The U.S. Department of Transportation has proposed a new replacement tire label that would include, for the first time, information about the tire's impact on fuel economy and carbon dioxide emission reductions.
The proposal, which was put forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), also would provide customers "with two other key pieces of tire performance information: wet weather traction and tread wear," according to NHTSA officials.
All three ratings would be displayed on a removable label attached to the replacement tire at the point of sale.
The new ratings also will appear on the federal government's www.safercar.gov Web site to help consumers compare ratings as they shop for tires.
"Today's proposal takes the guess work out of buying the best tires for your vehicle," says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "Our proposal would let customers look at a single label and compare a tire's overall performance as it relates to fuel economy, safety and durability."
