Calif. Tire Age Bill Moves Forward - Tire Review Magazine

Calif. Tire Age Bill Moves Forward

The state of California moved one step closer to a law that would require tire retailers to inform customers of the exact age of the tires they purchase.

Earlier this week, the bill passed the California Assembly and has been moved on for consideration by the sate senate.

The RMA, which has failed to address the tire aging question on a national scale, called the California bill “inconsistent, contradictory and fear-mongering that would only serve to increase lawsuit opportunities for the bill’s primary supporters – trial lawyers.”

The California bill – AB 496 – is being sponsored by Sean Kane, head of plaintiff attorney supporter Safety Research & Strategies Inc.

The bill would require tire retailers to provide a written verification of the age of the tires being sold. Violators would face a fine of $250 for each incident, and consumers who do not receive such tire age information would be allowed to pursue civil action.

Exempt from the proposed law, though, are car dealers selling replacement tires, as well as tires on new or used vehicles sold to consumers.

“Proponents of this bill use fear-mongering to allege that tires reaching a certain chronological age are dangerous,” said Dan Zielinski, RMA senior vice president of public affairs. “But the bill is inconsistent in its application. Any consumer who buys tires or a vehicle in a private transaction, or who buys a new or used vehicle from a dealer or who buys replacement tires from an auto dealer would not receive a notification under this proposal. These exemptions make the measure contradictory on its face and are implicit acknowledgement that chronological tire age alone is not a hazard.”
 
RMA also said that the measure’s notification provisions are confusing and likely to result in second-guessing by trial lawyers.
 
“Providing a simple, understandable notification to consumers about a tire’s date of manufacture is reasonable,” Zielinski said. “But the bill provides several options that would likely lead to trial lawyers’ accusations that a dealer didn’t provide the most appropriate notification. This would force nearly all notifications to be given prior to the point of sale which will result in needless service delays.”

The RMA’s statement also said, “Although several auto and tire manufacturers have issued recommendations for tire replacement after a number of years, none are derived from technical data that suggests a tire would not perform after such time. Allegations that there is a correlation between tire performance and chronological tire age are unfounded and unsupported by data. No auto industry, tire industry or NHTSA data has determined that a tire cannot perform when it reaches a particular chronological age.” (Tire Review/Akron)
 

You May Also Like

Maxxis-sponsored athletes make podium, overall top 10 at Mint 400

Maxxis athletes Michael McFayden, Ethan Ebert and Trey Gibbs had podium finishes at the Mint 400 on Maxxis RAZR XT tires.

2024-mint400-maxxis

Maxxis sponsored athletes Michael McFayden and Ethan Ebert finished the Mint 400 on the podium and Trey Gibbs turned in a fourth place performance in his class and seventh overall. The Minto 400 is coined “The Great American Off-Road Race.”

McFayden was second in UTV Pro NA, finishing the four-lap race in nine hours, 24 minutes and 38 seconds. He drove his Honda Talon on Maxxis RAZR XT tires. Ebert finished with a third-place spot on the 2WD podium and 13th overall, with a final time of seven hours, 41 minutes and 46 seconds. His Honda Ridgeline was outfitted with the same RAZR MT tires. Also riding RAZR MTs, Gibbs cracked the overall top 10 in seventh place and was fourth in Unlimited Spec after finishing in seven hours, 17 minutes and 46 seconds.

Sun Auto Tire reveals winner of Ford Bronco Sport giveaway

Lowell Anderson entered the giveaway at his local Sun Auto Tire & Service store while receiving a routine oil change.

Sun-Auto-Bronco-giveaway
Nokian Tyres holds bracket challenge on worst roads in North America

In 2023, the tiremaker’s audience voted Quebec as the province or state with the worst road conditions on the continent.

Pothole-Protection-from-Nokian-Tyres
Gallery: 2024 Big O Tires conference and convention

Highlights from this year’s Big O Tires conference and convention, featuring a general session, trade show and breakout sessions.

Gary-Skidmore
Bridgestone’s Firestone Liberia rubber farm receives ISCC Plus recognition

According to Bridgestone, its Liberia facility earned the ISCC Plus certification for its efforts in reducing environmental impacts.

Firestone_Liberia

Other Posts

Ascenso Tires adds new OEM sales manager

Ascenso said Douglas Duesing has more than ten years of experience working in agriculture, construction and mining OEMs.

Ascenso-Douglas-Duesing-1400
Nexen Tire Motorsports drivers earn top placements at King of the Hammers

Nexen Tire Motorsports partnered with drivers across a variety of racing series both on- and off-road, including King of the Hammers.

Nexen-KOH
BKT to showcase its EarthMax tire range at AGG1 Academy & Expo

At booth 353, BKT said it is going to display its flagships for the OTR world, namely three all-steel radial tires from the EarthMax range.

BKT-AGG1-expo-1400
Yokohama to sponsor the Bass Pro Shops Bassmaster Classic Tailgate

The event, part of the Bassmaster Classic Expo, is March 21-24 in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma and Grand Lake.

Bass-stock-photo