[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 144 (Thursday, July 28, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page ]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-18365]
[Federal Register: July 28, 1994]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
[Docket No. 94-64; Notice 1]
Accuride Corporation; Receipt of Petition for Determination of
Inconsequential Noncompliance
The Accuride Corporation (Accuride) of Henderson, Kentucky, has
determined that some of its wheels fail to comply with 49 CFR 571.120,
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, ``Tire Selection
and Rims for Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars,'' and has filed an
appropriate report pursuant to 49 CFR Part 573, ``Defect and
Noncompliance Reports.'' Accuride has also petitioned to be exempted
from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter
301--``Motor Vehicle Safety'' on the basis that the noncompliance is
inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.
This notice of receipt of a petition is published under 49 U.S.C.
30118 and 30120 (formerly Section 157 of the National Traffic and Motor
Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1417)) and does not represent any agency
decision or other exercise of judgement concerning the merits of the
petition.
FMVSS No. 120, Paragraph S5.2(b) requires that each wheel be marked
with the rim size designation.
On January 11, 1994, Accuride produced an estimated 103 Accu-Forge
22.5 x 9.00 inch, 15 degree drop center, one-piece tubeless dual
wheels with incorrect size designations for the rim width. The wheels
were incorrectly stamped ``22.5 x 8.25.'' The wheels should have been
stamped ``22.5 x 9.00.'' All other stampings and markings required by
FMVSS No. 120 are correctly identified on each of the subject wheels.
Accuride supports its petition for inconsequential noncompliance
with the following:
Accuride has fully analyzed the issues surrounding the incorrect
width designation on these wheels and has sought the input of the
others with particular expertise on this subject. Based upon all of
this analysis and the information obtained, it appears clear that
there is no safety-related issue potentially arising from the
incorrect width designations indicated on the wheels.
According to the 1994 Tire and Rim Association Yearbook, the
permissible tires on a 22.5 x 9.00 inch rim are the 295/75*22.5
and the 12*22.5. The permissible tires for use on a 22.5 x 8.25 inch
rim are the 265/75*22.5, 295/75*22.5, 11*22.5, and the 12*22.5 size.
Because the 12*22.5 and the 295/75*22.5 tires are acceptable on both
the 8.25 inch and 9.00 inch rims, these tire combinations are not of
concern. The remaining 11*22.5 and 265/75*22.5 tires that are
specified only for the 8.25 inch rim have been given particular
attention. Acccuride has carefully evaluated all of the issues
surrounding the possible effect of use of such tires on a wider 9.00
inch rim. We have also solicited the input of two major tire
manufacturers and specifically inquired as to potential negative
effects of such usage. Our analysis, as well as that of the tire
manufacturers, is that there is no safety-related issue. Load
carrying capacities, air retention, handling characteristics, and
other aspects of performance will not be affected to any degree
significant to motor vehicle safety. The only potential effect of
such usage results from the fact that the tires in question are
slightly more spread on the wider 9.00 inch rim resulting in some
chance of reduction in tread wear to a minor degree.
It should also be pointed out that the 22.5 x 9.00 inch size
is generally a special application tire and wheel combination
typically used in North America only on fleets requiring a
particular larger tire for the needs of their operation. The wheel
in question is heavier and more expensive than a standard 8.25 inch
wheel, and these fleets use the product because of specific higher
load requirements and would also use the larger tire to meet those
same requirements. It is, therefore, Accuride's conclusion that the
possibility that narrower tires would be used on these wheels is
extremely remote.
Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and
arguments on the petition of Accuride, described above. Comments should
refer to the docket number and be submitted to: Docket Section,
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Room 5109, 400 Seventh
Street, SW., Washington, D.C., 20590. It is requested but not required
that six copies be submitted.
All comments received before the close of business on the closing
date indicated below will be considered. The application and supporting
materials, and all comments received after the closing date, will also
be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the
petition is granted or denied, the notice will be published in the
Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below.
Comment closing date: August 29, 1994.
(49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and
49 CFR 501.8).
Issued on: July 21, 1994.
Barry Felrice,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 94-18365 Filed 7-27-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-M