WASHINGTON-Despite industry concern over tire ``plugging'' and other questionable repair practices, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has never considered rulemaking on tire repair procedures. Furthermore, it probably never will. Issuing rules governing tire or auto repair is not part of NHTSA's charter, according to an agency spokesman.
``The standards we publish deal only with newly manufactured vehicles and tires,'' the spokesman said. ``I imagine the military has guidelines and procedures governing auto and tire repair. But repair procedures are simply beyond our purview.''