Source: https://regulations.justia.com/regulations/fedreg/2017/10/12/2017-22110.html
Timestamp: 2020-04-04 18:18:20
Document Index: 171202124

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 573', 'art 556', 'art 573', 'art 556', 'art 573', 'art\n556']

Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 47599-47601 [2017-22110] :: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration :: Department Of Transportation :: Regulation Tracker :: Justia
Justia Regulation Tracker Department Of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 47599-47601 [2017-22110]
Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance, 47599-47601 [2017-22110]
Download as PDF 47599 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Notices CFR section/subject Respondent universe Total annual responses Average time per response —Notification to engineer that no conductor is on train. —Notification of denial of certification by individuals holding multiple certifications. 242.215—RR Oversight Responsibility —RR review and analysis of administration of certification program. —Report of findings by RR to FRA ........ 242.301—Determinations—Territorial qualification and joint operations. —Notification by persons who do not meet territorial qualification. 242.401—Notification to candidate of information that forms basis for denying certification and candidate response. —Written notification of denial of certification. 242.403/405—Criteria for revoking certification; periods of ineligibility —Review of compliance conduct ........... —Written determination that the most recent incident has occurred. 242.407—Process for Revoking Certification —Revocation for violations of section 242.115(e). —Immediate suspension of certificate .... 704 railroads .............. 5 notifications ............. 10 minutes ................. 1 hour. 704 railroads .............. 10 notices .................. 10 minutes ................. 2 hours. 704 railroads .............. 44 reviews/analyses .. 40 hours ..................... 1,760 hours. 704 railroads .............. 320 railroads .............. 36 reports ................... 1,080 deter ................. 4 hours ....................... 15 minutes ................. 144 hours. 270 hours. 320 railroads .............. 500 notices ................ 10 minutes ................. 83 hours. 704 railroads .............. 40 notices + 40 responses. 60 minutes/60 minutes 80 hours. 704 railroads .............. 80 notices .................. 60 minutes ................. 80 hours. 704 railroads .............. 704 railroads .............. 950 reviews ................ 950 written determination. 10 minutes ................. 60 minutes ................. 158 hours. 950 hours. 704 railroads .............. 950 revoked certificates. 950 suspend certificates. 950 decisions ............. 8 hours ....................... 7,600 hours. 1 hour ......................... 950 hours. 15 minutes ................. 238 hours. 950 records ................ 950 decisions ............. 950 decisions + 950 proofs. 425 waivers ................ 15 revoked certifications. 30 minutes ................. 2 hours ....................... 10 minutes + 5 minutes. 10 minutes ................. 10 minutes ................. 475 hours. 1,900 hours. 238 hours. 100 updated Records 1 hour ......................... 100 hours. —Determinations based on RR hearing record. —Hearing record ..................................... —Written decisions by RR official .......... —Service of written decision on employee by RR + RR service proof. —Written waiver of right to hearing ........ —Revocation of certification based on information that another railroad has done so. —Placing relevant information in record prior to suspending certification/convening hearing. Total Estimated Responses: 268,799. Total Estimated Total Annual Burden: 856,406 hours. Type of Request: Extension of a Currently Approved Collection. Under 44 U.S.C. 3507(a) and 5 CFR 1320.5(b) and 1320.8(b)(3)(vi), FRA informs all interested parties that it may not conduct or sponsor, and a respondent is not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES Authority: 44 U.S.C. 3501–3520. [FR Doc. 2017–22044 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–06–P 22:35 Oct 11, 2017 704 railroads .............. 704 railroads .............. 704 railroads .............. 704 railroads .............. 54,000 Conductors .... 704 railroads .............. 704 railroads .............. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2016–0137; Notice 2] Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Grant of petition. AGENCY: Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, a business division of Arconic, Inc., formerly known as Alcoa, Inc. (Arconic), has determined that certain Alcoa aluminum wheels do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/ Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load SUMMARY: Brett Jortland, Acting Deputy Chief Counsel. VerDate Sep<11>2014 704 railroads .............. Jkt 244001 PO 00000 Frm 00154 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Total annual burden hours 71 hours. 3 hours. Carrying Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). Alcoa, Inc. filed a noncompliance information report dated November 21, 2016. Arconic then petitioned NHTSA on December 5, 2016, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. ADDRESSES: For further information on this decision please contact Kerrin Bressant, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366–1110. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Overview: Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products (Arconic), has determined that certain Alcoa aluminum wheels do not fully comply with paragraph S5.2(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor E:\FR\FM\12OCN1.SGM 12OCN1 47600 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Notices Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). Alcoa, Inc. filed a noncompliance information report dated November 21, 2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. Arconic then petitioned NHTSA on December 5, 2016, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR part 556, for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. The notice of receipt of Arconic’s petition was published, with a 30-day public comment period, on June 5, 2017 in the Federal Register (82 FR 25908). No comments were received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ‘‘NHTSA–2016– 0137.’’ II. Equipment Involved: Approximately 1,975 Alcoa model 88367X aluminum wheels, size 22.5″ Dia. × 8.25″, produced for the heavy duty truck wheel market, manufactured between August 1, 2016, and November 7, 2016, are potentially involved. III. Noncompliance: Arconic explains that the noncompliance is that the wheel diameter was incorrectly marked on the subject wheels as 24.5″ × 8.25″, when it should have been marked as 22.5″ × 8.25″. This marking error overstates the wheel diameter by 2″. Therefore, the subject wheels do not meet the requirements of paragraph S5.2(b) of FMVSS No. 120. IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S5.2(b) of FMVSS No. 120 states in pertinent part: asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES S5.2 Rim marking. Each rim or, at the option of the manufacturer in the case of a single-piece wheel, wheel disc shall be marked with the information listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this paragraph, in lettering not less than 3 millimeters high, impressed to a depth or, at the option of the manufacturer, embossed to a height of not less than 0.125 millimeters . . . (b) The rim size designation, and in case of multipiece rims, the rim type designation. For example: 20 × 5.50, or 20 × 5.5. V. Summary of Arconic’s Petition: Arconic described the subject noncompliance and stated its belief that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. In support of its petition, Arconic submitted the following reasoning: 1. If the mounting technician relied solely on the incorrectly stated 24.5″ diameter stamped on the rim and tried to mount a 24.5″ × 8.25″ tire, the tire VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:35 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 will not inflate. Therefore, it would be obvious to the mounting technician that there is a tire/rim mismatch, because the air will immediately escape during inflation and no tire/rim seal will ever be achieved. Heavy-duty truck rim diameter sizes in the U.S. market are in increments 19.5″, 22.5″ and 24.5″, so any tire diameter other than 22.5″ will simply not mount and/or inflate on the mismarked 24.5″ rim. 2. All product literature that accompanies the mislabeled 24.5″ × 8.25″ aluminum wheels correctly identifies the wheel as having a 22.5″ diameter. The part number stamped on the wheels correctly associates the wheels in catalogs (hard copy and electronic) as having a 22.5″ diameter. The vast majority of the affected wheels were sold for assembly on new heavyduty semi-tractors and it is believed the certification label, tire pressure placard and all other literature accompanying the vehicle correctly states the required wheel diameter as 22.5″. 3. The vast majority of the affected wheels were sold for assembly on new heavy-duty semi-tractors, which means the selection of tires and wheels during assembly does not require reliance on the actual size markings on the wheel. Rather, this selection is based upon part number matching during the tire/wheel subassembly process, and the part number descriptions correctly reflect the actual wheel size of 22.5″ × 8.25″. Only one manufacturer, a trailer manufacturer, actually noticed the mismarking of the rim diameter. The remaining manufacturers that undertook tire and rim assembly were unaffected by rim mismarking. 4. If a vehicle owner or operator must replace one of the affected rims they would most likely go to a facility that is familiar with tire/wheel replacements for heavy-duty trucks. Pursuant to 29 CFR 1910.177(c) (Employee Training), federal regulations require that only trained technicians are permitted to mount tires and wheels on heavy-duty vehicles and it should be obvious to the technician when a wheel marking is overstated by 2″. 5. For rims that have an obvious incorrect size marking stamped into the wheel, the technician will have to rely on another source for the correct rim size including, when applicable, the certification label, tire pressure placard or any other literature to determine the correct wheel and tire size for the replacement. 6. Because a tire/rim seal cannot be achieved with an overstated 2″ rim diameter, there is no risk to the technician during attempted tire mounting operations. PO 00000 Frm 00155 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 7. All other roll stamp rim marking information on the subject rims required by S5.2 of FMVSS No. 120 is correct. The rim is marked with the correct rim width, manufacturer, date of manufacture, and DOT. 8. The agency has previously found to be inconsequential a noncompliance with the rim marking requirements of FMVSS No. 110 Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less (citing Docket No. NHTSA–1999–6685, July 5, 2000). 9. Arconic is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with this roll stamp rim marking issue. Arconic states that they have corrected the roll stamp for all future production. Arconic concluded by expressing the belief that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition to be exempted from providing notification of the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120, should be granted. NHTSA’S Decision NHTSA’s Analysis: The intent of FMVSS No. 120 is to ensure that vehicles are equipped with tires of adequate size and load rating and with rims of appropriate size and type designation to handle vehicle loads and prevent overloading. As discussed by Arconic, in the event a technician actually used the incorrect rim diameter marking as a size determinant for the tire size to mount on the rim, the technician would inevitably determine that the tire diameter is much larger than the actual rim diameter. In this case, the tire could never be properly mounted to the rim and could not be inflated to hold any air pressure. Arconic also mentioned that product literature provided with the rims, and correct part number stamped on the rims, can be used to correctly identify the rim diameter. NHTSA agrees that during the mounting process, if a technician were to encounter the mismatch issue as discussed above, the part number labeled on the rim and the product literature could be referenced to aid in the determination of the correct rim size. Consequently, the subject noncompliance should not cause any unsafe conditions associated with the incorrect rim diameter size stamped on the wheel. Therefore, NHTSA agrees with Arconic that the incorrect rim diameter size listed on the wheel does E:\FR\FM\12OCN1.SGM 12OCN1 Federal Register / Vol. 82, No. 196 / Thursday, October 12, 2017 / Notices not have any adverse safety implications. NHTSA’S Decision: In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA finds that Arconic has met its burden of persuasion that the subject FMVSS No. 120 noncompliance on the affected wheels is inconsequential to motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, Arconic’s petition is hereby granted and Arconic is consequently exempted from the obligation of providing notification of, and a free remedy for, that noncompliance under 49 U.S.C. 30118 and 30120. NHTSA notes that the statutory provisions (49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h)) that permit manufacturers to file petitions for a determination of inconsequentiality allow NHTSA to exempt manufacturers only from the duties found in sections 30118 and 30120, respectively, to notify owners, purchasers, and dealers of a defect or noncompliance and to remedy the defect or noncompliance. Therefore, this decision only applies to the subject wheels that Arconic no longer controlled at the time it determined that the noncompliance existed. However, the granting of this petition does not relieve equipment distributors and dealers of the prohibitions on the sale, offer for sale, or introduction or delivery for introduction into interstate commerce of the noncompliant wheels under their control after Arconic notified them that the subject noncompliance existed. Authority: 49 U.S.C. 30118, 30120: delegations of authority at 49 CFR 1.95 and 501.8. Jeffrey M. Giuseppe, Director, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance. [FR Doc. 2017–22110 Filed 10–11–17; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–59–P DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION National Highway Traffic Safety Administration [Docket No. NHTSA–2017–0016; Notice 2] Mack Trucks, Inc., Grant of Petition for Decision of Inconsequential Noncompliance National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Department of Transportation (DOT). ACTION: Grant of petition. asabaliauskas on DSKBBXCHB2PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: Mack Trucks, Inc. (MTI), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017 Mack heavy duty trucks do not fully comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 22:35 Oct 11, 2017 Jkt 244001 120, Tire selection and rims and motor home/recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). MTI filed a noncompliance information report dated February 9, 2017. MTI also petitioned NHTSA on February 28, 2017, and revised its petition on April 29, 2017, for a decision that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. ADDRESSES: For further information on this decision contact Kerrin Bressant, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366–1110, facsimile (202) 366– 5930. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Overview: Mack Trucks, Inc. (MTI), has determined that certain model year (MY) 2017 Mack heavy duty trucks do not fully comply with paragraph S5.2(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire selection and rims and motor home/ recreation vehicle trailer load carrying capacity information for motor vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds). MTI filed a noncompliance report dated February 9, 2017, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance Responsibility and Reports. MTI also petitioned NHTSA on February 28, 2017, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR part 556, and revised its petition on April 29, 2017, to obtain an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of 49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. Notice of receipt of the petition was published with a 30-day public comment period, on July 20, 2017, in the Federal Register (82 FR 33546). No comments were received. To view the petition and all supporting documents log onto the Federal Docket Management System (FDMS) Web site at: https://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online search instructions to locate docket number ‘‘NHTSA–2017– 0016.’’ II. Vehicles Involved: Approximately 226 MY 2017 Mack Pinnacle, Granite, TerraPro and LR heavy duty trucks, manufactured between August 15, 2016, and December 12, 2016, are potentially involved. III. Noncompliance: MTI explains that the noncompliance is that the wheels on the subject vehicles incorrectly identify the rim size as 24.5″ × 8.25″ instead of 22.5″ × 8.25″, and therefore do not meet the requirements of paragraph S5.2(b) of PO 00000 Frm 00156 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 47601 FMVSS No. 120. Specifically, the marking error overstates the wheel diameter by 2″. IV. Rule Text: paragraph S5.2 of FMVSS No. 120 states: S5.2 Rim marking. Each rim or, at the option of the manufacturer in the case of a single-piece wheel, wheel disc shall be marked with the information listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this paragraph, in lettering not less than 3 millimeters high, impressed to a depth or, at the option of the manufacturer, embossed to a height of not less than 0.125 millimeters . . . (b) The rim size designation, and in case of multipiece rims, the rim type designation. For example: 20 × 5.50, or 20 × 5.5. V. Summary of MTI’s Petition: MTI described the subject noncompliance and stated its belief that the noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety. In support of its petition, MTI referenced a letter to NHTSA, dated December 5, 2016, from Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products (Arconic), which is the rim manufacturer, and provided the following reasoning: 1. A 24.5″ inch tire will not seat on the rim; therefore, if someone tries to mount a 24.5″ tire to the rim, it will not hold air and therefore cannot be inflated. 2. When tires are replaced, the technician will select the tire based on the size and rating of the tire being replaced. When Mack manufactured the vehicle, the tire used was a 22.5″ (i.e., the correct size for the rim). Therefore, the tires installed by Mack have the correct size on the sidewall of the tire. 3. Mack is required to list the tires size and inflation pressures on the certification label as required by 49 CFR 567. The information printed on the label is the correct size, a 22.5″ inch tire and reflects the tires that were installed when manufactured. The certification label is located inside the driver’s door and can be easily accessed by the tire installer. MTI concluded by expressing the belief that the subject noncompliance is inconsequential as it relates to motor vehicle safety, and that its petition to be exempted from providing notification of the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118, and a remedy for the noncompliance, as required by 49 U.S.C. 30120, should be granted. To view MTI’s petition analyses in its entirety you can visit https:// www.regulations.gov by following the online instructions for accessing the dockets and by using the docket ID number for this petition shown in the heading of this notice. E:\FR\FM\12OCN1.SGM 12OCN1
[Pages 47599-47601]
[FR Doc No: 2017-22110]
[Docket No. NHTSA-2016-0137; Notice 2]
Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, Grant of Petition for
SUMMARY: Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products, a business division
of Arconic, Inc., formerly known as Alcoa, Inc. (Arconic), has
determined that certain Alcoa aluminum wheels do not fully comply with
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 120, Tire Selection
and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle Trailer Load Carrying
Capacity Information for Motor Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536
kilograms (10,000 pounds). Alcoa, Inc. filed a noncompliance
information report dated November 21, 2016. Arconic then petitioned
NHTSA on December 5, 2016, for a decision that the subject
ADDRESSES: For further information on this decision please contact
Kerrin Bressant, Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), telephone (202) 366-
I. Overview: Arconic Wheel and Transportation Products (Arconic),
has determined that certain Alcoa aluminum wheels do not fully comply
with paragraph S5.2(b) of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS)
No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims and Motor Home/Recreation Vehicle
Trailer Load Carrying Capacity Information for Motor
[[Page 47600]]
Vehicles with a GVWR of more than 4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds).
Alcoa, Inc. filed a noncompliance information report dated November 21,
2016, pursuant to 49 CFR part 573, Defect and Noncompliance
Responsibility and Reports. Arconic then petitioned NHTSA on December
5, 2016, pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118(d) and 30120(h) and 49 CFR part
556, for an exemption from the notification and remedy requirements of
49 U.S.C. Chapter 301 on the basis that this noncompliance is
The notice of receipt of Arconic's petition was published, with a
30-day public comment period, on June 5, 2017 in the Federal Register
(82 FR 25908). No comments were received. To view the petition and all
(FDMS) Web site at: http://www.regulations.gov/. Then follow the online
search instructions to locate docket number ``NHTSA-2016-0137.''
II. Equipment Involved: Approximately 1,975 Alcoa model 88367X
aluminum wheels, size 22.5'' Dia. x 8.25'', produced for the heavy duty
truck wheel market, manufactured between August 1, 2016, and November
7, 2016, are potentially involved.
III. Noncompliance: Arconic explains that the noncompliance is that
the wheel diameter was incorrectly marked on the subject wheels as
24.5'' x 8.25'', when it should have been marked as 22.5'' x 8.25''.
This marking error overstates the wheel diameter by 2''. Therefore, the
subject wheels do not meet the requirements of paragraph S5.2(b) of
FMVSS No. 120.
IV. Rule Text: Paragraph S5.2(b) of FMVSS No. 120 states in
S5.2 Rim marking. Each rim or, at the option of the manufacturer
in the case of a single-piece wheel, wheel disc shall be marked with
the information listed in paragraphs (a) through (e) of this
paragraph, in lettering not less than 3 millimeters high, impressed
to a depth or, at the option of the manufacturer, embossed to a
height of not less than 0.125 millimeters . . .
(b) The rim size designation, and in case of multipiece rims,
the rim type designation. For example: 20 x 5.50, or 20 x 5.5.
V. Summary of Arconic's Petition: Arconic described the subject
In support of its petition, Arconic submitted the following
1. If the mounting technician relied solely on the incorrectly
stated 24.5'' diameter stamped on the rim and tried to mount a 24.5'' x
8.25'' tire, the tire will not inflate. Therefore, it would be obvious
to the mounting technician that there is a tire/rim mismatch, because
the air will immediately escape during inflation and no tire/rim seal
will ever be achieved. Heavy-duty truck rim diameter sizes in the U.S.
market are in increments 19.5'', 22.5'' and 24.5'', so any tire
diameter other than 22.5'' will simply not mount and/or inflate on the
mismarked 24.5'' rim.
2. All product literature that accompanies the mislabeled 24.5'' x
8.25'' aluminum wheels correctly identifies the wheel as having a
22.5'' diameter. The part number stamped on the wheels correctly
associates the wheels in catalogs (hard copy and electronic) as having
a 22.5'' diameter. The vast majority of the affected wheels were sold
for assembly on new heavy-duty semi-tractors and it is believed the
certification label, tire pressure placard and all other literature
accompanying the vehicle correctly states the required wheel diameter
as 22.5''.
3. The vast majority of the affected wheels were sold for assembly
on new heavy-duty semi-tractors, which means the selection of tires and
wheels during assembly does not require reliance on the actual size
markings on the wheel. Rather, this selection is based upon part number
matching during the tire/wheel subassembly process, and the part number
descriptions correctly reflect the actual wheel size of 22.5'' x
8.25''. Only one manufacturer, a trailer manufacturer, actually noticed
the mismarking of the rim diameter. The remaining manufacturers that
undertook tire and rim assembly were unaffected by rim mismarking.
4. If a vehicle owner or operator must replace one of the affected
rims they would most likely go to a facility that is familiar with
tire/wheel replacements for heavy-duty trucks. Pursuant to 29 CFR
1910.177(c) (Employee Training), federal regulations require that only
trained technicians are permitted to mount tires and wheels on heavy-
duty vehicles and it should be obvious to the technician when a wheel
marking is overstated by 2''.
5. For rims that have an obvious incorrect size marking stamped
into the wheel, the technician will have to rely on another source for
the correct rim size including, when applicable, the certification
label, tire pressure placard or any other literature to determine the
correct wheel and tire size for the replacement.
6. Because a tire/rim seal cannot be achieved with an overstated
2'' rim diameter, there is no risk to the technician during attempted
tire mounting operations.
7. All other roll stamp rim marking information on the subject rims
required by S5.2 of FMVSS No. 120 is correct. The rim is marked with
the correct rim width, manufacturer, date of manufacture, and DOT.
8. The agency has previously found to be inconsequential a
noncompliance with the rim marking requirements of FMVSS No. 110 Tire
kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less (citing Docket No. NHTSA-1999-6685,
July 5, 2000).
9. Arconic is not aware of any crashes or injuries associated with
this roll stamp rim marking issue.
Arconic states that they have corrected the roll stamp for all
Arconic concluded by expressing the belief that the subject
NHTSA's Analysis: The intent of FMVSS No. 120 is to ensure that
vehicles are equipped with tires of adequate size and load rating and
with rims of appropriate size and type designation to handle vehicle
loads and prevent overloading.
As discussed by Arconic, in the event a technician actually used
the incorrect rim diameter marking as a size determinant for the tire
size to mount on the rim, the technician would inevitably determine
that the tire diameter is much larger than the actual rim diameter. In
this case, the tire could never be properly mounted to the rim and
could not be inflated to hold any air pressure.
Arconic also mentioned that product literature provided with the
rims, and correct part number stamped on the rims, can be used to
correctly identify the rim diameter. NHTSA agrees that during the
mounting process, if a technician were to encounter the mismatch issue
as discussed above, the part number labeled on the rim and the product
literature could be referenced to aid in the determination of the
correct rim size.
Consequently, the subject noncompliance should not cause any unsafe
conditions associated with the incorrect rim diameter size stamped on
the wheel. Therefore, NHTSA agrees with Arconic that the incorrect rim
diameter size listed on the wheel does
[[Page 47601]]
not have any adverse safety implications.
NHTSA'S Decision: In consideration of the foregoing, NHTSA finds
that Arconic has met its burden of persuasion that the subject FMVSS
No. 120 noncompliance on the affected wheels is inconsequential to
motor vehicle safety. Accordingly, Arconic's petition is hereby granted
and Arconic is consequently exempted from the obligation of providing
notification of, and a free remedy for, that noncompliance under 49
U.S.C. 30118 and 30120.
only applies to the subject wheels that Arconic no longer controlled at
granting of this petition does not relieve equipment distributors and
the noncompliant wheels under their control after Arconic notified them
[FR Doc. 2017-22110 Filed 10-11-17; 8:45 am]