Foreign Tire Sales will recall truck tires

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is requiring Foreign Tire Sales Inc. to recall 2,659 truck tires because of inaccurate load and inflation information on the tires.

Foreign Tire Sales (FTS) had petitioned the Department of Transportation and NHTSA to declare the noncompliance inconsequential because it believes the difference between the proper load ranges and inflation pressures is minimal. FTS based its conclusion on its testing of the subject tires using the inaccurate information noted on its tires. It asserted that the tires ‘‘greatly exceed all FMVSS testing result requirements.’’

The tires is question are ProMeter radial steer and drive tires, sizes 14-ply 285/75R24.5 and 295/75R22.5, manufactured between the 15th week of 2008 and 22nd week of 2009. They were manufactured by Shandlong Linglong Rubber Co. Ltd.

The DOT numbers are as follows:

* 285/75R24.5 -- OU4CFTS1508–0U4CFT2209;

* 295/75R22.5 -- OU34FTS1508–0U34FTS2209.

NHTSA did not agree with FTS that the noncompliance of the subject tires was inconsequential to motor vehicle safety.

"The agency does not consider the difference between the marked load ranges and inflation pressures of the subject tires as compared to the proper marking of load ranges and inflation pressures to be minimal. For example, due to the improper tire marking, the maximum load rating (single) for the subject 285/75R24.5/14 tires is overrated by 435 lbs., and the maximum load rating (dual) for the subject 295/75R22.5/14 tires is over-rated by 165 lbs."

NHTSA said FTS must must notify owners, purchasers and dealers pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 30118 and provide a remedy in accordance with 49 U.S.C. 30120. (FTS said it sold these tires to 11 tire distributors.)