Court Puts Final Stamp on TPMS Regs

A Federal appeals court dismissed a lawsuit against the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) challenging its TPMS regulations, putting to an end a three-year quest by some tire companies and a consumer group to strengthen the rules. The plaintiffs – Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper, Pirelli North America, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and consumer group Public Citizen – challenged NHTSA standard requiring factory-installed TPMS to notify drivers if tire pressure drops 25 percent below carmaker-set tire inflation pressures. The group said that in order to be effective, the standards should be stricter.

The plaintiffs – Goodyear, Bridgestone/Firestone, Cooper, Pirelli North America, the Tire Industry Association (TIA) and consumer group Public Citizen – challenged NHTSA standard requiring factory-installed TPMS to notify drivers if tire pressure drops 25 percent below carmaker-set tire inflation pressures. The group said that in order to be effective, the standards should be stricter.

Last June, a U.S. Court of Appeals ruled the parties failed to establish their standing in the dispute. The group continued pressing its appeal.

The group originally filed suit in June 2005, asking the court to toss out NHTSA’s final TPMS regulations (FMVSS 138), issued in April 2005. ( Courtesy of Tire Review )