[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 52 (Monday, March 18, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 12084]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-6356]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2002-11778; Notice 1]


Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC, Receipt of 
Application for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Bridgestone/Firestone North American Tire, LLC (Firestone), a 
Delaware Limited Liability Company, has determined that approximately 
754 30x9.50 R15 LT Widetrack Baja A/T tires produced in the LaVergne, 
Tennessee plant are not in full compliance with 49 CFR 571.119, Federal 
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 119, ``New pneumatic tires 
for vehicles other than passenger cars, ``and has filed an appropriate 
report pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, ``Defect and Noncompliance 
Reports.'' Firestone has also applied to be exempted from the 
notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. chapter 301--``Motor 
Vehicle Safety'' on the basis that the noncompliance is inconsequential 
to motor vehicle safety.
    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.
    According to the application, ``During weeks 38, 39 and 40 of the 
year 2001, the LaVergne, Tennessee plant of Firestone produced a number 
of tires that fail to comply with the tire marking requirements of 
FMVSS 119 S6.5(d).
    The actual markings on the noncompliant tires are:

Max Load 350 Kg at 1985 kPa cold
Max Load 900 Lbs at 50 PSI cold

    The correct markings are:

Max Load 900 Kg at 350 kPa cold
Max Load 1985 Lbs at 50 PSI cold

    Firestone submits that the failure of the tires to comply with 
FMVSS 119 S6.5(d) should be deemed inconsequential to motor vehicle 
safety for the following reasons:
    (1) All of the affected 30x9.50R15LT Widetrack Baja A/T tires meet 
all of the remaining requirements of 49 CFR, part 119.
    (2) The maximum load as stated on the tire in both English and 
Metric units is actually less than the actual maximum load for these 
tires. Therefore, it is not likely the tires would be placed in an 
unsafe, overload situation as a result of the marking noncompliance. In 
fact, if the consumer relies on the markings, the load will be 
significantly less than the tire is capable of carrying.
    (3) While the inflation pressure is incorrect in Metric units, the 
English inflation units are correct. Since the English units are 
correct and English units are the common usage for inflation in North 
America, it is highly unlikely that the subject tires would be over 
inflated as a result of the marking noncompliance.
    (4) The subject tires are correctly marked Load Range ``C'' and 
Load Index 104. By Tire and Rim Association's data, the Load Range 
``C'' and Load Index 104 define maximum load of 1985 pounds and 900 Kgs 
at 50 psi and 350 kPa.
    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: April 17, 2002.


(49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.50 and 
501.8)
    Issued on: March 11, 2002.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Acting Associate Administrator for Safety Performance Standards.
[FR Doc. 02-6356 Filed 3-8-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P