[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2004]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR571.139]

[Page 457-463]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
                   CHAPTER V--NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC
                    SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT
                            OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
 
Sec. 571.139  Standard No. 139; New pneumatic tires for light vehicles.

    S1. Scope and purpose. This standard specifies tire dimensions, test 
requirements, labeling requirements, and defines tire load ratings.
    S2. Application. This standard applies to new pneumatic tires for 
use on motor vehicles (other than motorcycles and low speed vehicles) 
that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less 
and that were manufactured after 1975.
    S3. Definitions.
    Intended outboard sidewall means:
    (1) The sidewall that contains a whitewall, bears white lettering or 
bears manufacturer, brand, and/or model name molding that is higher or 
deeper than the same molding on the other sidewall of the tire, or
    (2) The outward facing sidewall of an asymmetrical tire that has a 
particular side that must always face outward when mounted on a vehicle.
    S4. Tire and rim matching information.
    S4.1. Each manufacturer of tires must ensure that a listing of the 
rims that may be used with each tire that it produces is provided to the 
public in accordance with S4.1.1 and S4.1.2.
    S4.1.1 Each rim listing for a tire must include dimensional 
specifications and a diagram of the rim and must be in one of the 
following forms:
    (a) 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: Docket Section, National Highway Traffic 
Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590; or
    (b) Contained in publications, current at the date of manufacture of 
the tire or any later date, of at least one of the following 
organizations:
    (1) The Tire and Rim Association.
    (2) The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organization.
    (3) Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers' Association, Inc.
    (4) Tyre & Rim Association of Australia.
    (5) Associacao Latino Americana de Pneus e Aros (Brazil).
    (6) South African Bureau of Standards.
    S4.1.2 A listing compiled in accordance with paragraph (a) of S4.1.1 
need not include dimensional specifications or a diagram of a rim whose 
dimensional specifications and diagram are contained in a listing 
published in accordance with paragraph (b) of S4.1.1.
    S4.2. Information contained in a publication specified in S4.1.1(b) 
that lists general categories of tires and rims by size designation, 
type of construction, and/or intended use, is considered to be 
manufacturer's information required by S4.1 for the listed tires, unless 
the publication itself or specific information provided according to 
S4.1(a) indicates otherwise.
    S5. General requirements. [Reserved]
    S5.5 Tire Markings. Except as specified in paragraphs (a) through 
(h) of S5.5, each tire must be marked on each sidewall with the 
information specified in S5.5 (a) through (d) and on one sidewall with 
the information specified in S5.5 (e) through (h) according to the 
phase-in schedule specified in S7 of this standard. The markings must be 
placed between the maximum section width and the bead on at least one 
sidewall, unless the maximum section width of the tire is located in an 
area that is not more than one-fourth of the distance from the bead to 
the shoulder of the tire. If the maximum section width falls within that 
area, those markings must appear between the bead and a point one-half 
the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one 
sidewall. The markings must

[[Page 458]]

be in letters and numerals not less than 0.078 inches high and raised 
above or sunk below the tire surface not less than 0.015 inch. The tire 
identification and DOT symbol labeling must comply with part 574 of this 
chapter.
    (a) The symbol DOT, which constitutes a certification that the tire 
conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards;
    (b) The tire size designation as listed in the documents and 
publications specified in S4.1.1;
    (c) The maximum permissible inflation pressure, subject to the 
limitations of S5.5.4 through S5.5.6;
    (d) The maximum load rating;
    (e) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies (both 
sidewall and tread area) of the tire;
    (f) The actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual 
number of plies in the tread area, if different;
    (g) The term ``tubeless'' or ``tube type,'' as applicable; and
    (h) The word ``radial,'' if the tire is a radial ply tire.
    S5.5.1 Each tire must be labeled with the tire identification number 
required by 49 CFR part 574 on the intended outboard sidewall of the 
tire. Either the tire identification number or a partial tire 
identification number, containing all characters in the tire 
identification number, except for the date code, must be labeled on the 
other sidewall of the tire. If a tire does not have an intended outboard 
sidewall, the tire must be labeled with the tire identification number 
required by 49 CFR part 574 on one sidewall and with either the tire 
identification number or a partial tire identification number, 
containing all characters in the tire identification number except for 
the date code, on the other sidewall.
    S5.5.2 [Reserved]
    S5.5.3 Each tire must be labeled with the name of the manufacturer, 
or brand name and number assigned to the manufacturer in the manner 
specified in 49 CFR part 574.
    S5.5.4 If the maximum inflation pressure of a tire is 240, 280, 290, 
300, 330, 340, 350 or 390 kPa, then:
    (a) Each marking of that inflation pressure pursuant to S5.5(c) must 
be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent psi, rounded to the next 
higher whole number; and
    (b) Each marking of the tire's maximum load rating pursuant to 
S5.5(d) in kilograms must be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent 
load rating in pounds, rounded to the nearest whole number.
    S5.5.5 If the maximum inflation pressure of a tire is 420 kPa (60 
psi), the tire must have permanently molded into or onto both sidewalls, 
in letters and numerals not less than \1/2\ inch high, the words 
``Inflate to 60 psi'' or ``Inflate to 420 kPa (60 psi).'' On both 
sidewalls, the words must be positioned in an area between the tire 
shoulder and the bead of the tire. However, the words must be also 
positioned on the tire so that they are not obstructed by the flange of 
any rim designated for use with that tire in this standard or in 
Standard No. 110 (Sec. 571.110 of this part).
    S5.5.6 For LT tires, the maximum permissible inflation pressure 
shown must be the inflation pressure that corresponds to the maximum 
load of the tire for the tire size as specified in one of the 
publications described in S4.1.1.(b) of Sec. 571.139. At the 
manufacturer's option, the shown inflation pressure may be as much as 10 
psi (69 kPa) greater than the inflation pressure corresponding to the 
specified maximum load.
    S6. Test procedures, conditions and performance requirements. 
[Reserved]
    S7. Phase-in schedule for tire markings.
    S7.1 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2004 and before 
September 1, 2005. For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2004 
and before September 1, 2005, the number of tires complying with S4 and 
S5.5 of this standard must be equal to not less than 40% of the 
manufacturer's production during that period.
    S7.2 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 and before 
September 1, 2006. For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 
and before September 1, 2006, the number of tires complying with S4 and 
S5.5 of this standard must be equal to not less than 70% of the 
manufacturer's production during that period.

[[Page 459]]

    S7.3 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2006. Each tire 
must comply with S6.3 of this standard.

[67 FR 69627, Nov. 18, 2002]

    Effective Date Notes: 1. At 67 FR 69627, Nov. 18, 2002, Sec. 
571.139 was added, effective Sept. 1, 2003. At 68 FR 33655, June 5, 
2003, the effective date was delayed until Sept. 1, 2004. At 69 FR 
31306, June 3, 2004 the effective date was further delayed until Sept. 
1, 2005.
    2. At 68 FR 38150, June 26, 2003, Sec. 571.139 was amended by 
revising S3 and S5, adding S5.1 through S5.4, adding the text of S6, and 
adding S6.1 through S6.6, effective June 1, 2007. For the convenience of 
the user, the revised and added text is set forth as follows:

Sec. 571.139  Standard No. 139; New pneumatic radial tires for light 
          vehicles.

                                * * * * *

    S3. Definitions
    Bead means the part of the tire that is made of steel wires, wrapped 
or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped to fit the rim.
    Bead separation means a breakdown of the bond between components in 
the bead.
    Bias ply tire means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that 
extend to the beads are laid at alternate angles substantially less than 
90 degrees to the centerline of the tread.
    Carcass means the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber 
which, when inflated, bears the load.
    Chunking means the breaking away of pieces of the tread or sidewall.
    Cord means the strands forming the plies in the tire.
    Cord separation means the parting of cords from adjacent rubber 
compounds.
    Cracking means any parting within the tread, sidewall, or inner 
liner of the tire extending to cord material.
    CT means a pneumatic tire with an inverted flange tire and rim 
system in which the rim is designed with rim flanges pointed radially 
inward and the tire is designed to fit on the underside of the rim in a 
manner that encloses the rim flanges inside the air cavity of the tire.
    Extra load tire means a tire designed to operate at higher loads and 
at higher inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire.
    Groove means the space between two adjacent tread ribs.
    Innerliner means the layer(s) forming the inside surface of a 
tubeless tire that contains the inflating medium within the tire.
    Innerliner separation means the parting of the innerliner from cord 
material in the carcass.
    Light truck (LT) tire means a tire designated by its manufacturer as 
primarily intended for use on lightweight trucks or multipurpose 
passenger vehicles.
    Load rating means the maximum load that a tire is rated to carry for 
a given inflation pressure.
    Maximum load rating means the load rating for a tire at the maximum 
permissible inflation pressure for that tire.
    Maximum permissible inflation pressure means the maximum cold 
inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated.
    Measuring rim means the rim on which a tire is fitted for physical 
dimension requirements.
    Open splice means any parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or 
innerliner that extends to cord material.
    Outer diameter means the overall diameter of an inflated new tire.
    Overall width means the linear distance between the exteriors of the 
sidewalls of an inflated tire, including elevations due to labeling, 
decorations, or protective bands or ribs.
    Ply means a layer of rubber-coated parallel cords.
    Ply separation means a parting of rubber compound between adjacent 
plies.
    Pneumatic tire means a mechanical device made of rubber, chemicals, 
fabric and steel or other materials, that, when mounted on an automotive 
wheel, provides the traction and contains the gas or fluid that sustains 
the load.
    Radial ply tire means a pneumatic tire in which the ply cords that 
extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90 degrees to the 
centerline of the tread.
    Reinforced tire means a tire designed to operate at higher loads and 
at higher inflation pressures than the corresponding standard tire.
    Rim means a metal support for a tire or a tire and tube assembly 
upon which the tire beads are seated.
    Section width means the linear distance between the exteriors of the 
sidewalls of an inflated tire, excluding elevations due to labeling, 
decoration, or protective bands.
    Sidewall means that portion of a tire between the tread and bead.
    Sidewall separation means the parting of the rubber compound from 
the cord material in the sidewall.
    Test rim means the rim on which a tire is fitted for testing, and 
may be any rim listed as appropriate for use with that tire.
    Tread means that portion of a tire that comes into contact with the 
road.
    Tread rib means a tread section running circumferentially around a 
tire.
    Tread separation means pulling away of the tread from the tire 
carcass.
    Treadwear indicators (TWI) means the projections within the 
principal grooves designed to give a visual indication of the degrees of 
wear of the tread.

[[Page 460]]

    Wheel-holding fixture means the fixture used to hold the wheel and 
tire assembly securely during testing.

                                * * * * *

                        S5. General requirements

    S5.1. Size and construction. Each tire shall fit each rim specified 
for its size designation in accordance with S4.1.
    S5.2. Performance requirements. Each tire shall conform to each of 
the following:
    (a) It shall meet the requirements specified in S6 for its tire size 
designation, type, and maximum permissible inflation pressure.
    (b) It shall meet each of the applicable requirements set forth in 
paragraphs (c) and (d) of this S5.2, when mounted on a model rim 
assembly corresponding to any rim designated by the tire manufacturer 
for use with the tire in accordance with S4.
    (c) Except in the case of a CT tire, its maximum permissible 
inflation pressure shall be 240, 280, 300, 340, or 350 kPa. For a CT 
tire, the maximum permissible inflation pressure shall be 290, 330, 350, 
or 390 kPa.
    (d) Its load rating shall be that specified either in a submission 
made by an individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4, or in one of the 
publications described in S4 for its size designation, type and each 
appropriate inflation pressure. If the maximum load rating for a 
particular tire size is shown in more than one of the publications 
described in S4, each tire of that size designation shall have a maximum 
load rating that is not less than the published maximum load rating, or 
if there are differing maximum load ratings for the same tire size 
designation, not less then the lowest published maximum load rating.
    S5.3. Test sample. For the tests specified in S6, use:
    (a) One tire for high speed;
    (b) Another tire for endurance and low inflation pressure 
performance; and
    (c) A third tire for physical dimensions, resistance to bead 
unseating, and strength, in sequence.
    S5.4. Treadwear indicators. Except in the case of tires with a 12-
inch or smaller rim diameter, each tire shall have not less than six 
treadwear indicators spaced approximately equally around the 
circumference of the tire that enable a person inspecting the tire to 
determine visually whether the tire has worn to a tread depth of one 
sixteenth of an inch. Tires with 12-inch or smaller rim diameter shall 
have not less than three such treadwear indicators.

                                * * * * *

    S6. Test procedures, conditions and performance requirements. Each 
tire shall meet all of the applicable requirements of this section when 
tested according to the conditions and procedures set forth in S5 and 
S6.1 through S6.7.

                          S6.1. Tire dimensions

    S6.1.1 Test conditions and procedures.
    S6.1.1.1 Tire Preparation.
    S6.1.1.1.1 Mount the tire on the measuring rim specified by the tire 
manufacturer or in one of the publications listed in S4.1.1
    S6.1.1.1.2 In the case of a P-metric tire, inflate it to the 
pressure specified in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Inflation pressure  (kPa)       T-type           CT Tires  (kPa)
----------------------------- temporary use ----------------------------
                                  spare
                                inflation
   Standard      Reinforced      pressure       Standard     Reinforced
                                  (kPa)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
         180            220            420            230           270
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    S6.1.1.1.3 In the case of a LT tire, inflate it to the pressure at 
maximum load as labeled on sidewall.
    S6.1.1.1.4 Condition the assembly at an ambient room temperature of 
38 [deg]C for not less than 24 hours.
    S6.1.1.1.5 Readjust the tire pressure to that specified in S6.1.1.2.
    S6.1.1.2 Test Procedure.
    S6.1.1.2.1 Measure the section width and overall width by caliper at 
six points approximately equally spaced around the circumference of the 
tire, avoiding measurement of the additional thickness of the special 
protective ribs or bands. The average of the measurements so obtained 
are taken as the section width and overall width, respectively.
    S6.1.1.2.2 Determine the outer diameter by measuring the maximum 
circumference of the tire and dividing the figure so obtained by Pi 
(3.14).
    S6.1.2 Performance Requirements. The actual section width and 
overall width for each tire measured in accordance with S6.1.1.2, shall 
not exceed the section width specified in a submission made by an 
individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4.1.1(a) or in one of the 
publications described in S4.1.1(b) for its size designation and type by 
more than:
    (a) (For tires with a maximum permissible inflation pressure of 32, 
36, or 40 psi) 7 percent, or
    (b) (For tires with a maximum permissible inflation pressure of 240, 
280, 290, 300, 330, 350

[[Page 461]]

or 390 kPa, or 60 psi) 7 percent or 10 mm (0.4 inches), whichever is 
larger.

                       S6.2 High Speed Performance

    S6.2.1 Test conditions and procedures.
    S6.2.1.1 Preparation of tire.
    S6.2.1.1.1 Mount the tire on a test rim and inflate it to the 
pressure specified for the tire in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Test pressure
                   Tire application                          (kPa)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-metric:
    Standard load....................................                220
    Extra load.......................................                260
Load Range C.........................................                320
Load Range D.........................................                410
Load Range E.........................................                500
CT:
  Standard load......................................                270
  Extra load.........................................                310
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    S6.2.1.1.2 Condition the assembly at 38 [deg]C for not less than 
three hours.
    S6.2.1.1.3 Before or after mounting the assembly on a test axle, 
readjust the tire pressure to that specified in S6.2.1.1.1.
    S6.2.1.2 Test procedure.
    S6.2.1.2.1 Press the assembly against the outer face of a test drum 
with a diameter of 1.70 m  1%.
    S6.2.1.2.2 Apply to the test axle a load equal to 85% of the tire's 
maximum load carrying capacity.
    S6.2.1.2.3 Break-in the tire by running it for 2 hours at 80 km/h.
    S6.2.1.2.4 Allow tire to cool to 38 [deg]C and readjust inflation 
pressure to applicable pressure in 6.2.1.1.1 immediately before the 
test.
    S6.2.1.2.5 Throughout the test, the inflation pressure is not 
corrected and the test load is maintained at the value applied in 
S6.2.1.2.2.
    S6.2.1.2.6 During the test, the ambient temperature, measured at a 
distance of not less than 150 mm and not more than 1 m from the tire, 
shall be maintained at not less than 38 [deg]C.
    S6.2.1.2.7 The test is conducted, continuously and uninterrupted, 
for ninety minutes through three thirty-minute consecutive test stages 
at the following speeds: 140, 150, and 160 km/h.
    S6.2.1.2.8 Allow the tire to cool for one hour. Measure its 
inflation pressure. Then, deflate the tire, remove it from the test rim, 
and inspect it for the conditions specified in S6.2.2(a).
    S6.2.2 Performance requirements. When the tire is tested in 
accordance with S6.2.1:
    (a) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, 
innerliner, belt or bead separation, chunking, open splices, cracking, 
or broken cords.
    (b) The tire pressure, when measured at least 1 hour after the end 
of the test, shall not be less than the initial pressure specified in 
S6.2.1.

                           S6.3 Tire Endurance

    S6.3.1 Test conditions and procedures.
    S6.3.1.1 Preparation of Tire.
    S6.3.1.1.1 Mount the tire on a test rim and inflate it to the 
pressure specified for the tire in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Test Pressure
                   Tire application                          (kPa)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-metric:
  Standard load......................................                180
  Extra load.........................................                220
LT:
  Load Range C.......................................                260
  Load Range D.......................................                340
  Load Range E.......................................                410
CT:
  Standard load......................................                230
  Extra load.........................................                270
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    S6.3.1.1.2 Condition the assembly at 38 [deg]C for not less than 
three hours.
    S6.3.1.1.3 Readjust the pressure to the value specified in 
S6.3.1.1.1 immediately before testing.
    S6.3.1.2 Test Procedure.
    S6.3.1.2.1 Mount the assembly on a test axle and press it against 
the outer face of a smooth wheel having a diameter of 1.70 m  1%.
    S6.3.1.2.2 During the test, the ambient temperature, measured at a 
distance of not less than 150 mm and not more than 1 m from the tire, 
shall not be less than 38 [deg]C.
    S6.3.1.2.3 Conduct the test, without interruptions, at not less than 
120 km/h test speed with loads and test periods not less than those 
shown in the following table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                Load as a percentage of
     Test period          Duration  (hours)     tire maximum load rating
------------------------------------------------------------------------
             1                        4                        85%
             2                        6                        90
             3                       24                       100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    S6.3.1.2.4 Throughout the test, the inflation pressure is not 
corrected and the test loads are maintained at the value corresponding 
to each test period, as shown in the table in S6.3.1.2.3.
    S6.3.1.2.5 Allow the tire to cool for one hour after running the 
tire for the time specified in the table in S6.3.1.2.3, measure its 
inflation pressure. Inspect the tire externally on the test rim for the 
conditions specified in S6.3.2(a).
    S6.3.2 Performance requirements. When the tire is tested in 
accordance with S6.3.1:
    (a) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, 
belt or bead separation, chunking, open splices, cracking or broken 
cords.
    (b) The tire pressure, when measured at least one hour after the end 
of the test, shall

[[Page 462]]

not be less than the initial pressure specified in S6.3.1.

                 S6.4 Low Inflation Pressure Performance

    S6.4.1 Test conditions and procedures.
    S6.4.1.1 Preparation of tire.
    S6.4.1.1.1 This test is conducted following completion of the tire 
endurance test using the same tire and rim assembly tested in accordance 
with S6.3 with the tire deflated to the following appropriate pressure:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         Test pressure
                   Tire application                          (kPa)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
P-metric:
  Standard load......................................                140
  Extra load.........................................                160
LT:
  Load Range C.......................................                200
  Load Range D.......................................                260
  Load Range E.......................................                320
CT:
  Standard load......................................                170
  Extra load.........................................                180
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    S6.4.1.1.2 The assembly is conditioned at not less than 38 [deg]C.
    S6.4.1.1.3 Before or after mounting the assembly on a test axle, 
readjust the tire pressure to that specified in S6.4.1.1.1.
    S6.4.1.2 Test procedure.
    S6.4.1.2.1 The test is conducted for ninety minutes at the end of 
the test specified in S6.3, continuous and uninterrupted, at a speed of 
120 km/h (75 mph).
    S6.4.1.2.2 Press the assembly against the outer face of a test drum 
with a diameter of 1.70 m + 1%.
    S6.4.1.2.3 Apply to the test axle a load equal to 100% of the tire's 
maximum load carrying capacity.
    S6.4.1.2.4 Throughout the test, the inflation pressure is not 
corrected and the test load is maintained at the initial level.
    S6.4.1.2.5 During the test, the ambient temperature, at a distance 
of not less than 150 mm and not more than 1 m from the tire, is 
maintained at not less than 38 [deg]C.
    S6.4.1.2.6 Allow the tire to cool for one hour. Measure its 
inflation pressure. Then, deflate the tire, remove it from the test rim, 
and inspect it for the conditions specified in S6.4.2(a).
    S6.4.2 Performance requirements. When the tire is tested in 
accordance with S6.4.1:
    (a) There shall be no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, cord, 
innerliner, belt or bead separation, chunking, open splices, cracking, 
or broken cords, and
    (b) The tire pressure, when measured at least one hour after the end 
of the test, shall not be less than the initial pressure specified in 
S6.4.1.
    S6.5 Tire strength.
    S6.5.1 Tire strength for P-metric tires. Each tire shall comply with 
the requirements of S5.3 of Sec. 571.109.
    S6.5.2 Tire strength for LT tires. Each tire shall comply with the 
requirements of S7.3 of Sec. 571.119.
    S6.6 Tubeless tire bead unseating resistance. Each tire shall comply 
with the requirements of S5.2 of Sec. 571.109.

                                * * * * *

    3. At 69 FR 31319, June 3, 2004, Sec. 571.139 was amended by 
revising its heading, S2, S5.5, S5.5.1, 5.5.4, S7.1, S7.2 and S7.3, 
effective Sept. 1, 2005. For the convenience of the user the revised 
text is set forth as follows:

Sec. 571.139  Standard No. 139; New pneumatic radial tires for light 
          vehicles.

                                * * * * *

    S2. Application. This standard applies to new pneumatic radial tires 
for use on motor vehicles (other than motorcycles and low speed 
vehicles) that have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 10,000 
pounds or less and that were manufactured after 1975. This standard does 
not apply to special tires (ST) for trailers in highway service, tires 
for use on farm implements (FI) in agricultural service with 
intermittent highway use, and tires with rim diameters of 8 inches and 
below.

                                * * * * *

    S5.5 Tire Markings. Except as specified in paragraphs (a) through 
(h) of S5.5, each tire must be marked on each sidewall with the 
information specified in S5.5 (a) through (d) and on one sidewall with 
the information specified in S5.5 (e) through (h) according to the 
phase-in schedule specified in S7 of this standard. The markings must be 
placed between the maximum section width and the bead on at least one 
sidewall, unless the maximum section width of the tire is located in an 
area that is not more than one-fourth of the distance from the bead to 
the shoulder of the tire. If the maximum section width falls within that 
area, those markings must appear between the bead and a point one-half 
the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire, on at least one 
sidewall. The markings must be in letters and numerals not less than 
0.078 inches high and raised above or sunk below the tire surface not 
less than 0.015 inch.
    (a) The symbol DOT, which constitutes a certification that the tire 
conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards;
    (b) The tire size designation as listed in the documents and 
publications specified in S4.1.1 of this standard;
    (c) The maximum permissible inflation pressure, subject to the 
limitations of S5.5.4 through S5.5.6 of this standard;

[[Page 463]]

    (d) The maximum load rating;
    (e) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies (both 
sidewall and tread area) of the tire;
    (f) The actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual 
number of plies in the tread area, if different;
    (g) The term ``tubeless'' or ``tube type,'' as applicable; and
    (h) The word ``radial,'' if the tire is a radial ply tire.
    S5.5.1 Tire identification number.
    (a) Tires manufactured before September 1, 2009. Each tire must be 
labeled with the tire identification number required by 49 CFR part 574 
on a sidewall of the tire. Except for retreaded tires, either the tire 
identification number or a partial tire identification number, 
containing all characters in the tire identification number, except for 
the date code and, at the discretion of the manufacturer, any optional 
code, must be labeled on the other sidewall of the tire.
    (b) Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2009. Each tire must 
be labeled with the tire identification number required by 49 CFR part 
574 on the intended outboard sidewall of the tire. Except for retreaded 
tires, either the tire identification number or a partial tire 
identification number, containing all characters in the tire 
identification number, except for the date code and, at the discretion 
of the manufacturer, any optional code, must be labeled on the other 
sidewall of the tire. Except for retreaded tires, if a tire does not 
have an intended outboard sidewall, the tire must be labeled with the 
tire identification number required by 49 CFR part 574 on one sidewall 
and with either the tire identification number or a partial tire 
identification number, containing all characters in the tire 
identification number except for the date code and, at the discretion of 
the manufacturer, any optional code, on the other sidewall.

                                * * * * *

    S5.5.4 For passenger car tires, if the maximum inflation pressure of 
a tire is 240, 280, 290, 300, 330, 340, 350 or 390 kPa, then:
    (a) Each marking of that inflation pressure pursuant to S5.5(c) must 
be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent psi, rounded to the next 
higher whole number; and
    (b) Each marking of the tire's maximum load rating pursuant to 
S5.5(d) in kilograms must be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent 
load rating in pounds, rounded to the nearest whole number.

                                * * * * *

    S7.1 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 and before 
September 1, 2006. For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2005 
and before September 1, 2006, the number of tires complying with S4, 
S5.5, S5.5.1, S5.5.2, S5.5.3, S5.5.4, S5.5.5, and S5.5.6 of this 
standard must be equal to not less than 40% of the manufacturer's 
production during that period.
    S7.2 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 and before 
September 1, 2007. For tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2006 
and before September 1, 2007, the number of tires complying with S4, 
S5.5, S5.5.1, S5.5.2, S5.5.3, S5.5.4, S5.5.5, and S5.5.6 of this 
standard must be equal to not less than 70% of the manufacturer's 
production during that period.
    S7.3 Tires manufactured on or after September 1, 2007. Each tire 
must comply with S4, S5.5, S5.5.1, S5.5.2, S5.5.3, S5.5.4, S5.5.5, and 
S5.5.6 of this standard.