NHTSA issues final tire performance standard

WASHINGTON (June 23)—The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has issued the first major revision of federal tire testing and performance standards in 35 years. The new rules go into effect June 1, 2007. They cover all new radial tires for passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses and trailers weighing 10,000 pounds or less and manufactured after 1975. This marks the first time light truck tires have had to meet federal performance standards. Bias-ply tires are excluded specifically from the rule, and certain proposed tests, such as aging, will be postponed pending further research. The Rubber Manufacturers Association, the Tire Industry Association and other industry entities are still studying the 125-page document.