All California automobile service providers are required to check tire pressures for every vehicle being maintained or repaired at their facility as of September 2010. The law applies to auto maintenance/repair providers but not to auto parts distributers/retailers, auto body/paint facilities, auto glass installers or wreckers/dismantlers.
Recently, the California legislature unanimously passed a bill, which is expected to be signed into law to clarify that tire pressure gauges used for these purposes must be accurate within 2 psi. The legislation also allows the service provider to refuse to check the pressure if the tire is “unsafe” (i.e. excessive tread wear) or damaged (i.e. crack, bulge or ply separation).
Under the law, service providers are required to inflate the tires to the recommended tire pressure rating. The provider must note on the invoice that the tire inflation service was completed and then keep a copy of the service invoice for at least three years. The customer may decline the check if the customer affirms that a check had already been done within the last 30 days, or they will have it checked within the next seven days. The rule applies to all vehicles weighing less than 10,000 lbs.
For more information, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.