1997 Chevrolet Cavalier Owner's Manual - Page 286

Buying New Tires To find out what kind and of tires you need, look at size the Tire-Loading Information label. The tires installed on your vehicle when was new had it a Tire PerformanceCriteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires, get ones with that same TPC Specnumber. That way your vehicle will continue have tires thatare designed to 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, theTPC number will be followed by an "MS" (for mud and snow). / A CAUTION: Mixing tires could cause to lose control while you driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types (radial andbias-belted tires), the vehicle may not handle properly, and you could havea crash. Using tires of different sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure touse the same all size and type tires on wheels. It's all right to drive with your compact spare, though. It was developedfor use on yourvehicle. a If you ever replace your tires with those not having TPC Spec number, make sure they the same size, are load range, speed rating and construction type (bias, bias-belted or radial) as your original tires.