Vehicle Care

Buying New Tires

~2min read

GM has developed and matched specific tires for the vehicle. The original equipment tires installed were designed to meet General Motors Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) system rating. When replacement tires are needed, GM strongly recommends buying tires with the same TPC Spec rating.

GM's exclusive TPC Spec system considers over a dozen critical specifications that impact the overall performance of the vehicle, including brake system performance, ride and handling, traction control, and tire pressure monitoring performance.

GM's TPC Spec number is molded onto the tire's sidewall near the tire size. If the tires have an all—season tread design, the TPC Spec number will be followed by MS for mud and snow. See Tire Sidewall Labeling for additional information.

GM recommends replacing all the tires at the same time.

Uniform tread depth on all tires will help to maintain the performance of the vehicle.

Braking and handling performance may be adversely affected if all the tires are not replaced at the same time. See Tire Inspection and Tire Rotation for information on proper tire rotation.

If the vehicle tires must be replaced with a tire that does not have a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating, and construction (radial) as the original tires.

Vehicles that have a tire pressure monitoring system could give an inaccurate low—pressure warning if non—TPC Spec rated tires are installed.

See Tire Pressure Monitor System.

The Tire and Loading Information label indicates the original equipment tires on the vehicle. See Vehicle Load Limits for the label location and more information about the Tire and Loading Information label.

Test yourself

A quick Cadillac SRX quiz: every answer comes with an explanation and a link to the manual page.