Interpretation ID: aiam3220
Mercedes-Benz of North America
Inc.
One Mercedes Drive
P.O. Box 350
Montvale
NJ 07645;
Dear Mr. Gerth:#This responds to your letter forwarded to us by Mr Jerry Sonosky, requesting an interpretation of the term 'overall width' as used in Safety Standard No. 104, *Windshield Wiping and Washing Systems*. You ask questions: (1) whether overall width means the design width of a vehicle, or whether it means the maximum possible width allowed by design tolerances, and (2) whether overall width includes plastic, splash molding attached to the vehicle body with screws and nuts.#In answer to your first question, overall width means the maximum design width of the vehicle including tolerances.#Safety Standard No. 104 defines 'overall width' as the maximum overall body width dimension 'W116,' as defined in section E, Ground Vehicle Practice, SAE Aero-space-Automotive Drawing Standards, September 1963. The 'W116' standard specifies that overall width is measured across the body, excluding hardware and applied moldings, but including fenders when integral with the body. Therefore, the overall width of a vehicle would not include splash molding on the sides of the vehicle.#Sincerely, Frank Berndt, Chief Counsel;