14 Jun 2005
Washington D.C.--Seeking to counteract two auto makers' consumer recommendations regarding tyre age, the Rubber Manufacturers Association has asked the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to issue a consumer advisory outlining proper tyre care and the factors--such as poor maintenance, poor storage conditions and tyre damage--that can affect a tyre's service life.
The RMA strongly disagrees with the decision by Ford Motor Co. and DaimlerChrysler L.L.C. to add a paragraph to their owners' manuals advising motorists to replace their tyres after six years of service, regardless of their condition. "We emphasize the need to answer the fundamental question--whether tire service life alone has an effect on real-world tire safety performance--before the agency settles on the appropriate course of action," the RMA said.
It promised to work with NHTSA to evaluate the tyre aging data gathered by Ford and other sources.
Website of RMA
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