Interpretation ID: nht75-5.25

DATE: 09/11/75

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank A. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Kenneth J. Mason

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: We have received your letter of August 7, 1975, concerning the Uniform Tire Quality Grading Standards established by this agency. Although the formal comment period for the proposals on which this regulation is based ended April 23, 1975, we appreciate your support for the regulation as issued. A copy of your letter has been placed in our public files.

Thank you for expressing your interest.

SINCERELY,

August 7, 1975

James Gregory National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Department of Transportation

I have recently read in the "Modern Tire Dealer" June 1975 issue, that seven major tire manufacturer have filed suit in the U.S. District Court in Cincinnati to (Illegible word) the new tire grading regulation issued by the Department of Transportation.

I want to go on record, and this letter can be used as evidence, definitely recommending that the Department of Transportation be allowed to continue with its regulation establishing a new grading system. This system will benefit the consumer, save lives in the long run, bring some order to an industry that has been confusing the driving public too long.

I have been in the tire business for 26 years since graduating from the University of Wisconsin in 1949. I have been a partner in a tire business in Nausau, Wisconsin, for the past 20 years. I am confused about the quality of tires sold to the motoring public. Some of the seven manufacturers sell tires to buying groups and these buying groups put a designation of premium on those tires. They look like premium tires and give long mileage. However, I have had numerous people tell me that these tires do not have good stopping ability. The rubber must be so hard that they sacrifice stopping and cornering traction to give the customer longer mileage. Now I ask the question - Is this truly a premium tire - should it carry "premium" as part of its name?

The tire I have described here is sold by Fleet Farm and is called Premium Duralon. It has in the past been manufactured by Davton Tire, a subsidiary of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company. I believe this tire should be checked out and used as evidence in the government case for grading.

I believe the public is being duped by these manufacturers. They have too long continued the general public and the tire dealers of this country. Now we have a chance to clear up this situation.

Kenneth J. Mason