Interpretation ID: nht79-1.49

DATE: 12/14/79

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; F. Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Automobile Importers of America, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in response to your October 29, 1979, request for an interpretation of the Federal motor vehicle safety standards. You asked whether vehicles equipped with space-saver spare tires must be tested for compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards with that spare tire actually used as one of the four tires mounted on the vehicle during the tests. Our interpretation is that the spare tire need not be used during those tests.

This agency does not currently require that a motor vehicle be equipped with a spare tire. If a spare tire is included with the vehicle, it must, of course, comply with all standards applicable to tires.