9-60 Vehicle CareSummer Performance TiresMany General Motors highperformance models comefactory-equipped with tires thatare optimized for maximum dryand wet road performance whilestill retaining satisfactory treadlife, excellent durability, and lownoise levels. In severe winterclimates where snowfall may besignificant, these tires may befound to provide less traction.Tire Sidewall LabelingUseful information about a tire ismolded into its sidewall. Theexamples below show a typicalpassenger vehicle tire and acompact spare tire sidewall.Passenger (P-Metric) Tire Example(A) Tire Size : The tire size is acombination of letters andnumbers used to define aparticular tire's width, height,aspect ratio, construction type,and service description. See the“Tire Size” illustration later in thissection for more detail.(B) TPC Spec (TirePerformance CriteriaSpecification) : Originalequipment tires designed toGM's specific tire performancecriteria have a TPC specificationcode molded onto the sidewall.GM's TPC specifications meetor exceed all federal safetyguidelines.(C) DOT (Department ofTransportation) : TheDepartment of Transportation(DOT) code indicates that thetire is in compliance withthe U.S. Department ofTransportation Motor VehicleSafety Standards.(D) Tire Identification Number(TIN) : The letters and numbersfollowing the DOT (Departmentof Transportation) code is theTire Identification Number (TIN).