Interpretation ID: nht69-2.17

DATE: 10/16/69

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; H. M. Jacklin, Jr.; NHTSA

TO: E.T.R.T.O.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This will acknowledge your recent submittal of data to the National Highway Safety Bureau, concerning the addition of the belted-bias tire construction as a new category within Table I of Appendix A of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109. Your submittal was not accompanies by a cover letter.

The National Highway Safety Bureau realizes that this construction of motor vehicle passenger car tires warrants consideration within Standard No. 109. We do not believe, however, that the introduction of additional tables to the standard is needed to cover belted-bias tires. The tables within the standard are becoming voluminous and the variety of size designations are confusing to the consumer.

During the recent ISO/TC 31 meetings in Rome, Mr. W. W. Jordan, Chief of the Tire Branch discussed briefly with members of your organization our philosophy on the standardization of the tire size designations and load inflation schedules. We have been working closely with the American Tire and Rim Association in further developing the alphanumerical system for tire size designations. We believe we are approaching a workable, standardized solution to the problem. In this light, we understand that members of E.T.R.T.O. visit the United States at regular intervals and we would like to extend an invitation to your organization to have a representative meet with us to review this matter and your petition in detail.

The National Highway Safety Bureau, at the present time, does not plan to differentiate belted-bias type tire construction from other constructions, consequently, we will delay action on your petition until we have the opportunity to discuss it with your representative.