[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 14 (Monday, January 22, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 6757]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-1851]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA 2000-8591; Notice 1]


Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., Receipt of Application for Decision 
of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., has determined that approximately 
33,000 P235/75R15 Widetrack Wintertrax tires produced in the Sao Paulo, 
Brazil plant and 1,400 P235/75R15 Lemans A/T tires produced in the 
Decatur, Illinois plant do not meet the labeling requirements mandated 
by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 109, ``New 
Pneumatic Tires.''
    Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h), Bridgestone/Firestone 
has petitioned for a determination that the noncompliance is 
inconsequential to motor vehicle safety and has filed an appropriate 
report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance 
Reports.''
    This notice of receipt of an application is published under 49 
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120 and does not represent any agency decision or 
other exercise of judgment concerning the merits of the application.
    The noncompliance with Section 4.2.1(c) relates to maximum load 
rating for a particular tire size. The Sao Paulo plant produced 33,000 
P235/75R15 Widetrack Wintertrax tires from April 2000 through October 
2000. The affected tires had the maximum load mismarked. The actual 
marking was: Max Load 650 Kg (1433 lbs.) @ 300 Kpa (44 psi). The 
correct marking should have been: Max Load 920 Kg (2029 lbs.) @ 300 Kpa 
(44 psi).
    The affected P235/75R15 Widetrack Wintertrax tires meet all 
requirements of FMVSS No. 109 except the markings pertaining to maximum 
load rating.
    The noncompliance with Section 4.3.4(a) relates to the maximum 
inflation pressure of the tire. The Decatur plant produced 1,400 P235/
75R15 Lemans A/T tires during DOT weeks 36, 37 and 38 of the year 2000. 
The affected tires had the inflation pressure (English units only) 
mismarked on the sidewall opposite the DOT serial number. The actual 
marking was: Max Load 990 Kg (2183 lbs.) @ 340 Kpa (41 psi). The 
correct marking should have been: Max Load 990 Kg (2183 lbs.) @ 340 Kpa 
(50 psi). Bridgestone/Firestone states that this was a single mold 
issue and the markings in that mold have been corrected.
    The affected P235/75R15 Lemans A/T tires meet all requirements of 
FMVSS No. 109. They have the correct inflation in metric units, and the 
recommended operation inflation pressure is defined by the placard on 
the vehicle door or within the owner manual.
    Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., submits that the noncompliance is 
inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety.
    Interested persons are invited to submit written data, views, and 
arguments on the application described above. Comments should refer to 
the docket number and be submitted to: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, Docket Management, Room PL-401, 400 Seventh Street, 
SW., Washington, DC 20590. It is requested that two copies be 
submitted.
    All comments received before the close of business on the closing 
date indicated below will be considered. The application and supporting 
materials, and all comments received after the closing date, will also 
be filed and will be considered to the extent possible. When the 
application is granted or denied, the notice will be published in the 
Federal Register pursuant to the authority indicated below. Comment 
closing date: (February 21, 2001).

(49 U.S.C. 301118, 301120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 
and 501.8)

    Issued on: January 17, 2001.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-1851 Filed 1-19-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P