WASHINGTON (Jan. 9, 2015) — The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) granted three tire-related petitions for inconsequential noncompliance at year-end.
The notices granting the petitions of China Manufacturers Alliance L.L.C. (CMA), Michelin North America Inc. and American Honda Motor Co. appeared in the Dec. 30 Federal Register.
Of the petitions, the one involving by far the largest number of tires was the CMA petition involving more than 1.75 million Double Coin- and Dynatrac-brand truck and bus tires manufactured in China between 2011 and 2014. Double Coin Holdings Ltd. was the manufacturer, CMA the importer.
During manufacture, Double Coin accidentally omitted from the sidewalls the letter marking that indicates the Load Range, CMA told NHTSA.
Because CMA had certified that the tires met all other requirements of the federal truck tire safety standard, the noncompliance was inconsequential, CMA argued.
NHTSA had tested the tires in question for endurance, and found they met all safety and performance requirements, CMA said. Also, the omitted markings are redundant with other markings required by law, it said.
In a Jan. 6 press release, CMA Vice President Aaron C. Murphy thanked NHTSA and its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI).
“The very important factor is that the tires meet all safety and endurance standards and are neither defective nor performing poorly,” Mr. Murphy said.
Michelin petitioned NHTSA in the case of 889 Michelin Pilot Street Radial motorcycle tires manufactured in Phrapradaeng, Thailand, between Aug. 12, 2012 and Dec. 21, 2013.
On the sidewalls bearing the tire identification numbers (TINs), the markings describing the generic material content of the casing plies for treads and sidewalls were incorrect, Michelin told NHTSA.
The markings stated “2 polyamide” for sidewall plies, whereas “2 polyester” was correct, the tire maker said.
Honda petitioned for a finding of inconsequential noncompliance in the case of 212 Acura TSX passenger cars, model years 2011 and 2012, equipped with accessory 18-inch wheels sold at Honda dealerships.
On those vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning level is set for 17-inch tires. When the 18-inch wheels and tires are installed, Honda told NHTSA, the TPMS warning level cannot be adjusted to warn motorists of underinflation at the higher cold inflation pressure.
Honda said that the noncompliance was inconsequential because adequate load capacity remained for those vehicles even at the lower TPMS threshold.