Skip to main content
Sister Publication Links
  • Rubber News
  • European Rubber Journal
Subscribe
  • Login
  • Register
  • Subscribe
  • Current Issue
  • BEST PLACES TO WORK
  • News
    • HUMANITARIAN
    • TIRE MAKERS
    • COMMERCIAL TIRE
    • GOVERNMENT & LAW
    • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
    • OBITUARIES
    • OPINION
    • MID YEAR REPORT
    • SERVICE ZONE
  • ADAS
  • Data
    • DATA STORE
  • Custom
    • SPONSORED CONTENT
  • Resources
    • Events
    • DIRECTORY
    • CLASSIFIEDS
    • SHOP FLOOR
    • AWARDS
    • ASK THE EXPERT
    • LIVESTREAMS
    • WEBINARS
    • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
    • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
    • BALANCING
    • DEMOUNTING
    • SAFETY
    • TIRE REPAIR
    • TPMS
    • TRAINING
    • VEHICLE LIFTING
    • WHEEL TORQUE
    • Best Places to Work
  • ADVERTISE
  • DIGITAL EDITION
MENU
Breadcrumb
  1. Home
March 12, 2001 01:00 AM

Groups disagree on new labeling standard

Miles Moore
  • Tweet
  • Share
  • Share
  • Email
  • More
    Print

    WASHINGTON—When the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration asked the tire industry's national associations about the best way to change passenger tire labeling requirements, it received conflicting answers.

    The International Tire & Rubber Association and the Rubber Manufacturers Association disagreed on load rating and tire pressure issues. Meanwhile, the Tire Association of North America stressed the readiness of its tire dealer members to meet national standards.

    "Consumers tend to rely on their tire dealer to select tires for their vehicles that will meet all of the manufacturer's recommendations," TANA wrote to NHTSA. "A reputable tire dealer would not permit a consumer to purchase tires that are not appropriate for that vehicle."

    NHTSA's query on how to change labeling on tire sidewalls is the first action to come up under the aegis of the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act passed last year in the wake of Bridgestone/Firestone Inc.'s 6.5-million-tire recall.

    Among other things, the RMA recommended to NHTSA that the maximum tire pressure marking on tire sidewalls be removed because the maximum pressure easily could be mistaken for the recommended pressure, which usually is lower.

    The recommended pressure, load index and speed symbol should be included in a placard placed on a standardized part of the vehicle, the RMA said. The placard is particularly crucial since few motorists know how to use the load rating information on the sidewall properly, it added.

    While ITRA agreed with most of the RMA's comments, it opposed its recommendations on maximum pressure and load ratings, according to the comments signed by ITRA Executive Director Marvin Bozarth.

    ITRA doesn't oppose adding a load index symbol; it is against removing the maximum inflation pressure data on sidewalls, Mr. Bozarth said.

    "We are concerned that the consumer or the tire technician may attempt to inflate a tire without clearly understanding the meaning of the load index symbol," he said. "The maximum inflation pressure in psi helps to avoid unintentional overinflation of tires, and the maximum load in pounds serves as a guide on vehicle load capacity."

    While the maximum inflation pressure is indeed higher in most cases than the recommended pressure, "in most cases, it is not high enough to create major problems," he said.

    Mr. Bozarth also defended the current labeling rules for retread tires.

    TANA's comments, which were not signed, concentrated mostly on the results of a survey of its dealer members. Although few TANA members sell retreaded tires, it said, only 9 percent said they favored changes to retread labeling requirements, and the reasons varied widely.

    Whereas the RMA only recommended a "standardized location" for vehicle placards containing tire information, TANA polled its members on the proper location. The visor led with 43 percent, followed by the doorjamb with 33 percent, while the dashboard, gas cap and glove box also received votes.

    Letter
    to the
    Editor

    Do you have an opinion about this story? Do you have some thoughts you'd like to share with our readers? Tire Business would love to hear from you. Email your letter to Editor Don Detore at [email protected].

    Most Popular
    1
    Goodyear to trim jobs amid 'uncertain' economic outlook
    2
    Goodyear to upgrade Cooper plant in China
    3
    Executives on the move: Hankook promotes key U.S. positions
    4
    Our View: Early look at tire industry in 2023
    5
    Yokohama secures OE fitments on 2023 Prius models
    SIGN UP FOR NEWSLETTERS
    EMAIL ADDRESS

    Please enter a valid email address.

    Please enter your email address.

    Please verify captcha.

    Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe.

    Newsletter Center

    Staying current is easy with Tire Business delivered straight to your inbox.

    SUBSCRIBE TODAY

    Subscribe to Tire Business

    SUBSCRIBE
    Connect with Us
    • Facebook
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • RSS

    Our Mission

    Tire Business is an award-winning publication dedicated to providing the latest news, data and insights into the tire and automotive service industries.

    Reader Services
    • Staff
    • About Us
    • Site Map
    • Industry Sites
    • Order Reprints
    • Customer Service: 877-320-1716
    Partner Sites
    • Rubber News
    • European Rubber Journal
    • Automotive News
    • Plastics News
    • Urethanes Technology
    RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Privacy Policy
    • Privacy Request
    • Terms of Service
    • Media Guide
    • Editorial Calendar
    • Classified Rates
    • Digital Edition
    • Careers
    • Ad Choices Ad Choices
    Copyright © 1996-2023. Crain Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • BEST PLACES TO WORK
    • News
      • HUMANITARIAN
      • TIRE MAKERS
      • COMMERCIAL TIRE
      • GOVERNMENT & LAW
      • MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
      • OBITUARIES
      • OPINION
      • MID YEAR REPORT
      • SERVICE ZONE
    • ADAS
    • Data
      • DATA STORE
    • Custom
      • SPONSORED CONTENT
    • Resources
      • Events
        • ASK THE EXPERT
        • LIVESTREAMS
        • WEBINARS
        • SEMA LIVESTREAMS
        • RUBBER NEWS EVENTS
      • DIRECTORY
      • CLASSIFIEDS
      • SHOP FLOOR
        • BALANCING
        • DEMOUNTING
        • SAFETY
        • TIRE REPAIR
        • TPMS
        • TRAINING
        • VEHICLE LIFTING
        • WHEEL TORQUE
      • AWARDS
        • Best Places to Work
    • ADVERTISE
    • DIGITAL EDITION