Consensus needed on tire aging

Is a properly cared-for tire any more unsafe if it is 10 years old than if it is six years old? What about a well-cared for tire that’s three years old vs. one that is newly made?

That’s really the issue in the latest effort by a state legislature, this time in Maryland, to force tire manufacturers and distributors to affix a label on each tire they sell, giving the month and year of manufacture.

What makes this type of proposed legislation so vexing is that there is no agreement within the tire and auto industries on when a tire should be pulled from use. Some auto companies say six years, some tire companies say 10 years, and still others make no tire-age recommendations at all.

It’s no wonder legislators periodically come up with proposals to address this issue, especially after someone in their district, for example, has an accident that supposedly involved an older tire—even if that tire wasn’t properly maintained. Let’s face it: Tires are an easy target.

Until tire companies, auto makers and the tire industry as a whole come to some agreement on when, or even if, there is an age limit on tires, bills like the one in Maryland will continue to spring up. Then the tire industry will do whatever it can to make sure it doesn’t get passed, especially because it is an issue that doesn’t seem to be a problem.

The latest bill tackling tire age limits was introduced in the Mary¬land House a few weeks ago by Del¬egate Benjamin F. Kramer, D-19th District, who maintains that tires more than six-years old pose a safety hazard.

Speaking at a recent hearing on Maryland House Bill 729, Mr. Kramer expressed skepticism about testimony presented by tire industry representatives and played down the significance of studies performed by the Rubber Manufacturers Association that indicated the claims rate for tires does not increase with age.

The delegate chose, instead, to focus on internal studies undertaken by Ford Motor Co. that led the auto maker to recommend tire replacement after six years.

What’s at stake is more than simply slapping a label on a tire.

Even if there is no difference in the safety of a newer tire vs. an older one, most people, if given the chance, will opt for the newest model. That will prove to be an inventory nightmare for the manufacturers and distributors of tires.

Tire dealers, based on the proposed legislation, also would be required to provide consumers with the date-of-manufacture information on a receipt or invoice as well as written disclosures about the dangers of tire aging. They would have to give a copy to consumers and keep the originals for three years. Fines would be levied for those failing to follow the letter of the law.

All of this is over an issue of which there is no industry consensus, and where the data show that tire aging is a minimal public safety issue, at worst.

If the tire industry wants to quash future proposed legislation on this subject, it must decide whether there is an age limit for tires and if so, what that limit is or isn't.

Hopefully, that would end the debate once and for all.

Source: http://www.tirebusiness.com/


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Toyota and Honda issue recalls

Tire Business staff report
WASHINGTON (Dec. 2, 2011) — Toyota Motor North America Inc. is voluntarily recalling 210,000 Toyota Siennas, model years 2011 and 2012, for incorrect load ratings on the vehicles’ tire pressure placards.

Incorrect load information on the placards could lead to tire overloading and tire failure, Toyota said.
The company will mail corrected placards to vehicle owners, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said there was no schedule as yet for the mailing. Meanwhile, owners may call Toyota at (800) 331-4331.
 
Also, American Honda Motor Co. is voluntarily expanding a previously announced recall of certain Hondas and Acuras, model years 2001 through 2003, for defective inflators in driver’s-side airbags.
 
Honda has learned of several incidents in which the airbag inflators deployed with excessive force, causing injuries and even fatalities, the company said in a press release.
 
Honda has determined that approximately 640 vehicles contain the defective inflators, but it is impossible to determine which vehicles have them, the company said. As well as recalling 273,000 vehicles, Honda will inspect another 603,000 vehicles and replace airbag parts as necessary.
 
Recalled vehicles include 2001 and 2002 Accords, 2001-2003 Civics, 2001-2003 Odysseys, 2002 and 2003 CR-Vs, 2003 Pilots, 2002-2003 Acura 3.2 TLs and 2003 Acura 3.2 CLs.

Source: http://www.tirebusiness.com/



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This is Not Tire or Wheel Related But Still Very Important!

Consumer Reports advises how to cope with sudden unintended vehicle acceleration



In the wake of Toyota Motor Corp.’s massive recall of 2.3 million vehicles for problems with sticking accelerator pedals, consumer watchdog group Consumers Union has issued a directive instructing drivers on how to deal with sudden unintended acceleration—the problem some Toyota vehicle owners have experienced.



Yonkers-based Consumers Union, publisher of Consumer Reports (CR) magazine, called the problem of a car racing ahead even though the driver is not pressing on the accelerator pedal “a rare but potentially fatal event.” Toyota reported that there have in fact been several fatalities linked to the problem.



Sometimes there are warning signs beforehand—such as the accelerator pedal being harder to depress, slower to return to its upper position or simply not operating smoothly, CR said. “Other times, the problem strikes without warning.”



If a car suffers sudden unintended acceleration, the Consumer Reports Auto Test Center recommends a driver take the following five steps that can help bring a runaway vehicle safely to a halt:



1. Brake firmly. Do not pump the brakes. Do not turn off the engine yet—because doing so would disable the power assist for your steering and brakes.



2. Shift the transmission into Neutral. Don’t worry if the engine revs up alarmingly; most cars have rev-limiters to protect against damage.



3. Steer to a safe location and come to a full stop.



4. Shut off the engine with the transmission still in Neutral.



5. Finally, shift the transmission into Park or, with a manual transmission, set the emergency brake. Then breathe deep and call for help. Do not drive the car.



An illustrated free, downloadable pdf document on “How to cope with sudden unintended acceleration—Five steps that could save your life” is available at Consumer Reports’ Web site.

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