Interpretation ID: nht75-5.20

DATE: 06/30/75

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Robert L. Carter; NHTSA

TO: House of Representatives

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: A reply to your inquiry of June 5, 1975, concerning grade labelling regulations for new passenger car tires was transmitted to you on June 13 by Mr. James II. Cromwell of the Department of Transportation. Mr. Cromwell also referred your inquiry to me for additional comments.

As you are undoubtedly aware, the original impetus for the establishment of a uniform quality grading system for motor vehicle tires was provided by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, which established this agency. The Congress, (Illegible Word) of the problems which beset the consumer when the attempts to make an informed choice of motor vehicle tires based on the relative merits of tire brands, included a specific Section 203 in the aforementioned Safety Act of 1966 which states that, "In order to assist the consumer to make an informed choice in the purchase of motor vehicle tire . . . the Secretary shall . . . prescribe by order, and publish in the Federal Register, a uniform quality grading system for motor vehicle tires."

The benefits of such a system, while difficult to quantify, represent an enormous potential since some 200,000,000 motor vehicle tires are produced per year and are presently sold to consumers without adequate quantitative measures of their performance. It is expected that, by facilitating increased and more meaningful competition, the quality grading information will enable the tire consumer to obtain more value per dollar than he has in the past. The rule will enable the consumer to judge relative tire performance from a simple grading system, and there by select a tire which provides him with the optimum solution to his driving needs.

For your review and information, I am enclosing a copy of the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards (UTQGS) which was issued in the Federal Register dated May 28, 1975. The rule provides quantitative grading measures for three important tire properties -- i.e., treadwear, traction, and temperature resistance.

I trust the above information satisfies your needs. Should you have any further questions, I shall be glad to attempt to provide answers.