Temporary (T) Tires

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2022 Cadillac CT4. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

A temporary or "spare" tire is an additional tire carried in a vehicle as a replacement for one that goes flat, a blowout, or other emergency. Temporary spare tires are not meant to be driven long distances.

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS COMPANY

Compact Spare Tire Example

(1) Tire Ply Material: The type of cord and number of plies in the sidewall and under the tread.

(2) Temporary Use Only: The compact spare tire is for emergency use when a regular road tire has lost air and gone flat.

(3) 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.

(4) Maximum Cold Inflation Load Limit: Maximum load that can be carried and the maximum pressure needed to support that load.

(5) Tire Inflation: The temporary use tire or compact spare tire should be inflated to a specific air pressure

(6) 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.

(7) 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.