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:
Engine Exhaust
Warning
Engine exhaust contains carbon monoxide (CO) which cannot be seen
or smelled. Exposure to CO can cause unconsciousness and even death.
Exhaust may enter the vehicle if:
The vehicle idles in areas with poor ventilation (parking
garages, tunnels, deep snow that may block underbody a ...
Fog Lamps
If equipped with fog lamps, they are controlled by the
band on the middle of the turn signal
lever.
To use the fog lamps, the ignition must be turned on and the low-beam headlamps
or parking lamps must be on.
Turn the band to to turn the fog
lamps on. The band automatically returns to ...
Park Brake and P (Park) Mechanism Check
Warning
When you are doing this check, the vehicle could begin to move.
You or others could be injured and property could be damaged.
Make sure there is room in front of the vehicle in case it begins to roll. Be
ready to apply the regular brake at once should the vehicle begin to move.
Park on ...
