Buick Encore: Wheels and Tires / Tire Sidewall Labeling
Useful information about a tire is
molded into its sidewall. The examples
show a typical passenger vehicle tire
and a compact spare tire sidewall.

- 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 in this section.
- 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.
- 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 and the last two
digits, the year. For example, the third
week of the year 2020 would have a
4-digit DOT date of 0320. Week 01 is
the first full week (Sunday through
Saturday) of each year.
- Tire Identification Number (TIN) :
The letters and numbers following the
DOT (Department of Transportation)
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.
- Tire Ply Material : The type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and
under the tread.
- Uniform Tire Quality Grading
(UTQG) : Tire manufacturers are
required to grade tires based on three
performance factors: tread wear,
traction, and temperature resistance.
For more information see Uniform Tire
Quality Grading.
- Maximum Cold Inflation Load
Limit : Maximum load that can be
carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.

- Tire Ply Material : The type of cord
and number of plies in the sidewall and
under the tread.
- Temporary Use Only : The compact
spare tire or temporary use tire should
not be driven at speeds over 80 km/h
(50 mph). The compact spare tire is for
emergency use when a regular road tire
has lost air and gone flat. If the vehicle
has a compact spare tire, see Compact
Spare Tire and
If a Tire Goes Flat.
- Tire Identification Number (TIN) :
The letters and numbers following the
DOT (Department of Transportation)
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.
- Maximum Cold Inflation Load
Limit : Maximum load that can be
carried and the maximum pressure
needed to support that load.
- Tire Inflation : The temporary use
tire or compact spare tire should be
inflated to 420 kPa (60 psi). For more
information on tire pressure and
inflation see Tire Pressure.
- Tire Size : A combination of letters
and numbers define a tire's width,
height, aspect ratio, construction type,
and service description. The letter “T” as
the first character in the tire size means
the tire is for temporary use only.
- 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.
This vehicle was not originally equipped
with winter tires. Winter tires are designed
for increased traction on snow and
ice-covered roads. Consider installing winter
tires on the vehicle if frequent driving on ice
or snow covered roads is expected...
Tire Size
The example shows a typical passenger
vehicle tire size.
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire
Passenger (P-Metric) Tire : The
United States version of a metric tire
sizing system...
Other information:
This light is part of the vehicle’s emission
control on-board diagnostic system. If this
light is on while the engine is running, a
malfunction has been detected and the
vehicle may require service. The light should
come on to show that it is working when
the ignition is in Service Mode...
Note that, for improved vehicle security, the
RKE transmitter is equipped with a motion
sensor. When starting the vehicle, if the RKE
transmitter has been idle for a while, move
the RKE transmitter slightly and try starting
the vehicle.
When starting the vehicle, if the RKE
transmitter battery is depleted or there is
signal interference, the DIC may display NO
REMOTE DETECTED, REPLACE BATTERY IN
REMOTE KEY, or NO REMOTE DETECTED
PLACE KEY IN KEY POCKET THEN START YOUR
VEHICLE...