Chevrolet Spark Owners Manual: 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 first character in the tire size means a passenger vehicle tire engineered to standards set by the U.S. Tire and Rim Association.
(2) Tire Width: The three-digit number indicates the tire section width in millimeters from sidewall to sidewall.
(3) 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 3 of the illustration, it would mean that the tire's sidewall is 60 percent as high as it is wide.
(4) 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.
(5) Rim Diameter: Diameter of the wheel in inches.
(6) Service Description: These characters represent the load index and speed rating of the tire. The load index represents the load carrying capacity a tire is certified to carry. The speed rating is the maximum speed a tire is certified to carry a load.
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 combinatio ...
Tire Terminology and Definitions
Air Pressure: The amount of air inside the tire pressing outward on each square
inch of the tire. Air pressure is expressed in kPa (kilopascal) or psi (pounds per
square inch).
Accessory Weight: ...
Other materials:
Driving for Better Fuel Economy
Driving habits can affect fuel mileage. Here are some driving tips to get the
best fuel economy possible.
Avoid fast starts and accelerate smoothly.
Brake gradually and avoid abrupt stops.
Avoid idling the engine for long periods of time.
When road and weather conditions are appropriate, ...
Traction Off Light
This light comes on briefly while
starting the engine. If it does not, have the vehicle serviced by your dealer. If
the system is working normally, the indicator light then turns off.
The traction off light comes on when the Traction Control System (TCS) has been
turned off by pressing and re ...
Front Wiper Blade Replacement
Windshield wiper blades should be inspected for wear or cracking. See Maintenance
Schedule on page 11-3.
Replacement blades come in different types and are removed in different ways.
For proper windshield wiper blade length and type, see Maintenance Replacement Parts
on page 11-13.
Caution
...
