WASHINGTON (June 9, 2010)—Union, N.J.-based tire importer Foreign Tire Sales Inc. has asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a finding of inconsequential noncompliance on 2,659 mismarked ProMeter radial replacement medium truck tires manufactured by Shandlong Linglong Rubber Co. Ltd. in China.
The tires, size 285/75R-24.5 14 ply and 295/75R-22.5 14 ply, were manufactured between the 15th and the 22nd weeks of 2009.
They bear the Department of Transportation numbers 285/75R-24.5-OU4CFTS1508-0U4CFT2209 and 295/75R-22.5-OU34FTS1508-0U34FTS2209, NHTSA said in the notice published in the June 8 Federal Register.
According to FTS, the tires in question bear inaccurate load and inflation information, as required by federal truck tire regulations.
The company claimed the inaccurate markings are inconsequential because the difference between the actual and marked load and inflation figures is minimal.
It also said it told Shandlong Linglong to correct the inaccuracies before it sent any more tires to the U.S.
A finding of inconsequential noncompliance would exempt FTS from having to conduct a formal recall of the tires. In 2007, FTS made news when it recalled 255,000 light truck radial tires manufactured by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. for possible belt and tread separation.