Interpretation ID: nht88-2.28

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 05/18/88

FROM: HIROSHI KATO -- ASSISTANT VICE-PRESIDENT MMC SERVICES INC

TO: ERIKA JONES -- CHIEF COUNSEL NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO LETTER DATED 09/21/88 TO HIROSHI KATO FROM ERIKA Z JONES, REDBOOK A32, STANDARD 201

TEXT: Dear Ms. Jones:

This letter serves to request an interpretation of the requirements of 49 CFR Part 571.201; Occupant Protection in Interior Impact for the "one-piece" instrument panels and console assemblies in the passenger vehicle interiors shown in the enclosures.

We request that these enclosures be treated confidentially under the provisions of 49 CFR Part 512; Confidential Business Information. An affidavit attesting to the confidentiality is also enclosed.

Section S3.1 of FMVSS 201 requires that the deceleration of the head foam impacted into the instrument panel within the head impact area must not exceed 80g continuously for 3 ms. The console assembly is exempted from this head impact areas as described in S3.1.1.

In your letter to Tsuyoshi Shimizu of our office dated October 27, 1986, you defined the instrument panel to be the vehicle structure below the windshield used to mount a vehicle's gauges. Gauge is described in 49 CFR 571.101; Definitions under S4. to m ean a display that is listed in S5.1 or in Table 2 and is not a telltale. Specifically, gauges are listed in S5.1 as the speedometer, turn signal, gear position, brake failure warning, fuel, engine coolant temperature, oil, high beam, and electrical cha rge. Table 2 adds the following gauges: malfunction in anti-lock or brake systems, odometer, and automatic gear position.

Based on this definitions, we determine the instrument panel to be areas where gauges are mounted which communicate critical vehicle functions to the driver. In contrast, the console assembly is where less essential functions are located, heater control panel, radio, ashtray, etc., which aid in occupant comfort.

Based on this judgment, we have delineated the separation of the instrument panel and console assembly on the enclosed diagrams just above the heater control panel (highlighted by a solid-slashed line). View Z on the same attachments shows the "setback" area which makes this boundary line clearer. While 49 CFR 571.103, Windshield Defrosting and Defogging Systems specifies performance criteria for the defroster and although we consider the defroster a necessary safety function, it is not a gauge and, th erefore, is not included as part of the instrument panel.

I ask for your confirmation of this interpretation and the acceptability of our indicated separation of the instrument panels and console assemblies on the enclosed diagrams. If you have any questions, please call me at (313) 353-5444.

Sincerely,

ENCLOSURES (6)