Interpretation ID: nht95-7.20

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: October 13, 1995

FROM: John Womack -- Acting Chief Counsel, NHTSA

TO: Saburo Inui, -- Vice President, Toyota Motor Corporate Service of North America, Inc.

TITLE: NONE

ATTACHMT: ATTACHED TO 8/22/95 LETTER FROM SABURO INUI TO JOHN WOMACK

TEXT: Dear Mr. Inui:

This responds to Toyota's August 22, 1995, letter regarding the test procedures in this agency's June 7, 1995, amendment to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 114 (60 FR 30006). You were concerned that the test procedure seems to say that the service brake should be applied at two different steps during the test procedure, without specifying when the service brake should be released in between those two steps. You suggested a revised procedure that specifies a step for releasing the service brake, and asked if that procedure conforms with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) test requirement.

After reviewing the issues raised by your letter, we have concluded that a technical amendment should be issued to clarify the test procedure. We expect to issue such an amendment shortly.

I hope this information is helpful. If you have any further questions about NHTSA's safety standards, please feel free to contact Paul Atelsek of my staff at this address or by telephone at (202) 366-2992.