Interpretation ID: 11877.WKM
660 Crestwood Drive
Bloomsburg, PA 17815
Dear Mr. Kunowski:
This responds to your April 3, 1996, letter to Mr. J. P. McGowan, Deputy Attorney General of Pennsylvania, which was forwarded to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for reply. You express safety concerns about the small space-saver spare tires with which new passenger motor vehicles are commonly equipped.
NHTSA=s Director of Intergovernmental Affairs recently responded to a letter on your behalf from Congressman Paul E. Kanjorski, U.S. House of Representatives. As explained in that May 13, 1996, letter, although these spare tires are smaller than regular tires, they are nevertheless required to meet our tire performance standards. We have enclosed a copy of the letter for your convenience, as well as a copy of a January 11, 1993 letter to Senator Bob Graham about these tires.
Should you have any further questions, feel free to contact Walter Myers of my staff at this address or at (202) 366-2992, or FAX (202) 366-3820.
Sincerely,
Samuel J. Dubbin Chief Counsel
Enclosures
cc: Mr. J. P. McGowan
ref:109 d:6/6/96