Interpretation ID: nht72-3.1

DATE: 01/25/72

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; E. T. Driver; NHTSA

TO: North Carolina Tire Dealers Retreaders Association, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: Thank you for sending a copy of your December 1971 issue "Tarheel Tire Topics". In a note attached to these topics you asked Dr. E. H. Wallace to clarify whether a tubeless tire casing can be changed to a tube-type retread by identifying it as such during the process.

There is no prohibition of this practice mentioned in Standard No. 117 relating to retreaded tires. (Illegible Words) the rule is clear concerning the necessity for maintaining the highest quality in selection of materials and processings during the retreaded process. We would be interested in an explanation of the circumstances where it appears necessary to change a tubeless casing to a tubed tire. The circumstances which we visualize leading to this change seem to us to lead to rejection of the casing for any retread purposes.

We also would like to point out that, although not strictly prohibited, the manufacturer who changes a tubeless casing to a tubed tire is liable for penalties if the resulting tire will not perform on compliance tests.