1997 Chevrolet Monte Carlo Owner's Manual - Page 256

0 The tread or sidewall is cracked, cut snagged deep or enough to show cord orfabric. The tire has abump, bulge or split. The tire has a puncture, cut other damagethat or can't be repaired well because the size or location of of the damage. 0 0 If you ever replaceyour tires with those not having a TPC Spec number, make surethey are the same size, load range,speed rating and construction type(bias, bias-belted orradial) as your original tires. Buying New Tires To find outwhat kind and size of tires you need, look at the Tire-Loading Information label. I The tires installed on your vehiclewhen it was new had a Tire Performance Criteria Specification (TPC Spec) number on each tire's sidewall. When you get new tires, get oneswith that same TPC Spec number. That way your vehicle will continue to have 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 followedby an "MS" (for mud and snow). Mixing tires could cause you lose control while to driving. If you mix tires of different sizes or types (radial andbias-belted tires),the vehicle maynot handle properly, and you could havea crash. Using tires of different sizes may also cause damage to your vehicle. Be sure touse the same size and type tires on all wheels. It's allright todrive with your compact spare, though. It was developedfor use on your vehicle. 6-41