AUTHORITY: Secs. 103, 112, 114, and 119, National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1401, 1403, and 1407); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50.

§ 568.1 Purpose and scope.

The purpose of this part is to prescribe the method by which manufacturers of vehicles manufactured in two or more stages shall ensure conformity of those vehicles with the Federal motor safety vehicle standards ("standards") and other regulations issued under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971]

§ 568.2 Application.

This part applies to incomplete vehicle manufacturers, intermediate manufacturers, and final-stage manufacturers of vehicles manufactured in two or more stages.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971]

§ 568.3 Definitions.

Completed vehicle means vehicle means a vehicle that requires no further manufacturing operations to perform its intended function, other than the addition of readily attachable components, such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting.

Final-stage manufacturer means a person who performs such manufacturing operations on an incomplete vehicle that it becomes a completed vehicle.

Incomplete vehicle means an assemblage consisting, as a minimum, of frame and chassis structure, power train, steering system, suspension system, and braking system, to the extent that those systems are to be part of the completed vehicle, that requires further manufacturing operations, other than the addition of readily attachable components, such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting, to become a completed vehicle.

Incomplete vehicle manufacturer means a person who manufactures an incomplete vehicle by assembling components none of which, taken separately, constitute an incomplete vehicle.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971, as amended at 37 FR 10938, June 1, 1972]

§ 568.4 Requirements for incomplete vehicle manufacturers.

(a) The incomplete vehicle manufacturer shall furnish with the incomplete vehicle, at or before the time of delivery, a document that contains the following statements, in the order shown, and any other information required by this chapter to be included therein.

(1) Name and mailing address of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer.

(2) Month and year during which the incomplete vehicle manufacturer performed his last manufacturing operation on the incomplete vehicle.

(3) Identification of the incomplete vehicle(s) to which the document applies. The identification may be by serial number, groups of serial numbers, or otherwise, but it must be sufficient to ascertain positively that a document applies to a particular incomplete vehicle after the document has been removed from the vehicle.

(4) Gross vehicle weight rating of the completed vehicle for which the incomplete vehicle is intended.

(5) Gross axle weight rating for each axle of the completed vehicle, listed and identified in order from front to rear (e.g., front, first intermediate, second intermediate, rear). The ratings for any consective axles having identical gross axle weight ratings when equipped with tires having the same tire size designation may, at the option of the incomplete vehicle manufacturer, be stated as a single value, with the label indicating to which axles the ratings apply.

EXAMPLE OF COMBINED RATINGS GAWR: (a) All axles-4080 with 7.00-15 LT(D) tires.

(b) Front-12,000 with 10.00–20(G) tires. First intermediate to rear-15,000 with 12.00-20(H) tires.

(6) Listing of the vehicle types as defined in §571.3 of this chapter (e.g., truck, MPV, bus, trailer) into which

the incomplete vehicle may appropriately be manufactured.

(7) Listing by number of each standard, in effect at the time of manufacture of the incomplete vehicle, that applies to any of the vehicle types listed in this paragraph (a)(6) of this section, followed in each case by one of the following three types of statement, as applicable:

(i) A statement that the vehicle when completed will conform to the standard if no alterations are made in identified components of the incomplete vehicle.

EXAMPLE: 107-This vehicle when completed will conform to Standard 107 (see § 571.107 of this chapter), Reflecting Surfaces, if no alterations are made in the windshield wiper components or in the reflecting surfaces in the interior of the cab.

(ii) A statement of specific conditions of final manufacture under which the manufacturer specifies that the completed vehicle will conform to the standard.

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EXAMPLE: 121-This vehicle when pleted will conform to Standard 121, Airbrake Systems (see §571.121 of this chapter), if it does not exceed any of the gross axle weight ratings, if the center of gravity at GVWR is not higher than nine feet above the ground, and if no alterations are made in any brake system component.

(iii) A statement that conformity with the standard is not substantially affected by the design of the incomplete vehicle, and that the incomplete vehicle manufacturer makes no representation as to conformity with the standard.

(b) The document shall be attached to the incomplete vehicle in such a manner that it will not be inadvertently detached, or alternatively, it may be sent directly to a final-stage manufacturer, intermediate manufacturer or purchaser for purposes other than resale to whom the incomplete vehicle is delivered.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971, as amended at 42 FR 31162, June 20, 1977; 42 FR 37371, July 21, 1977; 42 FR 37816, July 25, 1977]

§ 568.5 Requirements for intermediate manufacturers.

(a) Each intermediate manufacturer of an incomplete vehicle shall furnish the document required by § 568.4 in the manner specified in that section. If any

of the changes in the vehicle made by the intermediate manufacturer affect the validity of the statements in the document as provided to him he shall furnish an addendum to the document that contains his name and mailing address and an indication of all changes that should be made in the document to reflect changes that he made in the vehicle.

(b) Each intermediate manufacturer shall, in accordance with § 567.5 of this chapter, affix a label to each chassiscab respecting which he is required by paragraph (a) above to furnish an addendum to the document required by § 568.4.

(Secs. 103, 108, 112, 114, 119, Pub. L. 89-563, 80 Stat. 718 (15 U.S.C. 1392, 1397, 1401, 1403, 1407); delegation of authority at 49 CFR 1.50)

[43 FR 9605, Mar. 9, 1978]

§ 568.6 Requirements for final-stage manufacturers.

(a) Each final-stage manufacturer shall complete the vehicle in such a manner that it conforms to the standards in effect on the date of manufacture of the incomplete vehicle, the date of final completion, or a date between those two dates. dates. This requirement shall, however, be superseded by any conflicting provisions of a standard that applies by its terms to vehicles manufactured in two or more stages.

(b) Each final-stage manufacturer shall affix a label to the completed vehicle in accordance with §567.5 of this chapter.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971, as amended at 42 FR 37817, July 25, 1977]

§ 568.7 Requirements for manufacturers who assume legal responsibility for the vehicle.

(a) If an incomplete vehicle manufacturer assumes legal responsibility for all duties and liabilities imposed on manufacturers by the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (15 U.S.C. 1381 through 1425) (hereafter referred to as the Act), with respect to the vehicle as finally manufactured, the requirements of §§ 568.4, 568.5 and 568.6(b) do not apply to that vehicle. In such a case, the incomplete vehicle manufacturer shall ensure that a label

is affixed to the final vehicle in conformity with § 567.5(e) of this chapter.

(b) If an intermediate manufacturer of a vehicle assumes legal responsibility for all duties and liabilities imposed on manufacturers by the Act, with respect to the vehicle as finally manufactured, §§ 568.5 and 568.6(b) do not apply to that vehicle. In such a case, the manufacturer assuming responsibility shall ensure that a label is affixed to the final vehicle in conformity with § 567.5(f) of this chapter. The assumption of responsibility by an intermediate manufacturer does not, however, change the requirements for incomplete vehicle manufacturers in § 568.4.

[36 FR 7057, Apr. 14, 1971, as amended at 42 FR 37817, July 25, 1977]

§ 568.8 Requirements for persons who alter certified vehicles.

A person who alters a vehicle that has been previously certified in accordance with §567.4 or §567.5, other than by the addition, substitution, or removal of readily attachable components such as mirrors or tire and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting, or who alters a vehicle in such a manner that its stated weight ratings are no longer valid, before the first purchase of the vehicle in good faith for purposes other than resale, shall ascertain that the vehicle as altered conforms to the standards which are affected by the alteration and are in effect on the original date of manufacture of the vehicle, the date of final completion, or a date between those two dates. That person shall certify the vehicle in accordance with § 567.7 of this chapter.

[45 FR 18929, Mar. 24, 1980]

(a) Statutory definitions. All terms used in this part that are defined in section 102 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 (15 U.S.C. 1391) are used as defined in the Act.

(b) Motor Vehicle Safety Standard definitions. Unless otherwise indicated, all terms used in this part that are defined in the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, part 571, of this subchapter (hereinafter "The Standards"), used as defined therein without regard to the applicability of a standard in which a definition is contained.

are

(c) Regroovable tire means a tire, either original tread or retread, designed and constructed with sufficient tread material to permit renewal of the tread pattern or the generation of a new tread pattern in a manner which conforms to this part.

(d) Regrooved tire means a tire, either original tread or retread, on which the tread pattern has been renewed or a new tread has been produced by cutting into the tread of a worn tire to a depth equal to or deeper than the molded original groove depth.

[34 FR 1150, Jan. 24, 1969. Redesignated at 35 FR 5118, Mar. 26, 1970]

§ 569.5 Applicability.

(a) General. Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, this part applies to all motor vehicle regrooved or regroovable tires manufactured or regrooved after the effective date of the regulation.

(b) Export. This part does not apply to regrooved or regroovable tires intended solely for export and so labeled or tagged.

[34 FR 1150, Jan. 24, 1969. Redesignated at 35 FR 5118, Mar. 26, 1970]

§ 569.7 Requirements.

(a) Regrooved tires. (1) Except as permitted by paragraph (a)(2) of this section, no person shall sell, offer for sale, or introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce regrooved tires produced by removing rubber from the surface of a worn tire tread to generate a new tread pattern. Any person who regrooves tires and leases them to owners or operators of motor vehicles and any person who regrooves his own tires for use on motor vehicles is considered to be a person delivering for introduction into interstate commerce within the meaning of this part.

(2) A regrooved tire may be sold, offered for sale, or introduced for sale or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce only if it conforms to each of the following requirements:

(i) The tire being regrooved shall be a regroovable tire;

(ii) After regrooving, cord material below the grooves shall have a protective covering of tread material at least 3/32-inch thick;

(iii) After regrooving, the new grooves generated into the tread material and any residual original molded tread groove which is at or below the new regrooved depth shall have a minimum of 90 linear inches of tread edges per linear foot of the circumference;

(iv) After regrooving, the new groove width generated into the tread material shall be a minimum of 3/16-inch and a maximum of 16-inch;

(v) After regrooving, all new grooves cut into the tread shall provide unobstructed fluid escape passages; and

(vi) After regrooving, the tire shall not contain any of the following defects, as determined by a visual examination of the tire either mounted on the rim, or dismounted, whichever is applicable:

(A) Cracking which extends to the fabric,

(B) Groove cracks or wear extending to the fabric, or

(C) Evidence of ply, tread, or sidewall separation;

(vii) If the tire is siped by cutting the tread surface without removing rubber, the tire cord material shall not be damaged as a result of the siping process, and no sipe shall be deeper than the original or retread groove depth.

(b) Siped regroovable tires. No person shall sell, offer for sale, or introduce for sale or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce a regroovable tire that has been siped by cutting the tread surface without removing rubber if the tire cord material is damaged as a result of the siping process, or if the tire is siped deeper than the original or retread groove depth.

[39 FR 15039, Apr. 30, 1974, as amended at 42 FR 21613, Apr. 28, 1977]

§ 569.9 Labeling of regroovable tires.

(a) Regroovable tires. After August 30, 1969, each tire designed and constructed for regrooving shall be labeled on both sidewalls sidewalls with the with the word “Regroovable" molded on or into the tire in raised or recessed letters 0.025 to 0.040 inch. The word "Regroovable" shall be in letters 0.38 to 0.50 inch in height and not less than 4 inches and not more than 6 inches in length. The lettering shall be located in the sidewall of the tire between the maximum section width and the bead in an area which will not be obstructed by the rim flange.

[34 FR 1150, Jan. 24, 1969; 34 FR 1830, Feb. 7, 1969]

(a) Failure indicator. The brake system failure indicator lamp, if part of a vehicle's original equipment, shall be operable. (This lamp is required by Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 105, 49 CFR 571.105, on every new passenger car manufactured on or after January 1, 1968, and on other types of motor vehicles manufactured on or after September 1, 1975.)

(1) Inspection procedure. Apply the parking brake and turn the ignition to start, or verify lamp operation by other means indicated by the vehicle manufacturer that the brake system failure indicator lamp is operable.

(b) Brake system integrity. The brake system shall demonstrate integrity as indicated by no perceptible decrease in pedal height under a 125 pound force applied to the brake pedal or by no illumination of the brake system failure indicator lamp. The brake system shall withstand the application of force to the pedal without failure of any line or other part.

(1) Inspection procedures. With the engine running on vehicles equipped with power brake systems, and the ignition turned to "on" in other vehicles, apply a force of 125 pounds to the brake pedal and hold for 10 seconds. Note any decrease in pedal height, and whether the lamp illuminates.

(c) Brake pedal reserve. When the brake pedal is fully depressed, the distance that the pedal has traveled from its free position shall be not greater than 80 percent of the total distance from its free position to the floorboard or other object that restricts pedal travel.

(1) Inspection procedure. Measure the distance (A) from the free pedal position to the floorboard or other object that restricts brake pedal travel. Depress the brake pedal, and with the force applied measure the distance (B) from the depressed pedal position to the floorboard or other object that restricts pedal travel.

Determine the percentage as

[(A-B)/A]×100.

The engine must be operating when power-assisted brakes are checked. The pedal reserve check is not required for