1996 GMC Sonoma Owner's Manual - Page 270

I'he tire has a puncture, cut or other damage that can't be repaired well because of the size or location of the damage. Buying New Tires To find out what kind and size of tires you need, look at the CertificatiodTire label. The tires installed on your vehicle when it was new had a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will continue tohave tires that are designed to give proper endurance, handling, speed rating, traction, ride and other things during normal service on your vehicle. If your tires have an all-season tread design, the TPC number will be followed by an "MS" (for mud and snow). If you ever replace your tires with those not having a TPC Spec number, make sure they are the same size, load range, speed rating and construction type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires. Mixing tires could cause you lose control while to driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types (radial and bias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle properly, and could have a crash. you Using tires of different sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure to use the same on size and type tires all wheels. It's all right to drive with your compact spare (if,you haveone). It was developed for use on your vehicle.