A4 - Fmvss 138

Attachment A4 FMVSS 138

§ 571.138

49 CFR Ch. V (10–1–11 Edition)

inch) of shoe or pad mounting surface
on bonded linings or (3) the limit recommended
by
the
manufacturer,
whichever is larger relative to the
total possible shoe or pad movement.
Drums or rotors are assumed to be at
nominal design drum diameter or rotor
thickness. Linings are assumed adjusted for normal operating clearance
in the released position.
(d) The brake system indicators, for
compliance with operation in various
key positions, lens color, labeling, and
location, in accordance with S5.5.
[60 FR 6434, Feb. 2, 1995; as amended at 60 FR
37847, July 24, 1995; 60 FR 44548, Aug. 28, 1995;
62 FR 46917, Sept. 5, 1997; 62 FR 51070, Sept.
30, 1997; 65 FR 6332, Feb. 9, 2000; 70 FR 37713,
June 30, 2005]

§ 571.138 Standard No. 138; Tire pressure monitoring systems.
S1 Purpose and scope. This standard
specifies performance requirements for
tire pressure monitoring systems
(TPMSs) to warn drivers of significant
under-inflation of tires and the resulting safety problems.
S2 Application. This standard applies
to passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses that
have a gross vehicle weight rating of
4,536 kilograms (10,000 pounds) or less,
except those vehicles with dual wheels
on an axle, according to the phase-in
schedule specified in S7 of this standard.
S3 Definitions. The following definitions apply to this standard:
Lightly loaded vehicle weight means
unloaded vehicle weight plus the
weight of a mass of 180 kg (396 pounds),
including test driver and instrumentation.
Tire pressure monitoring system means
a system that detects when one or
more of a vehicle’s tires is significantly under-inflated and illuminates a
low tire pressure warning telltale.
Vehicle Placard and Tire inflation pressure label mean the sources of information for the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold tire inflation pressure
pursuant to § 571.110 of this Part.
S4 Requirements.
S4.1 General. To the extent provided
in S7, each vehicle must be equipped
with a tire pressure monitoring system
that meets the requirements specified

in S4 under the test conditions specified in S5 and the test procedures specified in S6 of this standard.
S4.2 TPMS detection requirements.
The tire pressure monitoring system
must:
(a) Illuminate a low tire pressure
warning telltale not more than 20 minutes after the inflation pressure in one
or more of the vehicle’s tires, up to a
total of four tires, is equal to or less
than either the pressure 25 percent
below the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended cold inflation pressure, or
the pressure specified in the 3rd column of Table 1 of this standard for the
corresponding type of tire, whichever is
higher;
(b) Continue to illuminate the low
tire pressure warning telltale as long
as the pressure in any of the vehicle’s
tires is equal to or less than the pressure specified in S4.2(a), and the ignition locking system is in the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position, whether or not the
engine is running, or until manually
reset in accordance with the vehicle
manufacturer’s instructions.
S4.3 Low tire pressure warning telltale.
S4.3.1 Each tire pressure monitoring
system must include a low tire pressure warning telltale that:
(a) Is mounted inside the occupant
compartment in front of and in clear
view of the driver;
(b) Is identified by one of the symbols
shown for the ‘‘Low Tire Pressure’’
Telltale in Table 1 of Standard No. 101
(49 CFR 571.101); and
(c) Is illuminated under the conditions specified in S4.2.
S4.3.2 In the case of a telltale that
identifies which tire(s) is (are) underinflated, each tire in the symbol for
that telltale must illuminate when the
tire it represents is under-inflated to
the extent specified in S4.2.
S4.3.3 (a) Except as provided in
paragraph (b) of this section, each low
tire pressure warning telltale must illuminate as a check of lamp function
either when the ignition locking system is activated to the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’)
position when the engine is not running, or when the ignition locking system is in a position between ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) and ‘‘Start’’ that is designated

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Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin., DOT
by the manufacturer as a check position.
(b) The low tire pressure warning
telltale need not illuminate when a
starter interlock is in operation.
S4.4 TPMS malfunction.
(a) The vehicle shall be equipped with
a tire pressure monitoring system that
includes a telltale that provides a
warning to the driver not more than 20
minutes after the occurrence of a malfunction that affects the generation or
transmission of control or response signals in the vehicle’s tire pressure monitoring system. The vehicle’s TPMS
malfunction indicator shall meet the
requirements of either S4.4(b) or
S4.4(c).
(b) Dedicated TPMS malfunction telltale. The vehicle meets the requirements of S4.4(a) when equipped with a
dedicated TPMS malfunction telltale
that:
(1) Is mounted inside the occupant
compartment in front of and in clear
view of the driver;
(2) Is identified by the word ‘‘TPMS’’
as described under the ‘‘Tire Pressure
Monitoring System Malfunction’’ Telltale in Table 1 of Standard No. 101 (49
CFR 571.101);
(3) Continues to illuminate the TPMS
malfunction telltale under the conditions specified in S4.4(a) for as long as
the malfunction exists, whenever the
ignition locking system is in the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position; and
(4) (i) Except as provided in paragraph (ii), each dedicated TPMS malfunction telltale must be activated as a
check of lamp function either when the
ignition locking system is activated to
the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’) position when the
engine is not running, or when the ignition locking system is in a position
between ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’) and ‘‘Start’’
that is designated by the manufacturer
as a check position.
(ii) The dedicated TPMS malfunction
telltale need not be activated when a
starter interlock is in operation.
(c) Combination low tire pressure/TPMS
malfunction telltale. The vehicle meets
the requirements of S4.4(a) when
equipped with a combined Low Tire
Pressure/TPMS malfunction telltale
that:
(1) Meets the requirements of S4.2
and S4.3; and

§ 571.138
(2) Flashes for a period of at least 60
seconds but no longer than 90 seconds
upon detection of any condition specified in S4.4(a) after the ignition locking system is activated to the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position. After each period of
prescribed flashing, the telltale must
remain continuously illuminated as
long as a malfunction exists and the ignition locking system is in the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position. This flashing and illumination sequence must be repeated
each time the ignition locking system
is placed in the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’) position
until the situation causing the malfunction has been corrected. Multiple
malfunctions occurring during any ignition cycle may, but are not required
to, reinitiate the prescribed flashing
sequence.
S4.5 Written instructions.
(a) Beginning on September 1, 2006,
the owner’s manual in each vehicle certified as complying with S4 must provide an image of the Low Tire Pressure
Telltale symbol (and an image of the
TPMS Malfunction Telltale warning
(‘‘TPMS’’), if a dedicated telltale is utilized for this function) with the following statement in English:
Each tire, including the spare (if provided),
should be checked monthly when cold and inflated to the inflation pressure recommended
by the vehicle manufacturer on the vehicle
placard or tire inflation pressure label. (If
your vehicle has tires of a different size than
the size indicated on the vehicle placard or
tire inflation pressure label, you should determine the proper tire inflation pressure for
those tires.)
As an added safety feature, your vehicle
has been equipped with a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) that illuminates a low
tire pressure telltale when one or more of
your tires is significantly under-inflated. Accordingly, when the low tire pressure telltale
illuminates, you should stop and check your
tires as soon as possible, and inflate them to
the proper pressure. Driving on a significantly under-inflated tire causes the tire to
overheat and can lead to tire failure. Underinflation also reduces fuel efficiency and tire
tread life, and may affect the vehicle’s handling and stopping ability.
Please note that the TPMS is not a substitute for proper tire maintenance, and it is
the driver’s responsibility to maintain correct tire pressure, even if under-inflation has
not reached the level to trigger illumination
of the TPMS low tire pressure telltale.
[The following paragraph is required for all
vehicles certified to the standard starting on

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§ 571.138

49 CFR Ch. V (10–1–11 Edition)

September 1, 2007 and for vehicles voluntarily equipped with a compliant TPMS MIL
before that time.] Your vehicle has also been
equipped with a TPMS malfunction indicator
to indicate when the system is not operating
properly. [For vehicles with a dedicated MIL
telltale, add the following statement: The
TPMS malfunction indicator is provided by a
separate telltale, which displays the symbol
‘‘TPMS’’ when illuminated.] [For vehicles
with a combined low tire pressure/MIL telltale, add the following statement: The TPMS
malfunction indicator is combined with the
low tire pressure telltale. When the system
detects a malfunction, the telltale will flash
for approximately one minute and then remain continuously illuminated. This sequence will continue upon subsequent vehicle start-ups as long as the malfunction exists.] When the malfunction indicator is illuminated, the system may not be able to detect or signal low tire pressure as intended.
TPMS malfunctions may occur for a variety
of reasons, including the installation of replacement or alternate tires or wheels on the
vehicle that prevent the TPMS from functioning properly. Always check the TPMS
malfunction telltale after replacing one or
more tires or wheels on your vehicle to ensure that the replacement or alternate tires
and wheels allow the TPMS to continue to
function properly.

(b) The owner’s manual may include
additional information about the time
for the TPMS telltale(s) to extinguish
once the low tire pressure condition or
the malfunction is corrected. It may
also include additional information
about the significance of the low tire
pressure warning telltale illuminating,
a description of corrective action to be
undertaken, whether the tire pressure
monitoring system functions with the
vehicle’s spare tire (if provided), and
how to use a reset button, if one is provided.
(c) If a vehicle does not come with an
owner’s manual, the required information shall be provided in writing to the
first purchaser of the vehicle.
S5 Test conditions.
S5.1 Ambient temperature. The ambient temperature is between 0 °C (32 °F)
and 40 °C (104 °F).
S5.2 Road test surface. Compliance
testing is conducted on any portion of
the Southern Loop of the Treadwear
Test Course defined in appendix A and
Figure 2 of section 575.104 of this chapter. The road surface is dry during testing.
S5.3 Vehicle conditions.

S5.3.1 Test weight. The vehicle may
be tested at any weight between its
lightly loaded vehicle weight and its
gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)
without exceeding any of its gross axle
weight ratings.
S5.3.2 Vehicle speed. The vehicle’s
TPMS is calibrated and tested at
speeds between 50 km/h (31.1 mph) and
100 km/h (62.2 mph). For vehicles
equipped with cruise control, cruise
control is not to be engaged during
testing.
S5.3.3 Rim position. The vehicle rims
may be positioned at any wheel position, consistent with any related instructions or limitations in the vehicle
owner’s manual.
S5.3.4 Stationary location. The vehicle’s tires are shaded from direct sun
when the vehicle is parked.
S5.3.5 Brake pedal application. Driving time shall not accumulate during
service brake application.
S5.3.6 Range of conditions or test parameters. Whenever a range of conditions or test parameters is specified in
this standard, the vehicle must meet
applicable requirements when tested at
any point within the range.
S5.3.7 Tires. The vehicle is tested
with the tires installed on the vehicle
at the time of initial vehicle sale, excluding the spare tire (if provided).
However, the spare tire may be utilized
for TPMS malfunction testing purposes.
S6 Test procedures.
(a) Inflate the vehicle’s tires to the
cold tire inflation pressure(s) provided
on the vehicle placard or the tire inflation pressure label.
(b) With the vehicle stationary and
the ignition locking system in the
‘‘Lock’’ or ‘‘Off’’ position, activate the
ignition locking system to the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position or, where applicable,
the appropriate position for the lamp
check. The tire pressure monitoring
system must perform a check of lamp
function for the low tire pressure telltale as specified in paragraph S4.3.3 of
this standard. If the vehicle is equipped
with a separate TPMS malfunction
telltale, the tire pressure monitoring
system also must perform a check of
lamp function as specified in paragraph
S4.4(b)(4) of this standard.

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Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin., DOT
(c) If applicable, set or reset the tire
pressure monitoring system in accordance with the instructions in the vehicle owner’s manual.
(d) System calibration/learning phase.
(1) Drive the vehicle for up to 15 minutes of cumulative time (not necessarily continuously) along any portion of the test course.
(2) Reverse direction on the course
and drive the vehicle for an additional
period of time for a total cumulative
time of 20 minutes (including the time
in S6(d)(1), and not necessarily continuously).
(e) Stop the vehicle and deflate any
combination of one to four tires until
the deflated tire(s) is (are) at 7 kPa (1
psi) below the inflation pressure at
which the tire pressure monitoring system is required to illuminate the low
tire pressure warning telltale.
(f) System detection phase.
(1) Within 5 minutes of reducing the
inflation pressure in the tire(s), drive
the vehicle for up to 10–15 minutes of
cumulative time (not necessarily continuously) along any portion of the
test course.
(2) Reverse direction on the course
and drive the vehicle for an additional
period of time for a total cumulative
time of 20 minutes (including the time
in S6(f)(1), and not necessarily continuously).
(3) The sum of the total cumulative
drive time under paragraphs S6(f)(1)
and (2) shall be the lesser of 20 minutes
or the time at which the low tire pressure telltale illuminates.
(4) If the low tire pressure telltale did
not illuminate, discontinue the test.
(g) If the low tire pressure telltale illuminated during the procedure in
paragraph S6(f), deactivate the ignition
locking system to the ‘‘Off’’ or ‘‘Lock’’
position. After a 5-minute period, activate the vehicle’s ignition locking system to the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’) position. The
telltale must illuminate and remain illuminated as long as the ignition locking system is in the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’) position.
(h) Keep the vehicle stationary for a
period of up to one hour with the engine off.
(i) Inflate all of the vehicle’s tires to
the same inflation pressure used in
paragraph S6(a). If the vehicle’s tire

§ 571.138
pressure monitoring system has a manual reset feature, reset the system in
accordance with the instructions specified in the vehicle owner’s manual. Determine whether the telltale has extinguished. If necessary, drive the vehicle
until the telltale has been extinguished.
(j) The test may be repeated, using
the test procedures in paragraphs
S6(a)–(b) and S6(d)–(i), with any one,
two, three, or four of the tires on the
vehicle under-inflated.
(k) Simulate one TPMS malfunction
by disconnecting the power source to
any TPMS component, disconnecting
any electrical connection between
TPMS components, or installing a tire
or wheel on the vehicle that is incompatible with the TPMS. When simulating a TPMS malfunction, the electrical connections for the telltale
lamps are not to be disconnected.
(l) TPMS malfunction detection.
(1) Drive the vehicle for up to 15 minutes of cumulative time (not necessarily continuously) along any portion of the test course.
(2) Reverse direction on the course
and drive the vehicle for an additional
period of time for a total cumulative
time of 20 minutes (including the time
in S6(l)(1), and not necessarily continuously).
(3) The sum of the total cumulative
drive time under paragraphs S6(l)(1)
and (2) shall be the lesser of 20 minutes
or the time at which the TPMS malfunction telltale illuminates.
(4) If the TPMS malfunction indicator did not illuminate in accordance
with paragraph S4.4, as required, discontinue the test.
(m) If the TPMS malfunction indicator illuminated during the procedure
in paragraph S6(l), deactivate the ignition locking system to the ‘‘Off’’ or
‘‘Lock’’ position. After a 5-minute period, activate the vehicle’s ignition
locking system to the ‘‘On’’ (‘‘Run’’)
position. The TPMS malfunction indicator must again signal a malfunction
and remain illuminated as long as the
ignition locking system is in the ‘‘On’’
(‘‘Run’’) position.
(n) Restore the TPMS to normal operation. If necessary, drive the vehicle
until the telltale has extinguished.

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§ 571.138

49 CFR Ch. V (10–1–11 Edition)

(o) The test may be repeated using
the test procedures in paragraphs
S6(k)–(n), with each such test limited
to simulation of a single malfunction.
S7 Phase-in schedule.
S7.1 Vehicles manufactured on or after
October 5, 2005, and before September 1,
2006. For vehicles manufactured on or
after October 5, 2005, and before September 1, 2006, the number of vehicles
complying with this standard (except
for the provisions of S4.4 unless the
manufacturer elects to also certify to
those provisions) must not be less than
20 percent of:
(a) The manufacturer’s average annual production of vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2002, and
before October 5, 2005; or
(b) The manufacturer’s production on
or after October 5, 2005, and before September 1, 2006.
S7.2 Vehicles manufactured on or after
September 1, 2006, and before September 1,
2007. For vehicles manufactured on or
after September 1, 2006, and before September 1, 2007, the number of vehicles
complying with this standard (except
for the provisions of S4.4 unless the
manufacturer elects to also certify to
those provisions) must not be less than
70 percent of:
(a) The manufacturer’s average annual production of vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 2003, and
before September 1, 2006; or
(b) The manufacturer’s production on
or after September 1, 2006, and before
September 1, 2007.
S7.3 Vehicles manufactured on or after
September 1, 2007. Except as provided in
S7.7, all vehicles manufactured on or
after September 1, 2007 must comply
with all requirements of this standard.
S7.4 Calculation of complying vehicles.
(a) Carry-Forward Credits. For purposes of complying with S7.1, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it is
certified as complying with this standard and is manufactured on or after
April 8, 2005, but before September 1,
2006.
(b) For purposes of complying with
S7.2, a manufacturer may count a vehicle if it:
(1) (i) Is certified as complying with
this standard and is manufactured on
or after April 8, 2005, but before September 1, 2007; and

(ii) Is not counted toward compliance
with S7.1; or
(2) Is manufactured on or after September 1, 2006, but before September 1,
2007.
(c) Carry-Backward Credits. At the vehicle manufacturer’s option, for purposes of complying with S7.1, a manufacturer may count a vehicle it plans
to manufacture and to certify as complying with this standard that will be
produced on or after September 1, 2006
but before September 1, 2007. However,
a vehicle counted toward compliance
with S7.1 may not be counted toward
compliance with S7.2. If the vehicle
manufacturer decides to exercise the
option for carry-backward credits, the
manufacturer must indicate this in its
report for the production period corresponding to S7.1 filed pursuant to 49
CFR 585.66. The vehicles are counted in
fulfillment of the requirements of S7.1,
subject to actually being produced in
compliance with this standard during
the specified time period and not being
counted toward the requirements of
S7.2.
S7.5 Vehicles produced by more than
one manufacturer.
S7.5.1 For the purpose of calculating
average annual production of vehicles
for each manufacturer and the number
of vehicles manufactured by each manufacturer under S7.1 through S7.3, a vehicle produced by more than one manufacturer must be attributed to a single
manufacturer as follows, subject to
S7.5.2:
(a) A vehicle that is imported must
be attributed to the importer.
(b) A vehicle manufactured in the
United States by more than one manufacturer, one of which also markets the
vehicle, must be attributed to the manufacturer that markets the vehicle.
S7.5.2 A vehicle produced by more
than one manufacturer must be attributed to any one of the vehicle’s manufacturers specified by an express written contract, reported to the National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration
under 49 CFR Part 585, between the
manufacturer so specified and the manufacturer to which the vehicle would
otherwise be attributed under S7.5.1.
S7.6 Small volume manufacturers. Vehicles manufactured by a manufacturer
that produces fewer than 5,000 vehicles

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Nat’l Highway Traffic Safety Admin., DOT
for sale in the United States during the
period of September 1, 2005 to August
31, 2006, or the period from September
1, 2006 to August 31, 2007, are not subject to the corresponding requirements
of S7.1, S7.2, and S7.4.
S7.7 Final-stage manufacturers and
alterers. Vehicles that are manufactured in two or more stages or that are

§ 571.139
altered (within the meaning of 49 CFR
567.7) after having previously been certified in accordance with part 567 of
this chapter are not subject to the requirements of S7.1 through S7.4. Instead, vehicles that are manufactured
in two or more stages or that are altered must comply with this standard
beginning on September 1, 2008.

TABLES TO § 571.138
TABLE 1—LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE—MINIMUM ACTIVATION PRESSURE
Column 2—maximum or
rated inflation pressure

Column 1—tire type

(kPa)
P-metric—Standard Load ......................................................................

P-metric—Extra Load ............................................................................
Load Range C .......................................................................................
Load Range D .......................................................................................
Load Range E .......................................................................................

240,
300, or
350
280 or
340
350
450
550

(psi)

Column 3—minimum
activation pressure
(kPa)

35,
44, or
51
41 or
49
51
65
80

140
140
140
160
160
200
240
240

(psi)
20
20
20
23
23
29
35
35

[70 FR 18187, Apr. 8, 2005, as amended at 70 FR 53100, Sept. 7, 2005; 72 FR 38025, July 12, 2007]

§ 571.139 Standard No. 139; New pneumatic radial tires for light vehicles.
S1. Scope and purpose. This standard
specifies tire dimensions, test requirements, labeling requirements, and defines tire load ratings.
S2 Application and Incorporation by
Reference.
S2.1 Application. This standard applies to new pneumatic radial tires for
use on motor vehicles (other than motorcycles and low speed vehicles) that
have a gross vehicle weight rating
(GVWR) of 10,000 pounds or less and
that were manufactured after 1975.
This standard does not apply to special
tires (ST) for trailers in highway service, tires for use on farm implements
(FI) in agricultural service with intermittent highway use, tires with rim diameters of 8 inches and below, or Ttype temporary use spare tires with radial construction.
S2.2 Incorporation
by
reference.
ASTM F–1805–00, Standard Test Method
for Single Wheel Driving Traction in a
Straight Line on Snow- and Ice-Covered Surfaces is incorporated by reference in S3 of this section. The Director of the Federal Register has ap-

proved the incorporation by reference
of this material in accordance with 5
U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR Part 51. A copy
of ASTM F–1805–00 may be obtained
from the ASTM Web site http://
www.astm.org/ or by contacting ASTM,
or by contacting ASTM, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA
19428–2959. A copy of ASTM F–1805–00
may be obtained from the NHTSA
docket at Docket No. 2005–23439, or at
the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information
on the availability of this material at
NARA, call 202–741–6030, or go to: http://
www.archives.gov/federallregister/
codeloflfederallregulations/
ibrllocations.html.
S3 Definitions.
Bead means the part of the tire that
is made of steel wires, wrapped or reinforced by ply cords and that is shaped
to fit the rim.
Bead separation means a breakdown
of the bond between components in the
bead.
Bias ply tire means a pneumatic tire
in which the ply cords that extend to
the beads are laid at alternate angles
substantially less than 90 degrees to
the centerline of the tread.

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