Interpretation ID: nht76-1.45

DATE: 06/21/76

FROM: AUTHOR UNAVAILABLE; T. W. Herlihy for S. P. Wood; NHTSA

TO: NTDRA Dealer News

TITLE: FMVSS INTERPRETATION

TEXT: I am writing to point out an error in an article that appeared in the May 24-31, 1976, issue of NTDRA Dealer News (Vol. XXXIX, No. 15). The article summarized a recent Federal Register notice (41 FR 18659; May 6, 1976; Docket No. 71-19; Notice 4) that delayed certain effective dates of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.

The error appears in the paragraph of the article that reads:

Section 5.1.1 says that rims used must be those designated by the tire manufacturer. The effective date has been changed from March 1, 1977 to September 1, 1979.

One requirement of S5.1.1 is that a vehicle be equipped with rims that have been designated by the manufacturer of the vehicle's tires as suitable for use with those tires. The effective date of this requirement was originally established as September 1, 1976, and was not delayed by Notice 4. Another requirement of S5.1.1 is that a vehicle be equipped with rims that comply with the standard, i.e., with rims that are marked according to S5.2, Rim Marking. Only the effective date of this vehicle requirement was changed from March 1, 1977, to September 1, 1979.

A clarification of these effective dates in a forthcoming issue of NTDRA Dealer News would be much appreciated.

Yours truly,

ATTACH.

Federal Register Lists Changes In Standard #120

WASHINGTON, D C -- The Department of Transportation has announced several changes in Standard #120. The Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars.

The changes are

Section 5.1.1 says that rims used must be those designated by the (Illegible Word) manufacturer. The effective date has been changed from March 1, 1977 to September 1, 1979.

Section 5.2 concerned with rim markings will be made effective August 1, 1977 rather than August 1, 1976

Section 5.3 concerning the certification label will apply to vehicles made on or after September 1, 1977 rather than 1976 When the Standard was issued on January 23, 1976, DOT told passenger car manufacturers that descriptive labels placed on new cars must make reference to the weight to be carried and to specify the tire size to be used and at what air pressure. The notice to new car makers had an effective date of September 1, 1976. It has been changed to September 1, 1977.