Chevy S-10 spare tires may fall off WASHINGTON—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating whether spare tires on Chevrolet S-10 pickup trucks are likely to fall off while the vehicles are in use.
Involved in the preliminary investigation—the first stage of a NHTSA investigation—are 1.45 million S-10 pickups built between 1991 and 1996. The wire cable/winch assemblies holding the spares may break and cause the tire to fall, the agency said.
NHTSA has received 25 complaints on this issue, including four reports of falling tires hitting either the S-10's underbody or other vehicles on the road. One person riding in an S-10 was injured in one of these accidents, the agency said.
Among other rubber-related preliminary evaluations at NHTSA are:
Alleged front brake hose failures on 19,000 1996-97 Ford Mustang Cobras; and
Alleged front brake hose abrasion on an unknown number of General Motors C- and K-Series trucks, caused by the wheel rim.
Cooper to offer new winter lines
FINDLAY, Ohio—Cooper Tire & Rubber Co. said it has seven tire lines that will meet the new Rubber Manufacturers Association guidelines for use in severe snow conditions.
On Feb. 1, the RMA announced voluntary guidelines for passenger and light truck tires. Snow tires meeting the guidelines in tread patterns and construction elements are to be marked with the letters M and S, plus a pictograph of a mountain with a snowflake inside it.
Cooper-made products qualifying for the severe snow definition include the Cooper Weather Master S/T and Weather Master XGR; Wintermaster XRT studless and Wintermaster Plus; Mastercraft Glacier-Grip and Glacier-Grip XT and the Dean Wintercat.
Cooper's winter tires should be available for the 1999-2000 winter season, said John Pecoraro, product marketing manager.
Goodyear boosts training program
LOUISVILLE, Ky.—Goodyear has endorsed the International Tire and Rubber Association's Commercial Tire Service Training and Certification programs for its Truckwise and commercial dealers.
The Akron-based tire maker will co-op 100 percent of the tuition for Truckwise dealers and 75 percent for other Goodyear dealers. The ITRA program will be a major component of Goodyear's Truckwise program, the company said.
Yokohama names new president
FULLERTON, Calif.—Yokohama Tire Corp. CEO Yasuo Tominaga has been appointed president and representative director of parent Yokohama Rubber Co. Ltd.
The appointment is effective April 1. Mr. Tominaga will continue to serve as YTC's CEO.
Yokohama Rubber's board of directors also selected President Seiji Hagiwara as chairman and current Chairman Kazuo Motoyama to director and adviser.
Goodyear wins PACE award
DEARBORN, Mich.—Goodyear received the 1999 Automotive News PACE award March 1 for its innovative design of run-flat tires specified as standard equipment on the Chevrolet Corvette and Plymouth Prowler.
Seven other companies among 20 finalists received PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contributions to Excellence) awards. The winners represented large and small companies.
The annual industry event recognizes automotive suppliers for innovation, technological enhancement and business performance.
RMA revises tire warranty article
WASHINGTON—The Rubber Manufacturers Association has revised and re-released its article ``Did You Complete Your Obligation Under the Law?''
"The previous article incorrectly stated that retreaded tires must be registered," said Gloria Bartholomew, director of the RMA's technical and standards department.
The article educates tire dealers about their legal responsibilities for tire warranties and tire registration. The revised version outlines tire registration requirements and penalties under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.
A dealer list of tire companies and their addresses for warranty brochures, registration forms and other information also is included. Free copies are available by contacting Ms. Bartholomew at (202) 682-4843, or by e-mail at [email protected]