Michigan AG Cox Warns Consumers of Potentially Dangerous Tires

August 3, 2007 -- LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox is warning consumers about potentially dangerous tires distributed by Foreign Tires Sales (FTS). The company filed a Non-Compliance Report with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) claiming that at least 270,000 tires are missing "gum strips," an important part of a tire related to the prevention of tread separation.

An estimated 1,500 of the potentially unsafe tires are believe to have been sold in Michigan.

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"I urge consumers to have their tires inspected by a professional to make sure they are not at risk of driving on possibly dangerous tires," Cox said. "Unsafe tires put everyone on the road at risk."

The tires were manufactured between 2002 and 2006 for light trucks, sport utility vehicles and vans. The tires identified by FTS were made in China by Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Co. Ltd. (HZ) and distributed in the United State under the names Compass, Westlake and YKS.

If the DOT number contains "FTS" and starts with "7D" the tire may be subject to a future recall (see attached diagram for location of DOT number). Affected tires will also contain a tire size starting with "LT." Specific tire sizes and models affected by this inquiry are as follows:

Width & Aspect Ratio Models (sometimes found near the DOT code in small print)

LT235/75R-15 CR861 or CR857

LT245/75R-16 CR860 or CR861 or CR857

LT225/75R-16 CR 861

LT265/75R-16 CR860 or CR861 or CR857

LT235/85R-16 CR 860 or CR861 or CF857

LT310X10.5R-15 CR861 or CR85

If a consumer has any of the tires listed above, they should immediately contact the dealer where they bought the tires, or a dealer nearby, and ask the dealer to inspect the tires. In the interest of public safety, the AG's office is asking tire dealers not to charge for such an inspection. If the tires are determined to be unsafe a consumer should take the following steps:

* Replace the tires, since tread separation can cause cars to lose control, especially at high speeds.
* Report the problem to Foreign Tire Sales by visiting www.foreigntire.com.
* Save the receipt if you purchase new tires (if a recall is announced the receipt can be used for possible reimbursement).
* Consumers may also file a complaint with the Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division by calling 1-877-765-8388 or visiting www.michigan.gov/ag.
* If a consumer has been in an accident and believes it is the result of a defective tire, consumers should file a complaint with the NHTSA by calling 1-888-327-4236 or visiting their website at www.nhtsa.gov.

Consumers can find more information on the tire recall and register their tires by visiting www.foreigntire.com.

As part of general tire safety, Attorney General Cox reminds consumers to keep the following tips in mind:

* At least once a month and before every long trip, inspect tires for patterns of uneven wear. Check tire inflation pressure in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
* Do not overload your vehicle. Excess weight can place extra stress on your tires. Check your vehicle owner's manual for the maximum amount of weight your vehicle can safely carry
* Be aware of how the outside temperature affects your tires. Hot weather can be especially hard on tires, causing them to expand. As the outside temperature drops 10 degrees, tire pressure drops about one or two pounds per square inch.
* Keep your vehicle properly maintained. Rotate tires regularly, get wheels balanced, and get a front-end alignment as necessary.
* Use the proper tires for your vehicle. Check the vehicle manufacturer's recommendations before replacing a tire with a different size and/or construction.
* Have any tire problems checked out by professionals. If you find that one of your tires is losing pressure, take it to a tire expert for a complete internal inspection.
* Be careful of buying used tires. Check used tire numbers and do not buy any that are part of a recall. If you are sold tires that were subject to a recall and not informed of this before your purchase, consumers should contact the Attorney General's office at 1-877-765-8388.

Source: Michigan Attorney General