WASHINGTON—An inconsequential noncompliance petition from Michelin North America Inc. is moot because it doesn't involve an actual violation of federal tire safety standards, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has ruled.
Michelin petitioned NHTSA about some 1,300 BF Goodrich gForce Sport Comp2 tires, size 205/45Z17 88W, manufactured between June 12, 2011 and April 21, 2012.
The tires, Michelin said, lacked the designation "Extra Load" on their sidewalls. The noncompliance was inconsequential, the company said, because the tires met or exceeded all other applicable federal standards.
However, Michelin later filed comments in the NHTSA docket, saying its petition was in error because "Extra Load" is not a required designation under federal tire standards. NHTSA agreed, saying "Extra Load" is an optional load identification instead of a mandatory tire size designation.