MENU
SEARCHWASHINGTON - The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its final rule that establishes test procedures for consumer tire rolling resistance, safety, and durability.
WASHINGTON- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has released its final rule that establishes test procedures for consumer tire rolling resistance, safety, and durability, reported Modern Tire Dealer.
There are many details that still need to be worked out, however.
"When this program is fully established, this information will be provided to consumers at the point of sale and online," say agency officials.
The rule, as well as its associated tire consumer education program, will require tiremakers to rank their products for fuel efficiency, safety and durability "based on test procedures specified," say NHTSA officials.
"Comparing these three different ratings for different replacement tires will enable consumers to see how different replacement tires can affect the fuel economy they are getting from their vehicles. This will enable consumers to see the tradeoffs they may be facing between fuel efficiency, safety (i.e. wet traction) and durability (i.e. treadwear life), and how the balance of these factors may differ from tire to tire. Providing information regarding all three types of performance will help to ensure that no single aspect is given disproportionate attention."
[PAGEBREAK]
In developing the rule, the agency conducted tire testing research "to determine which test procedure would best standardize a fuel efficiency rating and provide accurate discrimination among replacement tires.
"The agency is specifying a test procedure by which NHTSA will evaluate the accuracy of the rolling resistance rating assigned by the tire manufacturer. For the safety and durability ratings, this final rule specifies that the agency will use previously established test procedures for wet traction and treadwear to evaluate the accuracy of the safety and durability ratings assigned by the tire manufacturer."
NHTSA says it is not specifying the content or requirements of the consumer education portion of the program at this time.
"We are continuing to work to improve the content and format of the consumer information so that consumers will, in fact, be adequately informed. NHTSA will be conducting additional consumer testing to explore how consumers will best comprehend information in each of the three categories discussed above."
After additional testing, NHTSA plans to publish a new proposal for the consumer education element of the program.
FLASH Weather AI has launched a first-of-its-kind hail prediction model capable of forecasting hail size and arrival time at 1-kilometer resolution up to 55 minutes ahead, giving fleets and insurers critical time to prepare for severe storms.
Read More →
As litigation risk rises, vehicles are increasingly targeted. This Coca-Cola bottler shares how it’s reducing exposure through driver training, technology, and a proactive risk management approach.
Read More →
Drivers, supervisors, and data often speak different safety “languages.” Getting on the same page will drive better results.
Read More →
From identity management to third-party certifications, the right technology partner should make security easier to manage. Here are the three building blocks that fleet managers need to stay in control as connected systems scale.
Read More →
Distracted driving remains one of the most persistent risks in fleet operations. New approaches focus on removing mobile device use entirely while adding real-time safety support.
Read More →
As distraction risks evolve, fleets are turning to smarter, more connected technologies to better understand what’s happening behind the wheel. Part 2 explores how these tools are helping identify risky behaviors and improve visibility across operations.
Read More →
What fleets capture to improve safety can also expose them in litigation, forcing leaders to rethink how data is managed, stored, and shared.
Read More →
Distracted driving is often measured by what we can see—phones in hand, eyes off the road. But what about the distractions we can’t? A recent incident raises a bigger question about awareness, attention, and why subtle risks so often go unnoticed.
Read More →
While serious crashes are declining, a rise in minor incidents and ongoing risk hotspots underscore the need for continued fleet safety investment.
Read More →
Fleets have more driver data than ever, so why isn't behavior changing? Training requires more than reports and coaching — it requires real-world practice.
Read More →
