NHTSA issues final rule on replacement tire consumer program

Under a new final rule published by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on March 25, a new consumer program would provide comparative information about the effect of replacement tires on fuel economy, durability and safety. The rule, published in the March 30 Federal Register, will require tire manufacturers to rate replacement tires for passenger cars for the benefit of consumers.

Specifically, the rule establishes tests addressing wet traction, treadwear life and rolling resistance, though does not expressly state how the information is to be provided to the consumer, which will be determined after NHTSA concludes additional consumer research.

The information is intended to allow consumers to be better informed and purchase better-performing replacement tires. Additionally, ensuring lower rolling resistance and proper tire inflation is expected to contribute to improved fuel economy.

Some 200 million replacement tires are sold in the U.S. each year. While not all tires would be subject to the new final rule, as many as 141 million tires could decrease rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency. Costs to manufacturers under the rule include the cost of setting up the program and the cost of decreasing rolling resistance. Combined, NHTSA estimates these costs at $5.1 million annually.

NHTSA’s draft final rule is available at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.