Interpretation ID: nht71-3.15

DATE: 06/08/71

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; E. T. Driver; NHTSA

TO: Mercedes-Benz of North America, Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in reply to your May 21, 1971, letter to Mr. H. H. Wallace to determine whether Dunlop is in compliance as to the use of spaces in the tire identification number.

There are no objections to the spaces between the different parts of the number. However, the photograph illustrates other problem, that of a dual size marked tire. Dual size marked tires are not permissible. The tire can be labeled as one size tire with the indication that it replaces another size tire. For example, 205R14 replaces ER70-14.

The General Secretary of ETRTO has been advised of the "dual marked" tire usage.