§ 159.4. Requirements.
(a) Size and construction. Each tire shall be designed to fit each rim specified for its size designation in each reference cited in the definition of test rim in § 159.3 (relating to definitions).
(b) Performance requirements. Performance requirements shall be as follows:
(1) General. Each tire shall conform to each of the following:
(i) It shall meet the requirements specified in paragraph (2) for its tire size designation, type and maximum permissible inflation pressure.
(ii) Its maximum permissible inflation pressure shall be either 32, 36, 40, or 60 p.s.i., or 240, 280 or 300 KPa.
(iii) Its load rating shall be that specified in Table I of Appendix A of this chapter for its size designation, type and each appropriate inflation pressure.
(iv) If manufactured on or after August 1, 1968, it shall incorporate a tread wear indicator that will provide a visual indication that the tire has worn to a tread depth of 1/16 inch.
(v) It shall, before being subjected to either the endurance test procedure specified in § 159.5(d) (relating to test procedures) or the high speed performance procedure specified in § 159.5(e), exhibit no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking or open splices.
(vi) It shall meet the requirements of paragraph (2)(v) and (2)(vi) when tested on a test wheel described in § 159.5(d)(2)(i) (relating to test procedures), either alone or simultaneously with up to five other tires.
(2) Test requirements. Test requirements shall be as follows:
(i) Test sample. For each test sample the following shall be used:
(A) One tire for physical dimensions, resistance to bead unseating, and strength, in sequence.
(B) Another tire for tire endurance.
(C) A third tire for high speed performance.
(ii) Physical dimensions. Each tire, when measured in accordance with § 159.5(a) shall conform with each of the following:
(A) Its actual section width and overall width shall not exceed by more than 7.0% the section width specified in Table I of Appendix A for its size designation and type.
(B) Its size factor shall be at least as large as that specified in Table I of Appendix A for its size designation and type.
(iii) Tubeless tire resistance to bead unseating. When tested in accordance with § 159.5(b), the applied force required to unseat the tire bead at the point of contact is less than:
(A) 1,500 pounds for tires with a designated section width of less than 6 inches.
(B) 2,000 pounds for tires with a designated section width of 6 inches or more but less than 8 inches.
(C) 2,500 pounds for tires with a designated section width of 8 inches or more, using the section width specified in Table I of Appendix A for the applicable tire size designation and type.
(iv) Tire strength. Each tire shall meet the requirements for minimum breaking energy specified in Table II of Appendix A when tested in accordance with § 159.5(c).
(v) Tire endurance. When the tire has been subjected to the laboratory endurance test specified in § 159.5(d) using a test rim that undergoes no permanent deformation and allows no loss of air through the portion that it comprises of the tire-rim pressure chamber:
(A) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking or open splices.
(B) The tire pressure at the end of the test shall be not less than the initial pressures specified in § 159.5(d)(1)(i).
(vi) High speed performance. When the tire has been subjected to the laboratory high speed performance test specified in § 159.5(e), using a test rim that undergoes no permanent deformation and allows no loss of air through the portion that it comprises of the tire rim pressure chamber, the tire shall meet the requirements set forth in subparagraph (v)(A) and (B).
(c) Labeling requirements. Labeling requirements shall be as follows:
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), each tire shall have permanently molded into or onto both sidewalls, in letters and numerals not less than 0.078 inches high, the information shown in subparagraphs (i) through (vii). On at least one sidewall, the information shall be positioned in an area between the maximum section width and bead of the tire. However, in no case shall the information be positioned on the tire so that it is obstructed by the flange of any rim designed for use with that tire under the provisions of this chapter and Standard No. 571.110.
(i) One size designation, except that equivalent inch and metric size designations may be used.
(ii) Maximum permissible inflation pressure.
(iii) Maximum load rating.
(iv) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies, both sidewall and tread area, of the tire.
(v) Actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual number of plies in the tread area, if different.
(vi) The words ‘‘tubeless’’ or ‘‘tube type’’ as applicable.
(vii) The word ‘‘radial’’ if the tire is a radial ply tire.
(2) Each tire shall be labeled with the symbol ‘‘DOT’’ in the manner specified in 49 CFR Part 574, which shall constitute a certification that the tire conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
(3) Each tire shall be labeled with the name of the manufacturer, or brand name and number assigned to manufacturer in the manner specified in 49 CFR Part 574.
(4) Each tire manufactured between March 1, 1971, and May 22, 1971, shall either:
(i) Comply with section 4.3(d)(2) and 4.3(i), as effective until May 22, 1971.
(ii) Be labeled with the tire identification number required by 49 CFR 574.5 and comply with paragraphs (2) and (3) as effective on and after May 22, 1971.
(d) Tire and rim matching information. Matching information requirements shall be as follows:
(1) Each manufacturer of tires shall ensure that a listing of the rims that may be used with each tire that he produces is provided to the public. A listing compiled in accordance with subparagraph (i) need not include dimensional specifications or diagram of a rim if the dimensional specifications and diagram of the rim are contained in each listing published in accordance with subparagraph (ii). The listing shall be in one of the following forms:
(i) Listed by manufacturer name or brand name in a document furnished to dealers of the manufacturer’s tires, to any person upon request, and in duplicate to: Tire Division, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street S.W., Washington D.C. 20590.
(ii) Contained in publications current at the date of manufacture of the tire or any later date of at least one of the following organizations:
(A) The Tire and Rim Association.
(B) The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation.
(C) Japanese Industrial Standards.
(D) Deutsche Industrie Norm.
(E) The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Ltd.
(F) British Standards Institution.
(G) Scandinavian Tire and Rim Organisation.
(2) Information contained in any publication specified in paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection which lists general categories of tires and rims by size designation, type of construction or intended use, shall be considered to be information of the manufacturer under paragraph (1) for the listed tires and rims, unless the publication itself or specific information provided according to paragraph (1)(i) indicates otherwise.
Source The provisions of this § 159.4 amended January 26, 1979, effective January 27, 1979, 9 Pa.B. 346.
Cross References This section cited in 67 Pa. Code § 159.3 (relating to definitions); and 67 Pa. Code § 159.5 (relating to test procedures).
No part of the information on this site may be reproduced for profit or sold for profit.
This material has been drawn directly from the official Pennsylvania Code full text database. Due to the limitations of HTML or differences in display capabilities of different browsers, this version may differ slightly from the official printed version.
