NHTSA Seeking Tire Care Tips

WASHINGTON--In the wake of the massive Firestone recall, U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater is setting up the first “rulemaking action” to implement requirements of the recently enacted Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation (TREAD) Act.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is asking the public for comments on ways to provide consumers with information that will help them use their tires more safely.

The agency is seeking responses from the public to a broad array of questions on such matters as the Tire Identification Number (TIN) content, readability and location of the TIN, load rating, speed rating, tire inflation pressure labeling, tread wear indicators, and the Uniform Tire Quality Grading information.

The TREAD Act requires that the Secretary of Transportation initiate rulemaking to improve the labeling of tires and thus help consumers identify tires that may be the subject of a safety recall. Under this new law Slater may take whatever action is necessary to ensure that the public is aware of the importance of observing motor vehicle tire load limits and maintaining proper tire inflation.