Lobbyists Are Everywhere

ABC’s 20/20 on its May 9, 2008 edition had a piece on the lack of information about auto tire aging। The gist of the piece was that tires over six years old should be discarded। Car manufacturers recommend this procedure but tires manufacturers were represnted by a spokesman who insisted that there is no evidence to support that idea. Even when confronted with the fact that the British tire manufacturers have established that standard he stood by his position.

Brian Ross, the ABC reporter, informed viewers that American tire manufacturers have prevented aging information from becoming public or passing laws to protect the public through the use of lobbyists. Consumer Reports web site advises that Strategic Safety LLC, a safety research firm, submitted comments to NHTSA in September 2003, saying it has identified 20 cases in which tires six or more years old failed, resulting in nine deaths. NHTSA says it is still working on a proposal but why? Are the lobbyists preventing new regulations? Apparently Brian Ross would say yes.

In most cases, a visual inspection or check of tread depth will not reveal the problem, the experts say.

The Ford Motor Company has urged the federal government to adopt a six-year expiration date, citing "comprehensive research" and "defendable data driven by analysis."

Ford, BMW, Chrysler, Toyota and VW/Audi now carry warnings about aged tires in manuals given to car owners. Even some tire companies have begun to issue warnings. Bridgestone/Firestone, Michelin and Continental now recommend that tires older than 10 years should not be used, even if they appear safe by visual inspection.
I will be checking my new Toyota tires in the morning. The 2001 Nissan has its original tires. I will be replacing all four tires.