Interpretation ID: nht73-2.38

DATE: 03/30/73

FROM: E.T. DRIVER -- NHTSA; SIGNATURE BY CHARLES A. BAKER

TO: Bridgestone Tire Company of America, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This will acknowledge your letter of March 15, 1973, to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, confirming the telephone conversation with Mr. John A. Dichl of this office.

You are correct that the 5-J alternative rim is not cited within Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 109 and 110 as an approved rim for use with the 195R14 tire size designation. Therefore, it is necessary for your organization to apply to this Administration for the addition of this alternative rim size to the standard. Persons requesting the addition of a new alternative rim size to the standard must conform to the Guidelines as set forth in Standard No. 110. For your information, I have enclosed a copy of these Guidelines. Your attention is directed to Items 4 and 5, wherein the actual laboratory test data is required indicating that the 5-J alternative rim size, in combination with the 195R14 tire size designation, complies with all the requirements of Standards No. 109 and 110. Within Standard No. 109, the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization does not specify the year of the edition. You are correct to refer to the editions or practices issued prior to November 16, 1967.

If we can be of further assistance, please feel free to contact us.

ENC.