[Code of Federal Regulations]

[Title 49, Volume 6]

[Revised as of October 1, 2005]

From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access

[CITE: 49CFR571.109]



[Page 364-373]

 

                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION

 

                            OF TRANSPORTATION

 

PART 571_FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS--Table of Contents

 

            Subpart B_Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

 

Sec. 571.109  Standard No. 109; New pneumatic tires.



    S1. Scope. This standard specifies tire dimensions and laboratory 

test requirements for bead unseating resistance, strength, endurance, 

and high speed performance; defines tire load ratings; and specifies 

labeling requirements for passenger car tires.

    S2. Application. This standard applies to new pneumatic tires for 

use on passenger cars manufactured after 1948. However, it does not 

apply to any tire that has been altered so as to render impossible its 

use, or its repair for use, as motor vehicle equipment. In addition, 

S4.3 does not apply to tires certified to comply with S5.5 of Sec. 

571.139 and S4.4. does not apply to tires certified to comply with S4 of 

Sec. 571.139.

    S3. Definitions.

    Bead means that part of the tire made of steel wires, wrapped or 

reinforced by ply cords, that is shaped to fit the rim.

    Bead separation means a breakdown of bond between components in the 

bead area.

    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[deg] to the centerline of the tread.

    Carcass means the tire structure, except tread and sidewall rubber.

    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 cords parting away from adjacent rubber 

compounds.

    Cracking means any parting within the tread, sidewall, or innerliner 

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.

    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.

    Load rating means the maximum load a tire is rated to carry for a 

given inflation pressure.

    Maximum permissible inflation pressure means the maximum cold 

inflation pressure to which a tire may be inflated.

    Maximum load rating means the load rating at the maximum permissible 

inflation pressure for that tire.

    Open splice means any parting at any junction of tread, sidewall, or 

innerliner that extends to cord material.

    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, which, 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 which 

extend to the beads are laid at substantially 90[deg] to the centerline 

of the tread.

    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 the 

bead.

    Sidewall separation means the parting of the rubber compound from 

the cord material in the sidewall.

    Test rim means, with reference to a tire to be tested, any rim that 

is listed as appropriate for use with that tire in accordance with S4.4. 

For purposes of this section and Sec. 571.110, each rim listing shall 

include dimensional specifications and a diagram of the rim.

    Tread means that portion of a tire that comes into contact with the 

road.



[[Page 365]]



    Tread rib means a tread section running circumferentially around a 

tire.

    Tread separation means pulling away of the tread from the tire 

carcass.

    S4. Requirements.

    S4.1 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 S3.

    S4.2 Performance requirements.

    S4.2.1 General. Each tire shall conform to each of the following:

    (a) It shall meet the requirements specified in S4.2.2 for its tire 

size designation, type, and maximum permissible inflation pressure.

    (b) Its maximum permissible inflation pressure shall be either 32, 

36, 40, or 60 psi, or 240, 280, 300, 340, or 350 kPa. For a CT tire, the 

maximum permissible inflation pressure shall be either 290, 330, 350, or 

390 kPa.

    (c) Its load rating shall be that specified in a submission made by 

an individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4.4.1(a), or in one of the 

publications described in S4.4.1(b) 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 S4.4.1(b), 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 than the lowest published maximum load 

rating.

    (d) It shall incorporate a tread wear indicator that will provide a 

visual indication that the tire has worn to a tread depth of 1.6 mm (\1/

16\ inch).

    (e) It shall, before being subjected to either the endurance test 

procedure specified in S5.4 or the high speed performance procedure 

specified in S5.5, exhibit no visual evidence of tread, sidewall, ply, 

cord, innerliner, or bead separation, chunking, broken cords, cracking, 

or open splices.

    (f) It shall meet the requirements of S4.2.2.5 and S4.2.2.6 when 

tested on a test wheel described in S5.4.2.1 either alone or 

simultaneously with up to 5 other tires.

    S4.2.2 Test requirements.

    S4.2.2.1 Test sample. For each test sample use:

    (a) One tire for physical dimensions, resistance to bead unseating, 

and strength, in sequence;

    (b) Another tire for tire endurance; and

    (c) A third tire for high speed performance.

    S4.2.2.2 Physical dimensions. The actual section width and overall 

width for each tire measured in accordance with S5.1, shall not exceed 

the section width specified in a submission made by an individual 

manufacturer, pursuant to S4.4.1(a) or in one of the publications 

described in S4.4.1(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 or 390 kPa, or 60 psi) 7 percent or 10 mm (0.4 

inches), whichever is larger.

    S4.2.2.3 Tubeless tire resistance to bead unseating.

    S4.2.2.3.1 When a tubeless tire that has a maximum inflation 

pressure other than 420 kPa (60 psi) is tested in accordance with S5.2, 

the applied force required to unseat the tire bead at the point of 

contact shall be not less than:

    (a) 6,670 N (1,500 pounds) for tires with a designated section width 

of less than 160 mm (6 inches);

    (b) 8,890 N (2,000 pounds) for tires with a designated section width 

of 160 mm (6 inches) or more but less than 205 mm (8 inches);

    (c) 11,120 N (2,500 pounds) for tires with a designated section 

width of 205 mm (8 inches) or more, using the section width specified in 

a submission made by an individual manufacturer, pursuant to S4.4.1(a), 

or in one of the publications described in S4.4.1(b) for the applicable 

tire size designation and type.

    S4.2.2.3.2 When a tire that has a maximum inflation pressure of 420 

kPa (60 psi) is tested in accordance with S5.2, the applied force 

required to unseat the bead at the point of contact shall be not less 

than:

    (a) 6,670 N (1,500 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 

less than 399 kg (880 pounds);



[[Page 366]]



    (b) 8,890 N (2,000 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 

399 kg (880 pounds) or more but less than 635 kg (1,400 pounds);

    (c) 11,120 N (2,500 pounds) for tires with a maximum load rating of 

635 kg (1,400 pounds) or more, using the maximum load rating marked on 

the sidewall of the tire.

    S4.2.2.4 Tire strength. Each tire shall meet the requirements for 

minimum breaking energy specified in Table 1 when tested in accordance 

with S5.3.

    S4.2.2.5 Tire endurance. When the tire has been subjected to the 

laboratory endurance test specified in S5.4, 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 S5.4.1.1.

    S4.2.2.6 High speed performance. When the tire has been subjected to 

the laboratory high speed performance test specified in S5.5, 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 S4.2.2.5 (a) 

and (b).

    S4.3 Labeling Requirements. Except as provided in S4.3.1 and S4.3.2 

of this standard, each tire, except for those certified to comply with 

S5.5 of Sec. 571.139, shall have permanently molded into or onto both 

sidewalls, in letters and numerals not less than 0.078 inches high, the 

information shown in paragraphs S4.3 (a) through (g) of this standard. 

On at least one sidewall, the information shall be positioned in an area 

between the maximum section width and bead of the tire, unless the 

maximum section width of the tire falls between the bead and one-fourth 

of the distance from the bead to the shoulder of the tire. For tires 

where the maximum section width falls in that area, locate all required 

labeling between the bead and a point one-half the distance from the 

bead to the shoulder of the tire. However, in no case shall the 

information be positioned on the tire so that it is obstructed by the 

flange or any rim designated for use with that tire in Standards Nos. 

109 and 110 (Sec. 571.109 and Sec. 571.110 of this part).

    (a) One size designation, except that equivalent inch and metric 

size designations may be used;

    (b) Maximum permissible inflation pressure;

    (c) Maximum load rating;

    (d) The generic name of each cord material used in the plies (both 

sidewall and tread area) of the tire;

    (e) Actual number of plies in the sidewall, and the actual number of 

plies in the tread area if different;

    (f) The words ``tubeless'' or ``tube type'' as applicable; and

    (g) The word ``radial'' if the tire is a radial ply tire.

    S4.3.1 Each tire shall be labeled with the symbol DOT in the manner 

specified in part 574 of this chapter, which shall constitute a 

certification that the tire conforms to applicable Federal motor vehicle 

safety standards.

    S4.3.2 Each tire shall be labeled with the name of the manufacturer, 

or brand name and number assigned to the manufacturer in the manner 

specified in part 574.

    S4.3.3 [Reserved]

    S4.3.4 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 S4.3(b) 

shall be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent inflation pressure in 

psi, rounded to the next higher whole number; and

    (b) Each marking of the tire's maximum load rating pursuant to 

S4.3(c) in kilograms shall be followed in parenthesis by the equivalent 

load rating in pounds, rounded to the nearest whole number.

    S4.3.5 If the maximum inflation pressure of a tire is 420 kPa (60 

psi), the tire shall have permanently molded into or onto both 

sidewalls, in letters and numerals not less than 12.7 mm (\1/2\ inch), 

the words ``Inflate to 420 kPa (60 psi)''. On both sidewalls, the words 

shall be positioned in an area between the tire shoulder and the bead of 

the tire. However, in no case shall the



[[Page 367]]



words be positioned on the tire so that they are 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).

    S4.4 Tire and rim matching information.

    S4.4.1 Each manufacturer of tires not certified to comply with S4 of 

Sec. 571.139 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 paragraph (a) of S4.4.1 of this standard 

need not include dimensional specifications or diagram of a rim if the 

rim's dimensional specifications and diagram are contained in each 

listing published in accordance with paragraph (b) of S4.4.1 of this 

standard. The listing shall 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 the 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:



The Tire and Rim Association

The European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation

Japan Automobile Tire Manufacturers' Association, Inc.

Deutsche Industrie Norm

British Standards Institution

Scandinavian Tire and Rim Organization

The Tyre and Rim Association of Australia



    S4.4.2 Information contained in any publication specified in 

S4.4.1(b) of this standard which lists general categories of tires and 

rims by size designation, type of construction and/or intended use, 

shall be considered to be manufacturer's information pursuant to S4.4.1 

of this standard for the listed tires and rims, unless the publication 

itself or specific information provided according to S4.4.1(a) of this 

standard indicates otherwise.

    S5. Test procedures.

    S5.1 Physical Dimensions. Determine tire physical dimensions under 

uniform ambient conditions as follows:

    (a) Mount the tire on a test rim having the test rim width specified 

in a submission made by an individual manufacturer, pursuant to 

S4.4.1(a), or in one of the publications described in S4.4.1(b) for that 

tire size designation and inflate it to the applicable pressure 

specified in Table II.

    (b) Condition it at ambient room temperature for at least 24 hours.

    (c) Readjust pressure to that specified in (a).

    (d) Caliper the section width and overall width at six points 

approximately equally spaced around the tire circumference.

    (e) Record the average of these measurements as the section width 

and overall width, respectively.

    (f) Determine tire outer diameter by measuring the maximum 

circumference of the tire and dividing this dimension by pi (3.14).

    S5.2 Tubeless tire bead unseating resistance.

    S5.2.1 Preparation of tire-wheel assembly.

    S5.2.1.1 Wash the tire, dry it at the beads, and mount it without 

lubrication or adhesives on a clean, painted test rim.

    S5.2.1.2 Inflate it to the applicable pressure specified in Table II 

at ambient room temperature.

    S5.2.1.3 Mount the wheel and tire in a fixture shown in Figure 1, 

and force the bead unseating block shown in Figure 2 or Figure 2A 

against the tire sidewall as required by the geometry of the fixture. 

However, in testing a tire that has an inflation pressure of 60 psi, 

only use the bead unseating block described in Figure 2A.

    S5.2.2 Test procedure.

    S5.2.2.1 Apply a load through the block to the tire's outer sidewall 

at the distance specified in Figure 1 for the applicable wheel size at a 

rate of 50 mm (2 inches) per minute, with the load arm substantially 

parallel to the tire and rim assembly at the time of engagement.

    S5.2.2.2 Increase the load until the bead unseats or the applicable 

value specified in S4.2.2.3 is reached.

    S5.2.2.3 Repeat the test at least four places equally spaced around 

the tire circumference.

    S5.3 Tire strength.



[[Page 368]]



    S5.3.1 Preparation of tire.

    S5.3.1.1 Mount the tire on a test rim and inflate it to the 

applicable pressure specified in Table II.

    S5.3.1.2 Condition it at room temperature for at least 3 hours; and

    S5.3.1.3 Readjust its pressure to that specified in S5.3.1.1.

    S5.3.2 Test procedure.

    S5.3.2.1 Force a 19 mm (\3/4\ inch) diameter cylindrical steel 

plunger with a hemispherical end perpendicularly into the tread rib as 

near to the centerline as possible, avoiding penetration into the tread 

groove, at the rate of 50 mm (2 inches) per minute.

    S5.3.2.2 Record the force and penetration at five test points 

equally spaced around the circumference of the tire. If the tire fails 

to break before the plunger is stopped by reaching the rim, record the 

force and penetration as the rim is reached and use these values in 

S5.3.2.3.

    S5.3.2.3 Compute the breaking energy for each test point by means of 

one of the two following formulas:



W=[(FxP)/2]x10x3 (joules)





Where



W=Energy, in joules;

F=Force, Newtons; and

P=Penetration, mm; or



W=[(FxP)/2]





Where



W=Energy, inch-pounds;

F=Force, pounds; and

P=Penetration, inches.



    S5.3.2.4 Determine the breaking energy value for the tire by 

computing the average of the five values obtained in accordance with 

S5.3.2.3.

    S5.4 Tire endurance.

    S5.4.1 Preparation of tire.

    S5.4.1.1 Mount a new tire on a test rim and inflate it to the 

applicable pressure specified in Table II.

    S5.4.1.2 Condition the tire assembly to 38[deg] 3 [deg]C (100[deg] 5 [deg]F) for 

at least three hours.

    S5.4.1.3 Readjust tire pressure to that specified in S5.4.1.1 

immediately before testing.

    S5.4.2 Test procedure.

    S5.4.2.1 Mount the tire and wheel assembly on a test axle and press 

it against a flat-faced steel test wheel 1708 mm (67.23 inches) in 

diameter and at least as wide as the section width of the tire to be 

tested or an approved equivalent test wheel, with the applicable test 

load specified in the table in S5.4.2.3 for the tire's size designation, 

type and maximum permissible inflation pressure.

    S5.4.2.2 During the test, the air surrounding the test area shall be 

38[deg] 3 [deg]C (100[deg] 5 

[deg]F).

    S5.4.2.3 Conduct the test at 80 kilometers per hour (km/h)(50 miles 

per hour) in accordance with the following schedule without pressure 

adjustment or other interruptions:

    The loads for the following periods are the specified percentage of 

the maximum load rating marked on the tire sidewall:



------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 Percent

------------------------------------------------------------------------

4 hours.......................................................        85

6 hours.......................................................        90

24 hours......................................................       100

------------------------------------------------------------------------



    S5.4.2.4 Immediately after running the tire the required time, 

measure its inflation pressure. Allow the tire to cool for one hour. 

Then deflate the tire, remove it from the test rim, and inspect it for 

the conditions specified in S4.2.2.5(a).

    S5.5 High speed performance.

    S5.5.1 After preparing the tire in accordance with S5.4.1, mount the 

tire and wheel assembly in accordance with S5.4.2.1, and press it 

against the test wheel with a load of 88 percent of the tire's maximum 

load rating as marked on the tire sidewall.

    S5.5.2 Break in the tire by running it for 2 hours at 80 km/h (50 

mph).

    S5.5.3 Allow to cool to 38[deg] 3 [deg]C 

(100[deg] 5 [deg]F) and readjust the inflation 

pressure to the applicable pressure specified in Table II.

    S5.5.4 Without readjusting inflation pressure, test at 121 km/h (75 

mph) for 30 minutes, 129 km/h (80 mph) for 30 minutes, and 137 km/h (85 

mph) for 30 minutes.

    S5.5.5 Immediately after running the tire the required time, measure 

its inflation pressure. Allow the tire to cool for one hour. Then 

deflate the tire, remove it from the test rim, and inspect it for the 

conditions specified in S4.2.2.5(a).



[[Page 369]]



    S6. Nonconforming tires. No tire that is designed for use on 

passenger cars and manufactured on or after October 1, 1972, but does 

not conform to all the requirements of this standard, shall be sold, 

offered for sale, introduced or delivered for introduction into 

interstate commerce, or imported into the United States, for any 

purpose.

[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27MY98.013





                                            Figures for Standard 109

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                               Dimension ``A'' for tires with maximum inflation pressure

                                     ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

             Wheel sizes                                        Other than

                                         Other than 60 psi       420 kPa             60 psi            420 kPa

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

19..................................  13.00 in...............          330  12.00 in...............          305

18..................................  12.50 in...............          318  11.40 in...............          290

17..................................  12.00 in...............          305  10.60 in...............          269

16..................................  11.50 in...............          292  9.90 in................          251

15..................................  11.00 in...............          279  9.40 in................          239

14..................................  10.50 in...............          267  8.90 in................          226

13..................................  10.00 in...............          254  8.40 in................          213

12..................................  9.50 in................          241  .......................  ...........

11..................................  9.00 in................          229  .......................  ...........

10..................................  8.50 in................          216  .......................  ...........

320.................................  8.50 in................          216  .......................  ...........

340.................................  9.00 in................          229  .......................  ...........

345.................................  9.25 in................          235  .......................  ...........

365.................................  9.75 in................          248  .......................  ...........

370.................................  10.00 in...............          254  .......................  ...........

390.................................  11.00 in...............          279  .......................  ...........

415.................................  11.50 in...............          292  .......................  ...........

4001................................  10.25 in...............          260  .......................  ...........

4251................................  10.75 in...............          273  .......................  ...........

4501................................  11.25 in...............          286  .......................  ...........



[[Page 370]]





4751................................  11.75 in...............          298  .......................  ...........

5001................................  12.25 in...............          311

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1 For CT Tires only.



[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27MY98.014





[[Page 371]]



[GRAPHIC] [TIFF OMITTED] TR27MY98.015



        Appendix A--Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 109



    The following tables list tire sizes and tire constructions with 

proper load and inflation values. The tables group tires of related 

constructions and load/inflation values. Persons requesting the addition 

of new tire sizes to the tables or the addition of tables for new tire 

constructions may, when the additions requested are compatible with 

existent groupings, or when adequate justification for new tables 

exists, submit five (5) copies of information and data supporting the 

request to



[[Page 372]]



the Vehicle Dynamics Division, Office of Crash Avoidance Standards, 

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 400 Seventh Street SW., 

Washington, DC 20590.

    The information should contain the following:

    1. The tire size designation, and a statement either that the tire 

is an addition to a category of tires listed in the tables or that it is 

in a new category for which a table has not been deloped.

    2. The tire dimensions, including aspect ratio, size factor, section 

width, overall width, and test rim size.

    3. The load-inflation schedule of the tire.

    4. A statement as to whether the tire size designation and load 

inflation schedule has been coordinated with the Tire and Rim 

Association, the European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation, the Japan 

Automobile Tire Manufacturers' Association, Inc., the Deutsche Industrie 

Norm, the British Standards Institution, the Scandinavian Tire and Rim 

Organization, and the Tyre and Rim Association of Australia.

    5. Copies of test data sheets showing test conditions, results and 

conclusions obtained for individual tests specified in Sec. 571.109.

    6. Justification for the additional tire sizes.



                               Table I-A--For Bias Ply Tires With Designated Section Width of 152 mm (6 Inches) and Above

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Cord material                             32 psi       36 psi       40 psi      240 kPa      280 kPa      300 kPa      340 kPa

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rayon:

    (in-lbs).................................................        1,650        2,574        3,300        1,650        3,300        1,650        3,300

    (joules).................................................          186          291          373          186          373          186          373

Nylon or polyester:

    (in-lbs).................................................        2,600        3,900        5,200        2,600        5,200        2,600        5,200

    (joules).................................................          294          441          588          294          588          294          588

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                   Table I-B--For Bias Ply Tires With Designated Section Width Below 152 mm (6 Inches)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                        Cord material                             32 psi       36 psi       40 psi      240 kPa      280 kPa      300 kPa      340 kPA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rayon:

    (in-lbs).................................................        1,000        1,875        2,500        1,000        2,500        1,000        2,500

    (joules).................................................          113          212          282          113          282          113          282

Nylon or polyester:

    (in-lbs).................................................        1,950        2,925        3,900        1,950        3,900        1,950        3,900

    (joules).................................................          220          330          441          220          441          220          441

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                                             Table I-C--For Radial Ply Tires

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                           Maximum permissible inflation

                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                             Tires other than CT tires                               CT tires

                    Size designation                     -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                    psi                             kPa                                 kPa

                                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                            32      36      40      240     280     300     340     350     290     330     350     390

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Below 160 mm:

    (in-lbs)............................................   1,950   2,925   3,900   1,950   3,900   1,950   3,900   1,950   1,950   3,900   1,950   3,900

    (joules)............................................     220     330     441     220     441     220     441     220     220     441     220     441

160 mm or above:

    (in-lbs)............................................   2,600   3,900   5,200   2,600   5,200   2,600   5,200   2,600   2,600   5,200   2,600   5,200

    (joules)............................................     294     441     588     294     588     294     588     294     294     588     294     588

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





Table I-D--For Tires With 420 kPa (60 psi) Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure and Maximum Load Rating 399 kg

                                               (880 lb) and Above

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Cord material                                       Inch-pounds joules (J)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rayon.................................................  1,650 inch pounds 186 joules (J).

Nylon or Polyester....................................  2,600 inch pounds 294 joules (J).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





 Table I-E--For Tires With 420 kPa (60 psi) Maximum Permissible Inflation Pressure and Maximum Load Rating Below

                                                 399 kg (880 lb)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                     Cord material                                       Inch-pounds joules (J)

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Rayon.................................................  1,000 inch pounds 113 joules (J).



[[Page 373]]





Nylon or Polyester....................................  1,950 inch pounds 220 joules (J).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





                                                           Table II--Test Inflation Pressures

                                       [Maximum permissible inflation pressure to be used for the following test]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                                 Tires other than CT tires                             CT tires

                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                          Test type                                        psi                            kPa                             kPa

                                                              ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

                                                                 32     36     40     60    240    280    300    340    350    290    300    350    390

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Physical dimensions, bead unseating, tire strength, and tire      24     28     32     52    180    220    180    220    180    230    270    230    270

 endurance...................................................

High speed performance.......................................     30     34     38     58    220    260    220    260    220    270    310    270    310

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------





[38 FR 30235, Nov. 1, 1973]



    Editorial Note: For Federal Register citations affecting Sec. 

571.109, see the List of CFR Sections Affected, which appears in the 

Finding Aids section of the printed volume and on GPO Access.



    Effective Date Note: At 68 FR 38147, June 26, 2003, Sec. 571.109 

was amended by revising the heading and S2, effective June 1, 2007. For 

the convenience of the user, the revised and added text is set forth as 

follows:



Sec. 571.109  Standard No. 109--New Pneumatic Bias Ply and Certain 

          Specialty Tires.



                                * * * * *



    S2. Application. This standard applies to new pneumatic radial tires 

for use on passenger cars manufactured before 1975, new pneumatic bias 

ply tires, and ST, FI, and 8-12 rim diameter and below tires for use on 

passenger cars manufactured after 1948. However, it does not apply to 

any tire that has been so altered so as to render impossible its use, or 

its repair for use, as motor vehicle equipment.



                                * * * * *