[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 99 (Monday, May 24, 1999)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 27921-27925]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-13064]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
49 CFR Part 575
[Docket No. 99-5697]
RIN 2127-AG67
Consumer Information Regulations; Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Standards
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This final rule amends the agency's consumer information
regulations and the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) by
rescinding the requirement that passenger car manufacturers provide
general UTQGS information to purchasers and potential purchasers at the
point of sale of new vehicles, requiring instead that such information
be included in owners' manuals. In addition, this rule removes the
requirement that manufacturers supply copies of UTQGS information to
the agency, and removes a number of obsolete definitions. Finally, this
rule amends the existing exclusion of tires with nominal rim diameters
of 10-12 inches from the UTQGS to now exclude tires with nominal rim
diameters of 12 inches or less.
This action is being taken because the agency believes that
elimination of the point-of-sale requirement will relieve a significant
burden on vehicle manufacturers and dealers, yet will have little
effect on consumers. The agency believes that UTQGS information is of
little value to consumers at the point of sale of new vehicles because
new vehicles are typically sold with tires selected by the manufacturer
based on vehicle model, weight, and options. Further, consumers have
shown little interest in UTQGS when shopping for or purchasing new
vehicles. The agency believes that consumers will be better served by
requiring such information to be included in owners' manuals for the
future reference of those consumers when shopping for replacement
tires.
DATES: Effective date: The amendments in this final rule are effective
September 1, 1999. Compliance date: Optional early compliance is
permitted beginning on the date of publication of this final rule in
the Federal Register.
Petitions for reconsideration of this final rule must be received
by NHTSA not later than July 8, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Petitions for reconsideration should be submitted to the
Administrator, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20950.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
For technical issues: Mr. P. L. Moore, Safety Standards Engineer,
Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, Office of Safety Performance
Standards, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh
Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590; telephone (202) 366-5222.
For legal issues: Mr. Walter K. Myers, Attorney-Advisor, Office of
the Chief Counsel, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400
Seventh Street, SW, Washington, DC 20590, telephone (202) 366-2992.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
A. Background
Section 30123(e) of Title 49, U.S. Code, requires the Secretary of
Transportation to prescribe a uniform quality grading system for motor
vehicle tires to help consumers make an informed choice when purchasing
tires. NHTSA implemented this statutory mandate by issuing the UTQGS at
49 CFR 575.104, applicable to new passenger car tires. The UTQGS
require passenger car and tire manufacturers and tire brand name owners
to provide consumers with tire grading information with respect to the
tires' relative performance in treadwear, traction, and temperature
resistance characteristics. Excluded from the UTQGS are deep-tread,
winter-type snow tires, space-saver or temporary-use spare tires, tires
with nominal rim diameters of 10 to 12 inches, and limited production
tires as described in 49 CFR 575.104(c)(2).
Section 575.6(a) of Title 49, CFR, requires that at the time a
motor vehicle is delivered to the first purchaser for purposes other
than resale, the vehicle manufacturer must provide, in writing and in
the English language, the information specified in Secs. 575.103 and
575.104 that is applicable to that vehicle and its tires. The
information required for tires is specified in Sec. 575.104(d)(1)(iii),
which requires vehicle manufacturers to list all possible grades for
traction and temperature resistance and restate verbatim the
explanation of each of the 3 performance areas. The information must
also contain a statement referring the reader to the tire sidewall for
the specific grades of the tires with which the vehicle is equipped.
Section 575.6(c) requires each vehicle manufacturer, brand name owner
of tires, and manufacturer of tires for which there is no brand name
owner to provide the information specified in subpart B of Part 575 to
prospective purchasers at each location at which its vehicles or tires
are offered for sale.
B. Notice of Proposed Rulemaking.
The agency received a petition for rulemaking from the Association
of International Automobile Manufacturers (AIAM) to rescind the UTQGS
requirements on motor vehicle manufacturers. In response to that
petition, the agency published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
on May 21, 1998. The NPRM proposed:
(1) To amend Sec. 575.6(a)(1) by requiring vehicle manufacturers to
include the UTQGS information prescribed in Sec. 575.104, Figure 2,
Part II, in each vehicle's owner's manual rather than requiring them to
provide UTQGS information to purchasers and prospective purchasers at
the point of sale of new vehicles. This action would delete the
requirement that manufacturers provide UTQGS information at the point
of sale, but would instead make that information available to vehicle
purchasers in their owners' manuals;
(2) To amend Sec. 575.104(c)(1) to exclude tires with nominal rim
diameters of 12 inches or less, rather than tires with nominal rim
diameters of 10-12 inches. This change would eliminate any ambiguity
about grading tires smaller than 10 inches;
(3) To delete the definition of ``brake power unit,'' ``lightly
loaded vehicle weight,'' ``maximum loaded vehicle weight,'' and
``maximum sustained vehicle speed'' from Sec. 575.2(c) because they are
no longer pertinent to part 575; and
(4) To revise Example 2 in Sec. 575.6(a)(1) to reflect the changes
made in that section.
In addition to the above proposals, NHTSA requested comments on a
series of 7 questions soliciting comments on
[[Page 27922]]
such issues as the extent to which consumers and potential consumers
consider the UTQGS information provided by vehicle manufacturers at the
point of sale of new vehicles, what quantities and what costs are
incurred in providing UTQGS information at the point of sale, how much
lead time would be required to include UTQGS information in owners'
manuals, and what costs or other problems would be incurred by
requiring that manufacturers provide the UTQGS ratings for the specific
tires mounted on each vehicle.
C. Comments on the NPRM.
NHTSA received comments from Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.
(Mercedes), Volkswagen of North America, Inc. (VW), AIAM, and the
American Automobile Manufacturers Association (AAMA) in response to the
NPRM. The comments are summarized as follows:
(1) Delete Requirement for UTQGS Information at Point of Sale of
New Vehicles. The commenters unanimously supported the proposal to
delete the requirement that motor vehicle manufacturers provide UTQGS
information to purchasers and prospective purchasers at the point of
sale of new vehicles. All agreed that purchasers and prospective
purchasers rarely ask for UTQGS information at that point. They argued
that, in any case, UTQGS information is of no value at that point
because tires are not an item of choice for vehicle purchasers. They
asserted, therefore, that such information is irrelevant for purchasers
and prospective purchasers of vehicles, but should be provided at the
place where replacement tires are being considered.
(2) Require UTQGS Information in Owner's Manuals. Only Mercedes
expressed support for the proposal to include the UTQGS information in
owner's manuals, saying that such information ``located in the owners'
manual would assist owners who would like to purchase replacement tires
at any of a number of aftermarket establishments.''
The others uniformly opposed including UTQGS information in owners'
manuals. VW stated that it has been voluntarily including UTQGS
information in its owners' manuals. However, VW and AIAM agreed that
that is not essential because the UTQGS information will be available
anyway when consumers consider the purchase of replacement tires. AAMA
stated that its members voluntarily provide UTQGS information in
owners' manuals but, given the lack of consumer interest in this
information at the time of new vehicle purchase, AAMA does not believe
that providing UTQGS information in owners' manuals is justified. AAMA
argued that UTQGS information may be a factor in the purchase of
replacement tires, therefore such information should be provided where
replacement tires are offered for sale. AAMA noted that UTQGS
information changes periodically, such as when the AA traction rating
was established by the final rule of September 9, 1996 (61 FR 47437).
Therefore, maintaining UTQGS information at retail tire outlets would
provide up-to-date information to consumers rather than leaving them to
rely on possibly obsolete information that was current at the time
their owners' manuals were printed.
(3) UTQGS Information for Individual Vehicles. As stated above,
NHTSA posed a series of questions in the NPRM, the 7th of which read:
What would be the costs and/or other problems for passenger car
manufacturers to provide, in leaflet form or in the owner's manual,
the UTQGS ratings for the specific tires provided on each individual
vehicle?
All commenters opposed this suggestion, although to varying
degrees. Mercedes stated that because the type of tires with which a
vehicle is originally equipped will likely change during the life of
the vehicle, information on the original tires would be irrelevant. In
addition, owners may erroneously assume that the original tire type is
the only type of tire appropriate for the vehicle. VW asserted that
tires installed at the assembly plant can be different, depending on
the driveline configuration, options, and tire availability. VW, AIAM
and AAMA argued that such a requirement would be extremely burdensome
and impose unnecessary costs without providing any benefit to consumers
considering purchase of a new vehicle.
(4) Providing UTQGS Information to NHTSA. VW, AIAM, and AAMA
opposed the proposal to retain the requirement that vehicle and tire
manufacturers provide UTQGS information to NHTSA not less than 30 days
prior to availability of the product to consumers. VW, AIAM, and AAMA
argued that such information would merely be a verbatim restatement of
the information in Figure 2, Part II of Sec. 575.104 and therefore a
needless burden on manufacturers. AAMA further stated that this
requirement is becoming increasingly difficult to administer because of
the staggering of new model introductions which necessitates multiple
submission of the same information.
(5) Location of UTQGS Ratings. AIAM opposed the agency's proposal
to require that the UTQGS information in the owner's manual include a
statement that the grades for the tires on the vehicle can be found on
the tires' sidewalls. AIAM argued that that is not helpful to consumers
since UTQGS information is meant to be helpful only in tire purchases.
(6) Effective Date. Mercedes urged the agency to specify an
effective date of September 1, 1999 for the proposed amendments to
permit modification of the owner's manual to correspond with a new
model year.
(7) Deletion of Obsolete Definitions. Finally, AIAM and AAMA
supported the proposed deletion of the definitions of brake power unit,
lightly loaded vehicle weight, maximum loaded vehicle weight, and
maximum sustained vehicle speed as being obsolete and unneeded.
D. Agency Analysis and Decision
(1) Delete Requirement for UTQGS Information at Point of Sale of
New Vehicles. NHTSA has decided to rescind the requirement that vehicle
manufacturers provide UTQGS information to purchasers and prospective
purchasers of motor vehicles. The agency is persuaded by the rationale
in the AIAM petition and the comments of the others that purchasers and
prospective purchasers of motor vehicles are not concerned with the
UTQGS when shopping for or purchasing a new vehicle. AAMA and AIAM
stated that consumers rarely ask for UTQGS information and do not
indicate that this is a factor in their purchase decisions. Further, VW
and AIAM pointed out that tires are not an option when purchasing a new
vehicle because different vehicles may be equipped with different types
of tires, depending on the vehicle model, options selected by the
purchaser, and the availability of tires at the assembly plant. It is
clear, therefore, that this requirement provides little, if any,
benefit to consumers, while constituting an administrative burden on
vehicle manufacturers. Accordingly, the recission of this requirement
will relieve that administrative burden on vehicle manufacturers.
(2) Require UTQGS Information in Owners' Manuals. NHTSA has decided
to require the general UTQGS information set forth in Figure 2, Part
II, of Sec. 575.104 to be included in vehicle owners' manuals.
Although AIAM stated that many manufacturers already include UTQGS
[[Page 27923]]
information in their owners' manuals, VW, AIAM, and AAMA opposed the
NHTSA proposal to require UTQGS information to be placed in owners'
manuals rather than requiring that information to be provided to
purchasers and prospective vehicle purchasers at the point of vehicle
sales (see C(2) above). They argued that UTQGS information is not
essential and should only be provided for consumers when shopping for
replacement tires.
NHTSA continues to believe that UTQGS information should be
included in owners' manuals because the owner's manual stays with the
vehicle, even though owners of that vehicle may change from time to
time. As the commenters noted, consumers rarely seek UTQGS information
when shopping for new vehicles. However, when it is time to replace the
original tires on a vehicle, the UTQGS information will be readily
available in the owner's manual along with all other information
pertaining to that vehicle. The owner's manual serves as a primary
reference source for all aspects of the vehicle, including the tires.
Therefore, it is logical to assume that when replacement tires are
needed, the then owner of the vehicle will refer to the owner's manual
for information and recommendations from the manufacturer as to what
type, size, and construction of tire would be suitable for that
particular vehicle. The UTQGS information in the owner's manual will
educate the consumer in advance and inform that person as to what
grades, among other factors, to look for before arriving at the tire
store. It is also quite possible that if the UTQGS information were not
available to the consumer in the owner's manual, that information might
never be made available to that consumer.
AAMA argued that allowing consumers to get up-to-date UTQGS
information at the tire store is preferable to getting what might be
obsolete information from the owner's manual. AAMA cited the changes to
the UTQGS in September 9, 1996 which, among other things, created the
AA traction rating. NHTSA acknowledges that there is some validity to
that point. However, although the grades of the various tire lines may
change, the general information with respect to the UTQGS does not, and
that is what the agency is requiring in the owner's manual. The general
information in the owner's manual acquaints the consumer with the
grading system so that when that person arrives at the tire store, he
or she will know that tires are quality graded and can then concentrate
on ascertaining the grades of the various tires.
(3) UTQGS Information for Individual Vehicles. NHTSA has decided
not to require manufacturers to provide the UTQGS ratings on the tires
of individual vehicles. The commenters stated that such a requirement
would be impractical and would present a costly and time-consuming
burden on manufacturers with no benefit to consumers. The agency is
persuaded by the comments that the tires mounted on vehicles depend on
the size, weight, and options on the vehicle as well as the
availability of tires at the assembly plant, and that there would
therefore be no cost-efficient way to provide this information with
each individual vehicle.
(4) Providing UTQGS Information to NHTSA. NHTSA has decided not to
maintain the requirement that vehicle manufacturers provide UTQGS
information to NHTSA not less than 30 days prior to availability of the
product to consumers. The commenters are correct that such submissions
merely reiterates the UTQGS general information contained in Figure 2,
Part II of Sec. 575.104. Not requiring this information will alleviate
another administrative burden on manufacturers that would have no
benefit to consumers, at the same time relieving the agency of
receiving and processing information that is not needed for management
of the UTQGS program.
(5) Location of UTQGS Ratings. NHTSA has decided to require that
the general UTQGS information included in the owners' manuals include a
statement that the grades for the tires on the vehicle can be found on
the tires' sidewalls. NHTSA believes that since new vehicles come with
tires selected by the vehicle manufacturer and not by the vehicle
purchaser, that purchaser should know how and where to find the grades
of the tires on the vehicle. Since the agency is not requiring the
vehicle manufacturer to provide the purchaser with the grading
information of the tires on each vehicle (see D(3) above), NHTSA
believes that it is important that the consumer be advised as to where
to find the grades of the tires on the new vehicle.
(6) Effective Date. As requested by Mercedes, NHTSA has decided to
make the amendments in this final rule effective on September 1, 1999
to permit the revisions of owners' manuals to coincide with the change
of model years. Early optional compliance is permitted.
(7) Deletion of Obsolete Definitions. NHTSA has decided to delete
the definitions of brake power unit, lightly loaded vehicle weight,
maximum loaded vehicle weight, and maximum sustained speed. AIAM and
AAMA supported this proposal and since these definitions were
applicable to previously rescinded sections of part 575, they are no
longer needed for any of the provisions of part 575.
(8) Other Amendments to Part 575. NHTSA is also revising Example 2
in Sec. 575.6(a)(1) to be more representative of the type of tables
that might appear in owners' manuals pursuant to Sec. 575.103. It is
also amending Sec. 575.104(c)(1) to exclude from the provisions of
Sec. 575.104 tires with nominal rim diameters of 12 inches or less.
NHTSA proposed these amendments in the NPRM, but none of the commenters
addressed these issues. NHTSA continues to believe that with the
amendment to Sec. 575.6(a)(1), revision of Example 2 is necessary in
order to be consistent with that paragraph as amended. Further, NHTSA
is changing the exclusion from Sec. 575.104 of tires with nominal rim
diameters between 10 and 12 inches to tires with nominal rim diameters
of 12 inches or less in order to avoid any confusion as to the
exclusion of tires below 10 inches.
E. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices
(1) Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and
Procedures. This document was not reviewed under Executive Order 12866,
Regulatory Planning and Review. NHTSA has analyzed the impact of this
rulemaking action and has determined that it is not ``significant''
under the DOT's regulatory policies and procedures. This final rule
relieves motor vehicle manufacturers of the requirement to provide
UTQGS information to purchasers and prospective purchasers of new motor
vehicles at the points of sale of those vehicles, but requires the
manufacturers of vehicles equipped with passenger car tires to include
that UTQGS information in the owner's manual of each individual such
vehicle. NHTSA believes that the cost of adding UTQGS information to
owners' manuals, which vehicle manufacturers are already required to
provide, will be minimal and in any case, less than the cost of
preparing and providing separate UTQGS information at new vehicle
dealerships. AIAM pointed out in its petition, confirmed by other
commenters, that some vehicle manufacturers already include UTQGS
information in their owners' manuals. NHTSA believes, therefore, that
implementation of this rulemaking action will result in an undetermined
net overall cost savings to vehicle manufacturers. The agency believes,
however, that any net cost savings will
[[Page 27924]]
be minimal, therefore not warranting preparation of a full regulatory
evaluation.
(2) Regulatory Flexibility Act. NHTSA has considered the effects of
this rulemaking action under the Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C.
601, et seq.). I hereby certify that this final rule will not have a
significant impact on a substantial number of small entities.
The following is the agency's statement providing the factual basis
for the certification (5 U.S.C. 605(b)). The amendments herein will
primarily affect manufacturers of passenger cars and multipurpose
passenger vehicles (MPV) that are equipped with passenger car tires.
The Small Business Administration (SBA) regulation at 13 CFR part 121
defines a small business in part as a business entity ``which operates
primarily within the United States'' (13 CFR 121.105(a)).
SBA's size standards are organized according to Standard Industrial
Classification (SIC) codes. SIC code No. 3711, ``Motor Vehicles and
Passenger Car Bodies,'' has a small business size standard of 1,000
employees or fewer. SIC code No. 3714, ``Motor Vehicle Parts and
Accessories,'' has a small business size standard of 750 or fewer
employees.
For manufacturers of passenger cars and MPVs, NHTSA estimates that
there are at most 5 small manufacturers of passenger cars in the U.S.
Each such manufacturer serves a niche market, often specializing in
replicas or ``classic'' cars. Production for each such manufacturer is
fewer than 100 cars per year. Thus, there are at most 500 such cars
manufactured per year by U.S. small businesses.
By contrast, NHTSA estimates that there are 9 large manufacturers
of passenger cars and light trucks and vans (LTV) in the U.S. Total
U.S. manufacturing production per year is approximately 15 to 15.5
million passenger cars and LTVs. Thus, NHTSA does not believe that
small businesses manufacture even 0.1 percent of the total U.S.
passenger car and LTV production per year.
In view of the above discussion under E(1), NHTSA believes that
small businesses, small organizations, and small governmental units
will be affected by the proposed amendments only to the extent that
there may be a very slight, minimal decrease in the cost of new
passenger cars. Thus, the agency has not prepared a preliminary
regulatory flexibility analysis.
(3) Executive Order 12612, Federalism. NHTSA has analyzed this
rulemaking action in accordance with the principles and criteria of E.
O. 12612 and has determined that this rule does not have sufficient
federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a Federalism
Assessment.
(4) National Environmental Policy Act. NHTSA has analyzed this
rulemaking action for the purposes of the National Environmental Policy
Act and has determined that implementation of this rulemaking action
will not have any significant impact on the quality of the human
environment.
(5) Paperwork Reduction Act. The provisions of this final rule
requiring manufacturers to provide information in owners' manuals
explaining the UTQGS tire quality grades for the benefit of consumers
are considered to be third-party information collection requirements as
defined by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in 5 CFR part
1320. The information collection requirements for 49 CFR part 575 have
been submitted to and approved by OMB pursuant to the provisions of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq. This collection of
information authority has been assigned control numbers 2127-0049 for
part 575, excluding the UTQGS; and 2127-0519, Uniform Tire Quality
Grading Standards, 49 CFR part 575.104, and has been approved for use
through September 30, 2001.
(6) Civil Justice Reform. The amendments in this final rule will
have no retroactive effect. Under 49 U.S.C. 30103(b), whenever a
Federal motor vehicle safety standard is in effect, a state or
political subdivision of a state may prescribe or continue in effect a
standard applicable to the same aspect of performance of a motor
vehicle only if the standard is identical to the Federal standard.
However, the United State government, a state or political subdivision
of a state may prescribe a standard for a motor vehicle or motor
vehicle equipment obtained for its own use that imposes a higher
performance requirement than that required by the Federal standard. 49
U.S.C. 30161 sets forth a procedure for judicial review of final rules
establishing, amending or revoking Federal motor vehicle safety
standards. A petition for reconsideration or other administrative
proceedings is not required before parties may file suit in court.
(7) Unfunded Mandates Reform Act. The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act
of 1995 (Pub. L. 104-4) requires agencies to prepare a written
assessment of the costs, benefits and other effects of proposed or
final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to result in the
expenditure by state, local, or tribal governments, in the aggregate,
or by the private sector, of more than $100 million annually. This
final rule does not meet the definition of a Federal mandate because
this rule involves very little, if any, additional costs to vehicle or
tire manufacturers and in no case will annual expenditures exceed the
$100 million threshold.
List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 575
Consumer protection, Labeling, Motor vehicle safety, Motor
vehicles, Rubber and rubber products, Tires.
In consideration of the foregoing, 49 CFR part 575 is amended as
follows:
PART 575--CONSUMER INFORMATION REGULATIONS
1. The authority citation for part 575 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 322, 30111, 30115, 30117, and 30166;
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.
Sec. 575.2 [Amended]
2. Section 575.2(c) is amended by removing the definitions of Brake
power unit, Lightly loaded vehicle weight, Maximum loaded vehicle
weight, and Maximum sustained vehicle speed.
* * * * *
3. Section 575.6 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(1),
(d)(1)(i), (d)(1)(ii), and (d)(2), to read as follows:
Sec. 575.6 Requirements.
(a)(1) At the time a motor vehicle is delivered to the first
purchaser for purposes other than resale, the manufacturer of that
vehicle shall provide the Uniform Tire Quality Grading information
required by Sec. 575.104(d)(1)(iii) in the owner's manual of each
vehicle it produces. The vehicle manufacturer shall also provide to the
purchaser, in writing and in the English language, the information
specified in Sec. 575.103 of this part that is applicable to that
vehicle. The information provided with a vehicle may contain more than
one table, but the document must either:
(i) Clearly and unconditionally indicate which of the tables apply
to the vehicle with which it is provided, or
(ii) Contain a statement on its cover referring the reader to the
vehicle certification label for specific information concerning which
of the tables apply to that vehicle. If the manufacturer chooses option
in paragraph (a)(1)(ii) of this section, the vehicle certification
label shall include such specific information.
Example 1. Manufacturer X furnishes a document containing
several tables that apply to various groups of vehicles that it
produces. The document contains the following notation on its front
page: ``The information that applies to this vehicle is
[[Page 27925]]
contained in Table 5.'' That notation satisfies the requirement.
Example 2. Manufacturer Y furnishes a document containing
several tables as in Example 1, with the following notation on its
front page:
``Information applies as follows:
Model P. Regular cab, 135 in. (3,430 mm) wheel base--Table 1.
Model P. Club cab, 142 in. (3,607 mm) wheel base--Table 2.
Model Q--Table 3.''
This notation does not satisfy the requirement, since it is
conditioned on the model or the equipment of the vehicle with which
the document is furnished, and therefore additional information is
required to select the proper table.
* * * * *
(d)(1)(i) Except as provided in paragraph (d)(1)(ii) of this
section, in the case of all sections of subpart B other than
Sec. 575.104, as they apply to information submitted prior to new model
introduction, each manufacturer of motor vehicles shall submit to the
Administrator 2 copies of the information specified in subpart B of
this part that is applicable to the vehicles offered for sale, at least
90 days before information on such vehicles is first provided for
examination by prospective purchasers pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
section.
(ii) Where an unforeseen preintroduction modification in vehicle
design or equipment results in a change in vehicle performance for a
characteristic included in subpart B of this part, a manufacturer of
motor vehicles may revise information previously furnished under
paragraph (d)(1)(i) of this section by submission to the Administrator
of 2 copies of the revised information reflecting the performance
changes, at least 30 days before information on such vehicles is first
provided to prospective purchasers pursuant to paragraph (c) of this
section.
(d)(2) In the case of Sec. 575.104, and all other sections of
subpart B as they apply to post-introduction changes in information
submitted for the current model year, each manufacturer of motor
vehicles, each brand name owner of tires, and each manufacturer of
tires for which there is no brand name owner shall submit to the
Administrator 2 copies of the information specified in subpart B of
this part that is applicable to the vehicles or tires offered for sale,
at least 30 days before it is first provided for examination by
prospective purchasers pursuant to paragraph (c) of this section.
* * * * *
4. Section 575.104 is amended by revising (c)(1), (d)(1)(i), and
(d)(1)(iii), to read as follows:
Sec. 575.104 Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards
* * * * *
(c) Application. (1) This section applies to new pneumatic tires
for use on passenger cars. However, this section does not apply to deep
tread, winter-type snow tires, space-saver or temporary use spare
tires, tires with nominal rim diameters of 12 inches or less, or to
limited production tires as defined in paragraph (c)(2) of this
section.
* * * * *
(d) * * *
(1)(ii) In the case of the information required by Sec. 575.6(c) to
be furnished to prospective purchasers of tires, each tire manufacturer
or brand name owner shall, as part of that information, list all
possible grades for traction and temperature resistance, and restate
verbatim the explanation for each performance area specified in Figure
2. The information need not be in the same format as in Figure 2. The
information must indicate clearly and unambiguously the grade in each
performance area for each tire of that manufacturer or brand name owner
offered for sale at the particular location.
(iii) Each manufacturer of motor vehicles equipped with passenger
car tires shall include in the owner's manual of each such vehicle a
list of all possible grades for traction and temperature resistance and
restate verbatim the explanation for each performance area specified in
Figure 2, Part II. The information need not be in the exact format of
Figure 2, Part II, but it must contain a statement referring the reader
to the tire sidewall for the specific tire grades for the tires with
which the vehicle is equipped, as follows:
Uniform Tire Quality Grading
Quality grades can be found where applicable on the tire
sidewall between tread shoulder and maximum section width. For
example:
Treadwear 200 Traction AA Temperature A
* * * * *
Issued on: May 14, 1999.
Ricardo Martinez,
Administrator.
[FR Doc. 99-13064 Filed 5-21-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P