The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently proposed more rigorous tire-performance standards for all new tires used on vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating (gvwr) of 10,000 pounds or less.
The regulations would be included in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) No. 139. Rules would cover the effects of tire heat buildup, low inflation and aging.
It is expected that the regulations will be phased in by 2005.
