From SEMA Action Network — Driving Force

DIAMOND BAR, CA — SEMA submitted comments to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on its proposal that all new vehicles be equipped with tire-pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) capable of detecting when a tire is significantly under-inflated. While strongly endorsing that mission, SEMA urged NHTSA to ensure that the TPMS operate correctly with any appropriate tire/wheel package that is installed on the vehicle, not just the original tires.

“Auto enthusiasts and the motoring public have a legitimate expectation that the TPMS will continue to operate properly when replacement or alternate tires and wheels are installed,” said Stuart Gosswein, SEMA’s government affairs manager. “As written, the rule would require only that the TPMS work when the vehicle is first sold. This is not good enough. The TPMS must also work whenever the tires/wheels are replaced or swapped out. This may be the day after the vehicle is sold and an enthusiast wants new wheels for enhanced performance or styling. In order to overcome this hurdle, NHTSA must require vehicle manufacturers to share all information necessary to permit installation and servicing of aftermarket tires and wheels.”

All new vehicles would also be equipped with a dashboard malfunction indicator to alert the driver that the system was not working. SEMA cited this as yet another reason to require access to servicing information, to ensure that the indicator continues to work properly with all appropriate tire/wheel combinations. NHTSA is expected to issue a final rule in mid-2005, with a two-year phase-in period beginning in September 2005.

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