Interpretation ID: 1984-1.39

TYPE: INTERPRETATION-NHTSA

DATE: 04/11/84

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; Frank Berndt; NHTSA

TO: Mazda (North America) Inc.

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT:

Mr. Stephen Underwood Mazda (North America), Inc. 23777 Greenfield Road Suite 462 Southfield, Michigan 48075

Dear Mr. Underwood:

This is to follow up on your phone conversation with Stephen Oesch of my staff on Standard No. 203, Impact Protection for the Driver From the Steering Control System. You asked how the steering wheel should be positioned when it is tested in accordance with the standard. As explained below, the steering wheel should be positioned at its design angle, as specified by the manufacturer.

Standard No. 203 incorporates by reference Society of Automotive Engineers Recommended Practice J944, Steering Wheel Assembly Laboratory Test Procedure, December 1965. Section 6.2 of SAE J944 provides that the steering wheel is to be mounted "at the proper angle as determined by the package drawing." Therefore, the agency would mount the column at the design angle specified by the manufacturer.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.

Sincerely,

Frank Berndt Chief Counsel