Tire Safety Information

This document responds to petitions for reconsideration requesting changes to the final rule published on November 18, 2002 (November 2002 final rule). That final rule adopted new and revised tire safety information provisions in response to the Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability, and Documentation (TREAD) Act of 2000. Specifically, the November 2002 final rule established a new Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard requiring improved labeling of tires to assist consumers in identifying tires that may be the subject of a safety recall. Further, the rule required other consumer information to increase public awareness of the importance and methods of observing motor vehicle tire load limits and maintaining proper tire inflation levels for the safe operation of a motor vehicle. The November 2002 final rule applied to all new and retreaded tires for use on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less and to all vehicles with a GVWR of 10,000 pounds or less, except for motorcycles and low speed vehicles. After considering the petitions and other available information, the agency is modifying certain aspects of its November 2002 final rule.