Document ID: NHTSA-2009-0117-0001
Agency: nhtsa
Document Type: Rule
Title: Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; New Pneumatic and Certain Specialty Tires
Posted Date: 2009-10-30T04:00Z

[Federal Register: October 30, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 209)]
[Proposed Rules]               
[Page 56166-56171]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr30oc09-27]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

49 CFR Part 571

[Docket No. NHTSA-09-0117]
RIN 2127-AK42

 
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards; New Pneumatic and Certain 
Specialty Tires

AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 
Department of Transportation (DOT).

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).

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SUMMARY: This NPRM proposes to amend Federal Motor Vehicle Safety 
Standard (FMVSS) No. 109, New pneumatic and certain specialty tires, to 
change the test pressure for the physical dimensions test for T-type 
tires (temporary use spare tires) from 52 pounds per square inch (psi) 
to 60 psi. A 60-psi test pressure for the physical dimensions test 
would marginally increase the stringency of the test while harmonizing 
FMVSS No. 109 with international and voluntary consensus standards. 
This NPRM responds to a petition for rulemaking from the Tire & Rim 
Association.

DATES: You should submit your comments early enough to ensure that the 
Docket receives them no later than December 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments (identified by the DOT Docket ID 
Number above) by any of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to http://
www.regulations.gov. Follow the online instructions for submitting 
comments.
     Mail: Docket Management Facility: U.S. Department of 
Transportation, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building Ground 
Floor, Room W12-140, Washington, DC 20590-0001
     Hand Delivery or Courier: West Building Ground Floor, Room 
W12-140, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET, 
Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
     Fax: 202-493-2251
    Instructions: For detailed instructions on submitting comments and 
additional information on the rulemaking process, see the Public 
Participation heading of the Supplementary Information section of this 
document. Note that all comments received will be posted without change 
to http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal information 
provided. Please see the Privacy Act heading below.
    Privacy Act: Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all 
comments received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-78), or at http://www.dot.gov/privacy.html.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received, go to http://www.regulations.gov or the street 
address listed above. Follow the online instructions for accessing the 
dockets.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Santiago Navarro or George Soodoo, 
NHTSA Office of Rulemaking, telephone 202-366-2720, fax 202-493-2739. 
For legal issues, you may call Deirdre Fujita, NHTSA Office of Chief 
Counsel, telephone 202-366-2992, fax 202-366-3820. You may send mail to 
these officials at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE., West Building, Washington, DC, 20590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

a. T-Type Spare Tires

    NHTSA regulates ``T-type'' spare tires under FMVSS No. 109, New 
pneumatic and certain specialty tires. A ``T-type'' spare tire refers 
to a type of spare tire that is manufactured to be used as a temporary 
substitute by the consumer for a conventional tire that failed. For T-
type spare tires, FMVSS No. 109 specifies tire dimensions and 
laboratory test requirements for bead unseating resistance, strength, 
endurance, and high speed performance. The standard also defines tire 
load ratings and specifies labeling requirements for the tires.
    NHTSA amended FMVSS No. 109 to permit the manufacture of T-type 
(then known as ``60-psi'') spare tires in 1977, describing them as 
``differ[ing] substantially in specification and construction from 
conventional tires * * * [with] a higher inflation pressure (60 psi), 
different dimensions, and a shorter treadwear life than conventional 
tires.'' \1\ The agency adopted endurance and high-speed performance 
tests, strength requirements, a resistance to bead unseating test, and 
a physical dimensions test, which were appropriate for the temporary 
use tires. Today's NPRM proposes an amendment to the physical 
dimensions test.
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    \1\ 42 FR 12869, 12870 (March 7, 1977).
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b. Physical Dimensions Test

    The purpose of the physical dimensions test is to measure the 
tire's growth under inflated conditions and to determine if it is 
within allowable growth limits. If a tire exceeds allowable growth 
limits in the physical dimensions test, that indicates that there could 
be a safety risk from that tire not matching well with its rim, or not 
fitting well with the vehicle to which it is attached. Either of these 
mis-matches could present safety risks.
    All T-type tires must comply with growth limits as specified by 
S4.2.2.2 of FMVSS No. 109, which states that the tire's actual section 
width and overall width may not exceed the specified section width \2\ 
by more than 7 percent or 10 millimeters (0.4 inches),

[[Page 56167]]

whichever is greater. The ``section width'' of a tire is defined in S3 
of FMVSS No. 109 as ``the linear distance between the exteriors of the 
sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due to labeling, 
decoration, or protective bands.''
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    \2\ S4.2.2.2 states that the measured section width ``shall not 
exceed the section width specified in a submission made by an 
individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4.4.1(a) or in one of the 
publications described in S4.4.1(b) for its size designation and 
type * * *.'' (Emphasis added.) The ``publications described in 
S4.4.1(b)'' refer to the year books published by various tire 
manufacturer associations, such as T&RA. As a practical matter, 
individual tire manufacturers generally submit section width 
information to associations like T&RA for inclusion in the year 
books, rather than submitting such information directly to NHTSA, 
although FMVSS No. 109 allows the latter option.
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    The test procedure for the physical dimensions test is specified in 
S5.1 of FMVSS No. 109. That section states that the tire is mounted on 
the appropriate test rim and inflated to the pressure listed in Table 
II of the standard, which for 60-psi tires is 52 psi. The tire is then 
conditioned at ambient temperature for 24 hours, at which point the 
inflation is checked and adjusted back to 52 psi if necessary, and then 
the tire is measured again. The later measurement is then compared with 
the initial measurement to determine the tire's growth.

c. Test Pressure

    NHTSA requires tire manufacturers to specify both a ``recommended'' 
pressure and a ``maximum permissible inflation pressure.'' The 
recommended inflation pressure is the operational inflation pressure 
needed to support the weight of the vehicle when loaded to its gross 
vehicle weight rating. The maximum permissible inflation pressure, 
which is required to be molded on the tire's sidewall, is the maximum 
pressure beyond which the tire should not be inflated. Usually a 
manufacturer's recommended inflation pressure is lower than the tire's 
maximum pressure labeled on the tire sidewall.
    Since most tires have a recommended inflation pressure that is 
lower than the specified maximum pressure for the tire, the test 
pressure that NHTSA uses to test tires dynamically on a test wheel is 
generally lower than the maximum pressure labeled on the sidewall. 
Further, most tires are operated at some level of under-inflation 
during normal service. To reflect this real-world use, FMVSS No. 109's 
dynamic test procedures generally specify under-inflating a tire when 
testing the tire on the road-wheel. Moreover, dynamic tests are more 
stringent when the tire is tested at an inflation pressure lower than 
the pressure required to support the given test load. Under-inflating a 
tire eventually results in greater heat build-up due to over-deflection 
of a tire's sidewall, which increases the likelihood of tire failure.
    Consistent with this approach, in the 1977 final rule NHTSA 
determined that T-type (60 psi) tires should be tested to all of the 
FMVSS No. 109 tests at a test pressure lower than the tire's maximum 
permissible inflation pressure of 60 psi. For the physical dimensions 
test, the agency determined that a 52-psi value reflects an operational 
inflation pressure appropriate for use in the test. The 52-psi maximum 
permissible inflation pressure adopted in 1977 has not been changed 
since that final rule.

II. Tire & Rim Association Petition

    In a July 13, 2007 petition, the Tire & Rim Association (T&RA) 
requested that the agency make a technical correction \3\ to Table II 
of FMVSS No. 109 regarding T-type tires. Specifically, T&RA requested 
that ``the inflation pressure for the measurement of physical 
dimensions in Table II be changed from 52 psi to 60 psi.'' T&RA stated 
that ``There is only one application inflation pressure for T-type 
tires, 60 psi,'' and that therefore ``this is the appropriate pressure 
for the subject measurement.'' The petitioner also stated that the 
inflation pressure for the bead unseating, tire strength, and tire 
endurance test should remain at 52 psi.
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    \3\ The agency believes that the petition should be addressed by 
this notice and comment rulemaking rather than by way of a technical 
correction.
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III. Agency Proposal

    We concur with the petitioner that rulemaking is warranted to 
change the inflation pressure for the physical dimensions test, 
specified in Table II of the standard, from 52 psi to 60 psi. We are 
not persuaded, however, by the petitioner's reasoning that the pressure 
should be changed because ``there is only one application inflation 
pressure for T-type tires, 60 psi, and consequently we believe that 
this is the appropriate pressure for the subject measurement.'' The 
agency rejected in 1977 the similar view that because these tires do 
not have a ``design'' load level but only a single load level at its 
maximum inflation pressure of 60 psi, the single load level (60 psi) 
constituted the design load level. The petitioner did not provide 
reasons as to why we should change the conclusion we came to in 1977 to 
conclude now that a pressure of 60 psi would better reflect those 
tires' normal service inflation pressure.\4\
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    \4\ Indeed, for the dynamic tests which T-type tires must pass 
under FMVSS No. 109, such as the endurance and high-speed tests, we 
would not concur that raising the 52 psi inflation pressure to 60 
psi would be justified on the basis that ``there is only one 
application inflation pressure [of 60 psi].''
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    Instead, we are proposing to raise the inflation pressure 
specification for the physical dimensions for two other reasons. First, 
raising the inflation pressure makes engineering sense because doing so 
would increase the stringency of the test under conditions that are 
within the realm of real world use. The physical dimensions test is a 
static test where the stringency of the test is not greater at lower 
inflation pressure but at higher inflation pressures. This is because 
the tire expands at higher inflation pressures, which means that it 
would be closer to the growth limit of its section width at a higher 
inflation pressure. If the physical dimensions test pressure for T-type 
tires were increased to 60 psi, then the test would become 
incrementally more stringent than at 52 psi, because the additional 
growth due to the higher inflation pressure would have to be within the 
current limit established in FMVSS No. 109. The physical dimensions 
test contrasts, in this respect, with the dynamic tests performed on 
the road-wheel. It is also conceivable that the tires would be operated 
at a 60 psi (or lower) inflation pressure since that is the inflation 
pressure assigned the tire by the manufacturer.
    Second, raising the test pressure for the physical dimensions test 
for T-type tires from 52 psi to 60 psi is consistent with international 
harmonization. The European regulation which covers T-type tires, ECE 
Regulation 30, specifies that those tires be tested for physical 
dimensions at ``4.2 bar,'' which is 420 kPa or the metric equivalent of 
60 psi.\5\ The Japanese regulation, Automobile Type Approval Handbook 
for Japanese Certification,\6\ also specifies that the inflation 
pressure of the T-type spare tires be 420 kPa when measuring the tire 
physical dimensions. Tire manufacturers, and ultimately, consumers, can 
expect to achieve cost savings through the harmonization of differing 
sets of standards. T-type tires are prepared for the world market. It 
would be more economically efficient for manufacturers to use the same 
test procedures and meet the same performance requirements worldwide. 
This proposal helps to achieve these benefits.
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    \5\ ECE Regulation No. 30, Annex 6, para. 1.2.5. Available at 
http://www.unece.org/trans/main/wp29/wp29regs/r030r3e.doc.
    \6\ Automobile Type Approval Handbook for Japanese 
Certification, Safety Regulations for Road Vehicles, Technical 
Standards For Pneumatic Tyres For Passenger-Use Motor Vehicles, 
Annex 3, 1-2-5.
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    We believe that existing 60-psi T-type spare tires will be able to 
pass the amended physical dimensions test. Tires are designed to hold a 
very stable shape within their possible range of pressure, but 
especially at their operating pressure, which for T-type tires is 60 
psi. Further, as mentioned above, existing European and Japanese 
regulations already specify that T-type tires be tested for physical 
dimensions

[[Page 56168]]

at the metric equivalent of 60 psi, and as we believe that tire 
manufacturers develop similarly designed T-type tires for the U.S., 
European, and Japanese markets, T-type tires would be able to comply 
with the 60-psi requirement. Additionally, we note that the request to 
raise the physical dimensions test pressure came from a tire 
manufacturer trade association, which indicates that meeting the 
amended test is practicable. Thus, we anticipate that the costs of this 
proposed change to FMVSS No. 109, if any, would be minimal.

IV. Other Issues

    This NPRM proposes other changes to FMVSS No. 109. These changes 
are minor and are as follows:
     The petitioner T&RA suggested that Table II's references 
to CT tires should be deleted. NHTSA tentatively agrees to this change 
since CT tires are no longer manufactured for sale in the U.S. Text in 
FMVSS No. 109 relating to CT tires (in S3, S4.2.1(b), S4.3.4 (inflation 
pressures related to CT tires), and in Table I-C) would also be 
removed.
     S4.4.1(b) would be revised to update the list of tire 
industry organizations, to make the list consistent with that 
established in the upgrade of FMVSS No. 139, ``New pneumatic radial 
tires for light vehicles.'' \7\
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    \7\ 68 FR 38116; June 26, 2003, Docket NHTSA-03-15400; response 
to petitions for reconsideration, 71 FR 877, January 6, 2006, Docket 
2005-23439; technical amendments, 72 FR 49207, August 28, 2007, 
Docket 2007-29083.
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     Appendix A would be redesignated ``Appendix'' and moved to 
the end of the standard, following the current Table II of the 
standard. The first three sentences of the appendix would be corrected 
to remove references to any ``tables,'' which are no longer set forth 
in the appendix, and to update the address of NHTSA.

V. Proposed Effective Date

    NHTSA proposes that a final rule on this rulemaking, assuming one 
is issued, would be effective 180 days after publication of the rule in 
the Federal Register. Optional early compliance would be permitted.

VI. Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Executive Order 12866 and DOT Regulatory Policies and Procedures

    This rulemaking document was not reviewed by the Office of 
Management and Budget under E.O. 12866. It is not considered to be 
significant under E.O. 12866 or the Department's Regulatory Policies 
and Procedures (44 FR 11034; Feb. 26, 1979). This NPRM proposes to 
increase slightly the stringency of an existing test applicable to T-
type spare tires for passenger vehicles. The rulemaking would not 
affect current costs of testing T-type tires to FMVSS No. 109's 
performance requirements. The minimal impacts of today's amendment do 
not warrant preparation of a regulatory evaluation.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    In compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601 et 
seq., NHTSA has evaluated the effects of this action on small entities. 
I hereby certify that this proposed rule would not have a significant 
impact on a substantial number of small entities. The NPRM would affect 
tire manufacturers who manufacture T-type tires, none of which, 
according to the agency's knowledge, are small businesses. Even if 
there were a substantial number of small businesses manufacturing T-
type tires, these entities would not be significantly affected by a 
final rule since to the agency's knowledge all currently manufactured 
T-type tires would meet the proposed amendment. The rulemaking would 
not affect current costs of testing T-type tires to FMVSS No. 109's 
performance requirements.

Executive Order 13132 (Preemption)

    NHTSA has examined today's NPRM pursuant to E.O. 13132 (64 FR 
43255; Aug. 10, 1999) and concluded that no additional consultation 
with States, local governments, or their representatives is mandated 
beyond the rulemaking process. The agency has concluded that the 
rulemaking would not have federalism implications because a final rule, 
if issued, would not have ``substantial direct effects on the States, 
on the relationship between the national government and the States, or 
on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various 
levels of government.''
    Further, no consultation is needed to discuss the issue of 
preemption in connection with today's proposed rule. The issue of 
preemption can arise in connection with NHTSA rules in at least two 
ways. First, the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act contains 
an express preemption provision: ``When a motor vehicle safety standard 
is in effect under this chapter, a State or a political subdivision of 
a State may prescribe or continue in effect a standard applicable to 
the same aspect of performance of a motor vehicle or motor vehicle 
equipment only if the standard is identical to the standard prescribed 
under this chapter.'' 49 U.S.C. 30103(b)(1). It is this statutory 
command that unavoidably preempts State legislative and administrative 
law, not today's rulemaking, so consultation would be unnecessary.
    Second, the Supreme Court has recognized the possibility of implied 
preemption: in some instances, State requirements imposed on motor 
vehicle manufacturers, including sanctions imposed by State tort law, 
can stand as an obstacle to the accomplishment and execution of a NHTSA 
safety standard. When such a conflict is discerned, the Supremacy 
Clause of the Constitution makes the State requirements unenforceable. 
See Geier v. American Honda Motor Co., 529 U.S. 861 (2000). However, 
NHTSA has considered the nature and purpose of today's proposed rule 
and does not currently foresee any potential State requirements that 
might conflict with it. Without any conflict, there could not be any 
implied preemption.

National Environmental Policy Act

    NHTSA has analyzed this NPRM for the purposes of the National 
Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The agency has determined that 
implementation of this action would not have any significant impact on 
the quality of the human environment.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    Under the procedures established by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 
1995, a person is not required to respond to a collection of 
information by a Federal agency unless the collection displays a valid 
OMB control number. This NPRM would not establish any new information 
collection requirements.

National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act

    Under the National Technology Transfer and Advancement Act of 1995 
(NTTAA, Pub. L. 104-113), ``all Federal agencies and departments shall 
use technical standards that are developed or adopted by voluntary 
consensus standards bodies, using such technical standards as a means 
to carry out policy objectives or activities determined by the agencies 
and departments.'' This proposal would harmonize FMVSS No. 109 with 
several voluntary consensus standards, including the T&RA 2008 Year 
Book standard,\8\ the ETRTO standard,\9\ and the JATMA standard,\10\

[[Page 56169]]

all of which specify 60 psi or 420 kPa (or 4.2 bar) as the inflation 
pressure for measuring T-type tire dimensions. This proposal would also 
harmonize FMVSS No. 109 with ECE Regulation 30 and Japanese Safety 
Regulations, which currently require the physical dimensions test for 
T-type tires to be conducted at the tire's maximum permissible 
inflation pressure, 4.2 bar (420 kPa or 60 psi).
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    \8\ The Tire & Rim Association, Inc. (T&RA), Year Book, 2008. 
Measuring Procedure for New Tires, at XIII.
    \9\ European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization (ETRTO), 
Standards Manual, 2005. Table 11.2, Temporary Use Spare Tyres--T 
Type, at P.22.
    \10\ The Japan Automobile Tyre Manufacturers Association, Inc. 
(JATMA), Year Book (Tyre Standards), 2008. Section G-5, ``Measuring 
Procedure for Tyres,'' Note 1, at 0-4.
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Civil Justice Reform

    With respect to the review of the promulgation of a new regulation, 
section 3(b) of Executive Order 12988, ``Civil Justice Reform'' (61 FR 
4729; Feb. 7, 1996), requires that Executive agencies make every 
reasonable effort to ensure that the regulation: (1) Clearly specifies 
the preemptive effect; (2) clearly specifies the effect on existing 
Federal law or regulation; (3) provides a clear legal standard for 
affected conduct, while promoting simplification and burden reduction; 
(4) clearly specifies the retroactive effect, if any; (5) adequately 
defines key terms; and (6) addresses other important issues affecting 
clarity and general draftsmanship under any guidelines issued by the 
Attorney General. This document is consistent with that requirement.
    Pursuant to this Order, NHTSA notes as follows. The issue of 
preemption is discussed above in connection with E.O. 13132. NHTSA 
notes further that there is no requirement that individuals submit a 
petition for reconsideration or pursue other administrative proceeding 
before they may file suit in court.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 requires agencies to 
prepare a written assessment of the costs, benefits, and other effects 
of proposed or final rules that include a Federal mandate likely to 
result in the expenditure by State, local, or tribal governments, in 
the aggregate, or by the private sector, of more than $100 million 
annually (adjusted for inflation with base year of 1995). This NPRM 
would not result in expenditures by State, local, or tribal 
governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, in excess of 
$100 million annually.

Executive Order 13045

    E.O. 13045 (62 FR 19885; Apr. 23, 1997) applies to any rule that: 
(1) Is determined to be ``economically significant'' as defined under 
E.O. 12866, and (2) concerns an environmental, health, or safety risk 
that NHTSA has reason to believe may have a disproportionate effect on 
children. This rulemaking is not subject to E.O. 13045 because it is 
not economically significant as defined in E.O. 12866.

Executive Order 13211

    E.O. 13211 (66 FR 28355; May 18, 2001) applies to any rulemaking 
that: (1) Is determined to be economically significant as defined under 
E.O. 12866, and is likely to have a significantly adverse effect on the 
supply of, distribution of, or use of energy, or (2) that is designated 
by the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory 
Affairs as a significant energy action. This rulemaking is not subject 
to E.O. 13211.

Plain Language

    E.O. 12866 and the President's memorandum of June 1, 1998, require 
each agency to write all rules in plain language. Application of the 
principles of plain language includes consideration of the following 
questions:
     Have we organized the material to suit the public's needs?
     Are the requirements in the rule clearly stated?
     Does the rule contain technical language or jargon that 
isn't clear?
     Would a different format (grouping and order of sections, 
use of headings, paragraphing) make the rule easier to understand?
     Would more (but shorter) sections be better?
     Could we improve clarity by adding tables, lists, or 
diagrams?
     What else could we do to make the rule easier to 
understand?
    If you have any responses to these questions, please include them 
in your comments on this proposal.

Regulation Identifier Number (RIN)

    The Department of Transportation assigns a regulation identifier 
number (RIN) to each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of 
Federal Regulations. The Regulatory Information Service Center 
publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of each year. You may 
use the RIN contained in the heading at the beginning of this document 
to find this action in the Unified Agenda.

Privacy Act

    Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments 
received into any of our dockets by the name of the individual 
submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf 
of an association, business, labor union, etc.). You may review DOT's 
complete Privacy Act Statement in the Federal Register published on 
April 11, 2000 (65 FR 19477-19478).

VII. Public Participation

How Do I Prepare and Submit Comments?

    Your comments must be written and in English. To ensure that your 
comments are correctly filed in the Docket, please include the docket 
number of this document in your comments. Your comments must not be 
more than 15 pages long.\11\ We established this limit to encourage you 
to write your primary comments in a concise fashion. However, you may 
attach necessary additional documents to your comments. There is no 
limit on the length of the attachments. Please submit your comments by 
a method set forth in the ADDRESSES section at the beginning of this 
document.
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    \11\ See 49 CFR 553.21.
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    Please also note that pursuant to the Data Quality Act, in order 
for substantive data to be relied upon and used by the agency, it must 
meet the information quality standards set forth in the OMB and DOT 
Data Quality Act guidelines. Accordingly, we encourage you to consult 
the guidelines in preparing your comments. OMB's guidelines may be 
accessed at http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/fedreg/reproducible.html.

How Do I Submit Confidential Business Information?

    If you wish to submit any information under a claim of 
confidentiality, you should submit three copies of your complete 
submission, including the information you claim to be confidential 
business information, to the Chief Counsel, NHTSA, at the address given 
above under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. When you send a comment 
containing information claimed to be confidential business information, 
you should include a cover letter setting forth the information 
specified in our confidential business information regulation. See 49 
CFR part 512.
    In addition, you should submit a copy, from which you have deleted 
the claimed confidential business information, to the Docket by one of 
the methods set forth above.

Will the Agency Consider Late Comments?

    We will consider all comments received before the close of business 
on the comment closing date indicated above under DATES. To the extent 
possible, we will also consider comments received after that date. 
Therefore, if interested persons believe that any new information the 
agency places in the docket affects their

[[Page 56170]]

comments, they may submit comments after the closing date concerning 
how the agency should consider that information for the final rule.
    If a comment is received too late for us to consider in developing 
a final rule (assuming that one is issued), we will consider that 
comment as an informal suggestion for future rulemaking action.

How Can I Read the Comments Submitted By Other People?

    You may read the materials placed in the docket for this document 
(e.g., the comments submitted in response to this document by other 
interested persons) at any time by going to http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the online instructions for accessing the dockets. You may also 
read the materials at the DOT Docket at the street address listed 
above.

List of Subjects in 49 CFR Part 571

    Imports, Motor vehicle safety, Motor vehicles, Rubber and rubber 
products, and Tires.

    In consideration of the foregoing, we propose to amend 49 CFR part 
571 to read as follows:

PART 571--FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

    1. The authority citation for Part 571 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority:  49 U.S.C. 322, 20111, 30115, 30166 and 30177; 
delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

    2. Sec.  571.109 is amended by--
    A. Removing the definition of CT in S3;
    B. Revising S4.2.1(b), the introductory text of S4.3.4, and 
S4.4.1(b);
    C. Redesignating Appendix A as ``Appendix to Sec.  571.109,'' 
moving the appendix to the end of Sec.  571.109 (following the tables 
to Sec.  571.109), and revising the appendix; and
    D. Revising Table I-C and Table II.
    The revised and redesignated text, tables, and appendix read as 
follows:

Sec.  571.109  Standard No. 109; New pneumatic and certain specialty 
tires.

* * * * *
    S4.2.1
* * * * *
    (b) Its maximum permissible inflation pressure shall be either 32, 
36, 40, or 60 psi, or 240, 280, 300, 340, or 350 kPa.
* * * * *
    S4.3.4 If the maximum inflation pressure of a tire is 240, 280, 
300, 340, or 350 kPa, then:
* * * * *
    S4.4.1
* * * * *
    (b) Contained in publications, current at the date of manufacture 
of the tire or any later date, of at least one of the following 
organizations:

Tire and Rim Association
The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization
Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers' Association, Inc.
Tyre and Rim Association of Australia
Associacao Latino Americana de Pneus e Aros (Brazil)
South African Bureau of Standards
* * * * *

                                                             Table 1-C--For Radial Ply Tires
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Maximum permissible inflation
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Size designation                                        PSI                                         kPa
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      32         36         40        240        280        300        340        350
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Below 160 mm:
    (in-lbs)....................................................      1,950      2,925      3,900      1,950      3,900      1,950      3,900      1,950
    (joules)....................................................        220        330        441        220        441        220        441        220
 160 mm or above:
    (in-lbs)....................................................      2,600      3,900      5,200      2,600      5,200      2,600      5,200      2,600
    (joules)....................................................        294        441        588        294        588        294        588        294
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

* * * * *

                                                           Table II--Test Inflation Pressures
                                       [Maximum permissible inflation pressure to be used for the following test]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                           psi                                              kPa
                      Test type                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                           32         36         40         60        240        280        300        340        350
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Physical dimensions..................................         24         28         32         60        180        220        180        220        180
Bead unseating, tire strength, and tire endurance....         24         28         32         52        180        220        180        220        180
High speed performance...............................         30         34         38         58        220        260        220        260        220
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* * * * *

Appendix to Sec.  571.109

    Persons requesting the addition of new tire sizes not included 
in S4.4.1 (b) organizations may, upon approval, submit five (5) 
copies of information and data supporting the request to the Vehicle 
Dynamics Division, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, National 
Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1200 New Jersey Ave SE., 
Washington, DC 20590.
    The information should contain the following:
    1. The tire size designation, and a statement either that the 
tire is an adition to a category of tires listed in the tables or 
that it is in a new category for which a table has not been 
developed.
    2. The tire dimensions, including aspect ratio, size factor, 
section width, overall width, and test rim size.
    3. The load-inflation schedule of the tire.
    4. A statement as to whether the tire size designation and load 
inflation schedule has been coordinated with the Tire and Rim 
Association, the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization, the 
Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers' Association, Inc., the Tyre and 
Rim Association of Australia, the Associacao Latino Americana de 
Pneus e Aros (Brazil), or the South African Bureau of Standards.

[[Page 56171]]

    5. Copies of test data sheets showing test conditions, results 
and conclusions obtained for individual tests specified in Sec.  
571.109.
    6. Justification for the additional tire sizes.

    Issued: October 22, 2009.
Stephen R. Kratzke,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.

[FR Doc. E9-26135 Filed 10-29-09; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 4910-59-P