CARB tyre pressure rule goes into effect

ERJ staff report (TB)

Sacremento, California -- The California Office of Administrative Law (OAL) has officially approved the tyre pressure regulation promulgated by California´s Air Resources Board (CARB) and the rule took effect Sept. 1 as planned.

The regulation requires automotive service providers to check and inflate to the recommended pressure the tyres on every vehicle they repair or service. They must also indicate on the service invoice that tyre inflation was performed.

Auto service providers must use gauges accurate within two pounds per square inch when checking tyre pressures, and must keep copies of all invoices indicating that tyre inflation was performed. They need not perform the tyre checks, however, if the vehicle is heavier than 10,000 pounds; if they determine the tyres to be unsafe; or if the customer declines the service.

CARB originally planned to issue the final rule July 1, but OAL rejected the standard in March, saying it did not meet the state's guidelines for clarity and necessity. OAL later approved a resubmitted rule.

Auto body and paint facilities, auto glass installers, auto parts distributors and retailers, and auto wreckers and dismantlers are exempt from the rule, the regulation states.

CARB is now finalising a guidance document on the tyre pressure regulation for public review, according to the Automotive Maintenance and Repair Association/Motorist Assurance Program (AMRA/MAP), which has issued copies of the final regulation via e-mail, along with a press release.

For further information about the rule or questions about compliance, call Theresa Anderson of CARB at 916-445-2159 or tmanders@arb.ca.gov, or Jessica Johnston of CARB at 916-327-5609 or jjohnsto@arb.ca.gov.

From Tire Business (A Crain publication)