NHTSA changes calculations for UTQG base course wear rate

WASHINGTON (June 28)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued a final rule, effective July 24, changing the computation of the base course wear rate used in treadwear testing under the Uniform Tire Quality Grading System. The changes, according to NHTSA, establish for the first time a direct comparison between the wear rates of the course monitoring tire and the tire being tested. The Rubber Manufacturers Association objected to the first version of the changes, issued by the agency two years ago, but won´t challenge the final rule because NHTSA "largely accepted what we originally suggested," said Steve Butcher, RMA vice president-technical and standards.