WASHINGTON (Feb. 12, 2002)-CIMS Inc., the Akron-based firm specializing in tire registration services, “strongly supports” the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's proposal to require the molding of the tire serial number on both sides of the tire.
Because most tire serial numbers appear on the inside of the tire as it is mounted on a vehicle, “the consumer has no realistic, safe way to check the tire serial numbers” in case of a recall, CIMS President Paul J. Kruder said in comments to NHTSA. This constitutes “a continuing major life-threatening problem for consumers,” he said.
The tire identification code contains a two-letter or letter-digit combination identifying the plant where the tire was made, and a four-digit number that tells the week and year of production (1201, for example, would mean the 12th week of 2001), plus some manufacturer-specific coding.
Interested parties have until Feb. 19 to send their comments to NHTSA on its proposed tire labeling changes. To do so, contact NHTSA at — http://dms.dot.gov — and click on the electronic submission button. Refer to Docket No. NHTSA-01-11157. Parties may also fax comments to (202) 493-2251.