Rolling resistance not important for US tyre buyers, says TIA

During a workshop organised by US body the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration on 3 February, the Tire Industry Association voiced its significant reservations towards the establishment of a tyre label in the US – because statistics show a key quality to be measured is unimportant for consumers.

The purpose of the NHTSA Tire Fuel Efficiency Workshop was to collect information regarding the new tyre rating system on rolling resistance that is required by the federal Energy Independence and Security Act (EISA) of 2007. Part of the Act is the establishment of a ‘Tire Fuel Efficiency Consumer Information Program’, the goals of which are to increase fuel efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase America’s energy independence. Introducing a point of sale label is one of the proposed methods of encouraging this.

Kevin Rohlwing, TIA senior vice-president of training, testified at the workshop, and the TIA said the presentation made there supports the position of the Rubber Manufacturers Association. While the TIA noted a system of measurement for rolling resistance is important to tyre companies, the association says it remains strongly opposed to implementing new tyre labels as the primary mechanism for the national consumer education campaign. Rohlwing also took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of educating retailers, the primary source of tyre information for the average motorist, on the new rating system. The TIA stressed that any new system must be simple and easy to explain, unlike the Uniform Tire Quality Grading System (a comparison of tyre tread wear, traction and performance), which it described as “confusing”.

Rohlwing testified that “proper tyre inflation, rotation, alignment, and maintenance are still the most effective and proven methods for improving tyre fuel efficiency.” He stressed that the NHTSA’s own research indicates rolling resistance is not an important factor for tyre buyers and will not have a major effect on fuel consumption in the United States.

“TIA has the experience as well as the network in place to ensure that retailers are properly educated,” commented association president Larry Brandt. He added that “tyre dealers are the natural ‘trusted adviser’ of the general public when it comes to gathering information when purchasing tyres.”