Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is molded into its sidewall. The examples show a typical passenger tire sidewall.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example
(1) 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.
(2) 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.
(3) 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.
DOT Tire Date of Manufacture: The last four digits of the TIN indicate the tire manufactured date. The first two digits represent the week (01-52) and the last two digits, the year. For example, the third week of the year 2010 would have a four-digit DOT date of 0310.
(4) Tire Identification Number (TIN): The letters and numbers following the 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.
(5) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.
(6) 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 10-52.
(7) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum load that can be carried and the maximum pressure needed to support that load.
Summer Tires
This vehicle may come with high performance summer tires. These tires have a
special tread and compound that are optimized for maximum dry and wet road performance.
This special tread and compound ...
Tire Designations
Tire Size
The following is an example of a typical passenger vehicle tire size.
(1) Passenger (P-Metric) Tire: The United States version of a metric tire sizing
system. The letter P as the fir ...
Other materials:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
The following information relates to the system developed by the United States
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which grades tires by treadwear,
traction, and temperature performance. This applies only to vehicles sold in the
United States. The grades are molded on the s ...
Customer Assistance Offices
Chevrolet encourages customers to call the toll-free number for assistance. However,
if a customer wishes to write or e-mail Chevrolet, the letter should be addressed
to:
United States and Puerto Rico
Chevrolet Motor Division
Chevrolet Customer Assistance
Center
P.O. Box 33170
Detroit, MI ...
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Warning
Filling a portable fuel container while it is in the vehicle can
cause fuel vapors that can ignite either by static electricity or other means. You
or others could be badly burned and the vehicle could be damaged. Always:
Use approved fuel containers.
Remove the container from the ...
