tire Identi cation Number (TIN):The letters
and numbers following the DOT (Department of
Transportation) code is the Tire Identi cation 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.
(D) Maximum Cold In ation Load Limit:Maximum
load that can be carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
(E) Tire In ation:The temporary use tire or compact
spare tire should be in ated to 60 psi (420 kPa).
For more information on tire pressure and in ation
seeIn ation - Tire Pressure on page 5-63.
(F) Tire Size:A combination of letters and numbers
de ne a tire’s width, height, aspect ratio, construction
type, and service description. The letter T as the
rst character in the tire size means the tire is for
temporary use only.
(G) TPC Spec (Tire Performance Criteria
Speci cation):Original equipment tires designed to
GM’s speci c tire performance criteria have a TPC
speci cation code molded onto the sidewall. GM’s TPC
speci cations meet or exceed all federal safety
guidelines. Compact Spare Tire Example
5-59
Tire Size
The following illustration shows an example of a typical
passenger vehicle tire size.
(A) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire:The United States
version of a metric tire sizing system. The letter P as
the rst character in the tire size means a passenger
vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire
and Rim Association.
(B) Tire Width:The three-digit number indicates the
tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(C) Aspect Ratio:A two-digit number that indicates
the tire height-to-width measurements. For example, if
the tire size aspect ratio is 60, as shown in item C of
the illustration, it would mean that the tire’s sidewall is
60 percent as high as it is wide.(D) Construction Code:A letter code is used to
indicate the type of ply construction in the tire.
The letter R means radial ply construction; the letter D
means diagonal or bias ply construction; and the
letter B means belted-bias ply construction.
(E) Rim Diameter:Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(F) Service Description:These characters represent
the load range and speed rating of the tire. The load
index represents the load carry capacity a tire is certi ed
to carry. The load index can range from 1 to 279. The
speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certi ed
to carry a load. Speed ratings range from A to Z.
Tire Terminology and De nitions
Air Pressure:The amount of air inside the tire pressing
outward on each square inch of the tire. Air pressure
is expressed in pounds per square inch (psi) or
kilopascal (kPa).
Accessory Weight:This means the combined weight
of optional accessories. Some examples of optional
accessories are, automatic transmission, power steering,
power brakes, power windows, power seats, and air
conditioning.
Aspect Ratio:The relationship of a tire’s height to
its width.
5-60
{CAUTION:
Using the wrong replacement wheels, wheel
bolts, or wheel nuts on your vehicle can be
dangerous. It could affect the braking and
handling of your vehicle, make your tires
lose air and make you lose control. You could
have a collision in which you or others could
be injured. Always use the correct wheel,
wheel bolts, and wheel nuts for replacement.
Notice:The wrong wheel can also cause problems
with bearing life, brake cooling, speedometer or
odometer calibration, headlamp aim, bumper height,
vehicle ground clearance, and tire or tire chain
clearance to the body and chassis.
SeeChanging a Flat Tire on page 5-73for more
information.
Used Replacement Wheels
{CAUTION:
Putting a used wheel on your vehicle is
dangerous. You cannot know how it has been
used or how far it has been driven. It could
fail suddenly and cause a crash. If you have
to replace a wheel, use a new GM original
equipment wheel.
5-71
Roadside
Assistance Program....................................... 7-6
Rocking Your Vehicle to Get it Out....................4-31
Running the Engine While Parked.....................2-35
S
Safety Belt
Passenger Reminder Light............................3-34
Pretensioners..............................................1-29
Reminder Light............................................3-33
Safety Belts
Care of......................................................5-87
Center Front Passenger Position....................1-24
Driver Position............................................1-16
How to Wear Safety Belts Properly................1-15
Questions and Answers About Safety Belts.....1-14
Rear Safety Belt Comfort Guides...................1-27
Rear Seat Passengers.................................1-25
Right Front Passenger Position......................1-23
Safety Belt Extender....................................1-30
Safety Belt Use During Pregnancy.................1-23
Safety Belts Are for Everyone.......................1-10
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster........................1-22
Safety Warnings and Symbols.............................. iii
Scheduled Maintenance..................................... 6-4Seats
Center Seat.................................................. 1-8
Head Restraints............................................ 1-7
Heated Seats............................................... 1-4
Manual........................................................ 1-2
Power Lumbar.............................................. 1-3
Reclining Seatbacks...................................... 1-4
Six-Way Power Seats.................................... 1-3
Split Folding Rear Seat.................................. 1-8
Securing a Child Restraint
Center Front Seat Position............................1-51
Rear Seat Position......................................1-49
Right Front Seat Position..............................1-52
Security Light.................................................3-46
Service........................................................... 5-3
Accessories and Modi cations......................... 5-3
Adding Equipment to the Outside of Your
Vehicle..................................................... 5-5
California Proposition 65 Warning.................... 5-4
Doing Your Own Work................................... 5-4
Engine Soon Light.......................................3-41
Publications Ordering Information...................7-15
Vehicle Soon Light.......................................3-48
Servicing Your Airbag-Equipped Vehicle..............1-69
Setting the Time.............................................3-85
Sheet Metal Damage.......................................5-90
11
Shifting Into Park (P).......................................2-31
Shifting Out of Park (P)...................................2-33
Shoulder Belt Height Adjuster...........................1-22
Signals, Turn and Lane-Change.......................... 3-8
Spare Tire
Compact....................................................5-83
Installing....................................................5-76
Removing...................................................5-74
Storing.......................................................5-82
Speci cations, Capacities.................................5-98
Speedometer..................................................3-33
Split Folding Rear Seat..................................... 1-8
StabiliTrak
®System.........................................4-11
Starting Your Engine.......................................2-24
Steering........................................................4-11
Steering Wheel Comfort Controls......................3-31
Steering Wheel Controls, Audio.......................3-126
Steering Wheel, Tilt Wheel................................. 3-6
Storage Areas
Center Console Storage Area........................2-46
Convenience Net.........................................2-46
Cupholder(s)...............................................2-45
Glove Box..................................................2-44
Stuck in Sand, Mud, Ice, or Snow.....................4-30
Sun Visors.....................................................2-18
Sunroof.........................................................2-47
T
Tachometer....................................................3-33
Taillamps
Turn Signal, Sidemarker, Stoplamps, and
Back-Up Lamps.......................................5-54
TCS Warning Light..........................................3-40
Theater Dimming............................................3-17
Theft-Deterrent, Radio....................................3-126
Theft-Deterrent Systems...................................2-18
Content Theft-Deterrent................................2-18
PASS-Key
®III .............................................2-20
PASS-Key®III Operation..............................2-21
Tilt Wheel........................................................ 3-6
Tires.............................................................5-57
Aluminum or Chrome-Plated Wheels,
Cleaning.................................................5-89
Buying New Tires........................................5-66
Chains.......................................................5-72
Changing a Flat Tire....................................5-73
Cleaning....................................................5-89
Compact Spare Tire.....................................5-83
Different Size..............................................5-68
If a Tire Goes Flat.......................................5-72
In ation - Tire Pressure................................5-63
Inspection and Rotation................................5-64
12