California Will Require Vehicle Service Providers To Check Tire Pressure

California Will Require Vehicle Service Providers To Check Tire Pressure

File this one under "think global and act local" - with a duplicate copy under "is this really necessary?"

On March 26, the California Air Resources Board voted to require the state's 40,000 automotive services suppliers to check the tire pressure of every vehicle serviced.

CARB's rationale for the new rule that will take effect in 2010 is to improve fuel efficiency and reduce tailpipe emissions. The rule is designed to eliminate 700,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing statewide annual fuel consumption by 75 million gallons. (Californians consume about 15 billion gallons of fuel per year.)

CARB estimates that 38% of vehicles on California roads have "severely under-inflated" tires, which the board defines as at least six pounds under manufacturers' tire inflation recommendations.

"Checking tire pressure is one of the many simple things that we can all do to reduce our impact on the environment," board member Barbara Riordan said after last week's vote. "While we should do this monthly, this measure makes it convenient and regular."

The rule is part of the board's response to the Global Warming Solutions Act that Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law in 2006. It requires the board to draft and implement regulations that will reduce California's greenhouse gas contributions.

But at least one automotive trade associations complained during public hearings that the rule puts its members between a rock and a hard place.

The California New Car Dealers Assn. complained that the rule would force members to disregard an existing state regulation that requires mechanics to get customer approval prior to initiating any work.

What happens, the association asked, when a motorist drops off her car to have the transmission inspected? The repair shop has two choices: "satisfy the requirements of the proposed regulation and violate existing automotive repair law (by checking and inflating the tires without the customer's specific request), or fail to comply with the proposed regulation and satisfy both the customer and existing law."

The Rubber Manufacturers Assn. (which represents the major tire manufacturers) supported the rule, but suggested some fine-tuning on such issues as dealing with pressure differences when tires are hot or cold, whether nitrogren-filled tires should have been exempted from the mandate and whether spare tires must be checked.

But Modern Tire Dealer magazine quotes Paul Fiore, director of government and business relations for the Tire Industry Association, as calling the rule "overreaching and burdensome." The magazine also quotes Fiore as describing the regulation is "a gift to the trial lawyers."

On that last point, existing state law already allows trial lawyers to go after service providers who send motorists out onto the road in unsafe vehicles.

From our vantage point it's hard to argue with the regulation's intent. Properly inflated tires should last longer, provide a safer ride and improve fuel efficiency - which reduces tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases.

It seems like a simple, common-sense idea that would fit into the courtesy checks many gas stations, repair shops and dealership provide when a car is in for service.

But you can't get something for nothing. CARB estimates that the rule will save the average California motorist $12 per year in fuel savings and improved tire wear. But the board also says that the rule will add about $4 to the cost of a vehicle checkup.

Proponents undoubtedly will applaud CARB's action as appropriate, while opponents will chalk it up to yet another example of big government overreaching.

Speaking of overreach - the report providing the rationale for this new law is 101 pages long!

Greg Johnson, Contributor

Greg Johnson: