[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 42 (Friday, March 3, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 11913-11915]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-5238]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Parts 571, 575
[Docket No. 93-81, Notice 03]
RIN 2127-AE70
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, New Pneumatic Tires;
Consumer Information Regulations Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule; correction.
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SUMMARY: This document corrects test inflation pressures associated
with the 350 kilopascal (kPa) (51 pounds per square inch (psi)) maximum
inflation pressure for certain passenger car tires specified in the
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards and the safety standard on new
pneumatic tires. NHTSA makes this correction in response to a
submission from the Rubber Manufacturers Association.
DATES: Effective date: The amendments in this correction document are
effective March 3, 1995.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Ms. Terri Droneburg, Office of Vehicle Safety Standards, National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., Room
5307, Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Droneburg's number is: (202) 366-4803.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No.
109, New Pneumatic Tires, specifies requirements for passenger car
tires for strength, endurance, high speed performance, and bead
unseating resistance. In addition, the standard defines tire load
ratings and specifies dimensions, maximum inflation pressures, and
labeling requirements.
Paragraph S4.2.1(b) of the standard specifies separate maximum
permissible inflation pressures for CT tires (pneumatic tires with an
inverted flange tire and rim system in which the rim is designed with
rim flanges pointed radially inward and the tire is designed to fit on
the underside of the rim in a manner that encloses the rim flanges
inside the air cavity of the tire), and for tires other than CT tires
(non-CT tires). In effect, S4.2.1(b) proscribes maximum permissible
inflation pressures other than the ones listed.
A manufacturer's selection of a maximum permissible inflation
pressure for a given tire has the effect under the Standard of
determining the pressure at which that tire will be tested for
compliance. For each maximum permissible inflation pressure, Table II
of Appendix A of Standard No. 109 specifies pressures at which
compliance tests will be conducted. Table II specifies one pressure for
tests of physical dimensions, bead unseating, tire strength, and tire
endurances, and specifies another pressure for the high speed
performance test.
A manufacturer's selection of a maximum permissible inflation
pressure for a given tire also has the effect under the Standard of
determining the pressure at which that tire will be tested under the
Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) (49 CFR 575.104). The
UTQGS specify that passenger car tires be labeled with information
about the relative performance of the tires in the areas of treadwear,
traction, and temperature resistance. Table 1 of the UTQGS specifies,
for each maximum permissible inflation pressure, pressures at which
compliance tests for treadwear and temperature resistance will be
conducted.
On August 1, 1994, NHTSA published a final rule (59 FR 38938)
amending Standard No. 109 and the UTQGS by making changes permitting
the manufacture and sale of CT and non-CT [[Page 11914]] passenger car
tires that have a maximum tire inflation pressure of 350 kiloPascals
(kPa) (51 pounds per square inch (psi)). The final rule took effect on
August 31,1994. Previously, only CT tires were permitted a maximum tire
inflation pressure of 350 kPa.
In a submission that it characterized as a ``petition for
reconsideration,'' the Rubber Manufacturers Association (RMA) noted
typographical errors in the August 1994 final rule. The RMA noted both
Table II Test Inflation Pressures of Appendix A of Standard No. 109,
and Table 1 Test Inflation Pressures in paragraph (g) of the UTQGS,
specified incorrect pressures at which compliance tests would be
conducted for 350 kPa tires other than CT tires. The RMA stated that
for testing of 350 kPa non-CT tires, in Table II of Appendix A of
Standard No. 109, the test pressure for the tests of physical
dimensions, bead unseating, tire strength, and tire endurance should be
180 kPa, and the test pressure for the high speed performance test
should be 220 kPa. The RMA also stated that for 350 kPa non-CT tires,
in Table 1 in paragraph (g) of the UTQGS, the test pressure for the
treadwear test should be 180 kPa and the test pressure for the
temperature resistant test should be 220 kPa.
NHTSA agrees that RMA's recommended changes are correct. The final
rule erroneously specified identical test pressures for testing of both
350 kPa CT tires and 350 kPA non-CT tires. The test pressures specified
in the final rule for 350 kPa CT tires were correct, but the test
pressures for 350 kPA non-CT tires were not. Accordingly, in this
document, NHTSA corrects Table II of Standard No. 109 and Table I of
the UTQGS to specify the correct test pressures for 350 kPa non-CT
tires.
The changes in this document impose no duties or responsibilities
on any party, nor do they make any substantive changes to Standard No.
109 or the UTQGS. The changes simply ensure that Standard No. 109 and
the UTQGS read as the agency intended.
Since the changes are technical in nature and have no substantive
impact, it is found that notice and public comment are unnecessary.
Further, because the amendments are technical in nature, it is found
for good cause shown that an effective date earlier than 180 days after
issuance of the rule is in the public interest, and the amendments are
effective upon publication in the Federal Register.
List of Subjects
49 CFR Part 571
Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, Rubber and rubber
products, Tires.
49 CFR Part 575
Consumer protection, Labeling, Motor vehicle safety, Motor
vehicles, Rubber and rubber products, Tires.
In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR parts 571 and 575 are
corrected by making the following correcting amendments:
PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS
1. The authority citation for Part 571 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166;
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
2. Section 571.109 is amended by revising Table II of Appendix A to
read as follows:
Sec. 571.109 Standard 109, New Pneumatic Tires.
* * * * *
Table II.--Test Inflation Pressures
[Maximum permissible inflation pressure to be used for the following test]
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Tires other than CT tires CT tires
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Test type psi kPa kPa
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32 36 40 60 240 280 300 340 350 290 300 350 390
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Physical dimensions,
bead unseating, tire
strength, and tire
endurance........... 24 28 32 52 180 220 180 220 180 230 270 230 270
High speed
performance......... 30 34 38 58 220 260 220 260 220 270 310 270 310
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PART 575--CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, and 30123; delegation of
authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Sec. 575.104 [Amended]
2. Section 575.104(g) is amended by revising Table 1 as follows:
* * * * *
(g) * * *
Table I.--Test Inflation Pressures
[Maximum permissible inflation pressure for the following test]
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Tires other than CT tires CT tires
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Test type psi kPa kPa
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32 36 40 60 240 280 300 340 350 290 330 350 390
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Treadwear test....... 24 28 32 52 180 220 180 220 180 230 270 230 270
Temperature resistant
test................ 30 34 38 58 220 260 220 260 220 270 310 270 310
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[[Page 11915]]
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Issued on: February 24, 1995.
Ricardo Martinez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 95-5238 Filed 3-2-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M