[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 5, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 5972]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-2701]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA 2003-14371; Notice 1]


Cooper Tire & Rubber Company; Receipt of Application for Decision 
of Inconsequential Noncompliance

    Cooper Tire & Rubber Company (Cooper) has determined that certain 
Mastercraft Avenger GT brand tires in the P275/60R15 size 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), Cooper has petitioned for a determination 
that this 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 S4.3(e) relates to the mold number. The 
Findlay, Ohio tire manufacturing facility had one (1) Mold involved in 
production during the twenty-third and thirty-second production weeks 
of 2002 in which one size designation was incorrectly stated. The 
subject tires were molded with the correct size designation P275/60R15 
on both upper sidewalls and on the lower sidewall area on the DOT 
serial number side. However, on the side opposite the DOT serial 
number, they were stamped with an incorrect size designation of P275/
80R15 in the lower sidewall area.
    The incorrect size designation was removed from the mold and the 
correct side designation inserted; however, prior to the mold being 
correctly stamped, 5,706 tires were inadvertently shipped marked with 
the one incorrect size designation.
    Cooper states that the incorrect size designation on each tire does 
not present a safety-related defect. The incorrect marking is the 
series designation. In the two most prominent locations and the serial 
side of the tire, the series designation is correct. Additionally, 
there is not a P275/15 manufactured in an 80 series. The noncompliant 
tires produced from the involved mold during the aforementioned 
production periods comply with all other requirements of 49 CFR 
571.109.
    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: March 7, 2003.
    (49 U.S.C. 301118, 301120; delegations of authority at 49 CFR 
1.50 and 501.8)

    Issued on: January 30, 2003.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 03-2701 Filed 2-4-03; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-U