By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
SEMA-opposed legislation to require tire retailers to provide a written disclosure on a used tire’s age, including the week and year the tire was manufactured, died when the Legislature adjourned for the year. The bill also required the disclosure to include a statement on tire aging explaining that tire age can contribute to crashes and that tires should be replaced every six years.
Tire manufacturers that sell product in the United States comply with the strictest government tire safety testing standards in the world. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has been studying tire aging for years and has yet to conclude that any regulatory action is needed. No auto industry, tire industry or NHTSA data has determined that a tire cannot perform when it reaches a particular chronological age. Tire properties evolve over a combination of time, service and storage conditions. Tires change more rapidly when exposed to excessive heat, under-inflation or overloaded conditions.
Tires should be removed from service for several reasons, including tread worn down to minimum depth, signs of damage or signs of abuse. SEMA recommends that consumers have tires, including the spare, inspected regularly. Tire inflation pressure should be checked and properly adjusted at least once per month to maintain safety and fuel economy.
For details, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org.