[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 11 (Wednesday, January 18, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 5640-5641]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-01006]



[[Page 5640]]

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

[Docket No. NHTSA-2016-0092; Notice 2]


Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC, Grant of Petition for Decision of 
Inconsequential Noncompliance

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Grant of petition.

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SUMMARY: Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA), has determined that certain 
model year (MY) 2016 Mercedes GL-Class multipurpose passenger vehicles 
do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 
No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle 
Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a 
GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. MBUSA filed a defect 
report dated August 12, 2016, and amended it on August 29, 2016. MBUSA 
then petitioned NHTSA on August 31, 2016, for a decision that the 
subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle 
safety.

ADDRESSES: For further information on this decision contact Mr. Kerrin 
Bressant, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway 
Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-1110, 
facsimile (202) 366-5930.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

I. Overview

    Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC (MBUSA), has determined that certain model 
year (MY) 2016 Mercedes GL-Class multipurpose passenger vehicles do not 
fully comply with paragraph S4.3(d) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard (FMVSS) No. 110, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/
Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor 
Vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or Less. MBUSA 
filed a report dated August 12, 2016, and amended it on August 29, 
2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance 
Responsibility and Reports. MBUSA then petitioned NHTSA on August 31, 
2016, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and their 
implementing regulations at 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the 
notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the 
basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor 
vehicle safety.
    Notice of receipt of the petition was published, with a 30-day 
public comment period, on November 14, 2016, in the Federal Register 
(81 FR 79558). No comments were received. To view the petition and all 
supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System 
(FDMS) Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online 
search instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2016-0092.''

II. Vehicles Involved

    Affected are 2,917 of the following MY 2016 Mercedes-Benz GL-Class 
multipurpose passenger vehicles manufactured between December 1, 2015, 
and February 5, 2016:

 GL 350 Bluetec 4Matic SUV (155 vehicles)
 GL 450 4Matic SUV (2,482 vehicles)
 GL 550 4Matic SUV (280 vehicles)

III. Noncompliance

    MBUSA explains that the noncompliance is due to a labeling error. 
The subject vehicles are equipped with a spare tire, size T155/80 R19 
114M; however, the tire information placard affixed to the vehicles' B-
pillar incorrectly identifies the spare tire size as T165/90 R19 119M. 
The placard therefore does not comply with requirements specified in 
paragraph S4.3(d) of FMVSS No. 110.

IV. Rule Text

    Paragraph S4.3 of FMVSS No. 110 states, in pertinent part:

    S4.3 Placard. Each vehicle, except for a trailer or incomplete 
vehicle shall show the information specified in S4.3 (a) through 
(g), and may show, at the manufacturer's option, the information 
specified in S4.3 (h) through (i), on a placard permanently affixed 
to the driver's side B-pillar. In each vehicle without a driver's 
side B-pillar and two doors on the driver's side of the vehicle 
opening in the opposite directions, the placard shall be affixed on 
the forward edge of the rear side door . . .
    (d) Tire size designation, indicated by the headings ``size'' or 
``original tire size'' or ``original size,'' and ``spare tire'' or 
``spare,'' for the tires installed at the time of the first purchase 
for purposes other than resale. For full size spare tires, the 
statement ``see above'' may, at the manufacturer's option replace 
the tire size designation. If no spare tire is provided, the word 
``none'' must replace the tire size designation; . . .

V. Summary of MBUSA's Petition

    MBUSA described the subject noncompliance and stated its belief 
that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor 
vehicle safety.
    In support of its petition, MBUSA stated the following:
    (a) Both tire sizes can be used on the vehicle. The spare tire with 
the size of T165/90 R19 119M (the size stated on the B-pillar label) is 
equipped on older models produced before November 2015. The purpose of 
FMVSS No. 110 is to ``prevent tire overloading,'' see 40 CFR 571. S1, 
and no overloading will result from the incorrect label because either 
tire size (the one stated on the label or the one actually on the 
vehicle) can be used.
    (b) The tire pressure is the same for both spare tire sizes. When 
checking the tire pressure for the spare tire, the customer will find 
the correct tire pressure values on the label. Again, no overloading 
will result from the incorrect label because the correct tire pressure 
values are provided.
    (c) Information regarding the correct spare tire is available to 
the vehicle owner. The vehicles are equipped with an Operator's Manual 
which describes both spare tire sizes. Also, if a tire needs to be 
replaced on the spare wheel, the dealer Electronic Parts Catalogue 
(EPC) correctly specifies the proper tire part number. Additionally, 
further assistance regarding the correct spare tire can be provided by 
the customer assistance center.
    (d) The presumption that the issue described above will have an 
inconsequential impact on safety is supported by field data: MBUSA is 
not aware of any customer complaints, accidents, or injuries alleged to 
have occurred as a result of this tire label discrepancy in the United 
States.
    MBUSA concluded by expressing the belief that the subject 
noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety, 
and that its petition to be exempted from providing notification of the 
noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the 
noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120, should be granted.

NHTSA'S Decision

    NHTSA's Analysis: The intent of FMVSS No. 110 is to ensure that 
vehicles are equipped with tires appropriate to handle maximum vehicle 
loads and prevent overloading. MBUSA explained that the tire placard on 
the affected GL-Class vehicles specifies a spare tire size (T165/90 R19 
119M) that is different than the originally equipped spare tire size 
(T155/80R19 114M). MBUSA stated that no overloading will occur if 
either tire is used. The agency analyzed the load rating specifications 
of both spare tire sizes and confirmed that either tire could be used 
and are appropriate for the subject vehicle's maximum loaded weight 
conditions.

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    MBUSA explained that the recommended tire inflation pressure for 
the labeled spare tire listed on the FMVSS No. 110 tire placard is the 
same inflation pressure that MBUSA would recommend for the originally 
equipped spare tire. The agency verified that both spare tire sizes at 
the labeled recommended inflation pressure are appropriate for the 
maximum loaded weight of the subject vehicles. If a consumer 
inadvertently used the labeled inflation pressure to inflate the 
originally equipped spare tire, the tire load rating would be 
sufficient for the maximum loaded vehicle weight.
    Furthermore, MBUSA explained that the subject vehicle's owner's 
manuals describe both spare tire sizes. The agency believes this 
additional information can be used by the consumer to ensure either 
size is appropriate for use.
    NHTSA's Decision: In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA finds 
that MBUSA has met its burden of persuasion that the subject FMVSS No. 
110 noncompliance in the affected vehicles is inconsequential to motor 
vehicle safety. Accordingly, MBUSA's petition is hereby granted and 
MBUSA is consequently exempted from the obligation of providing 
notification of, and a free remedy for, the subject noncompliance under 
49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120.
    NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 
30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a 
determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers 
only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, 
to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance 
and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, this decision 
only applies to the subject vehicles that MBUSA no longer controlled at 
the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. However, the 
granting of this petition does not relieve vehicle distributors and 
dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for sale, or 
introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of 
the noncompliant vehicles under their control after MBUSA notified them 
that the subject noncompliance existed.

    Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 
49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8.

Jeffrey M. Giuseppe,
Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance.
[FR Doc. 2017-01006 Filed 1-17-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 4910-59-P