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Michelin Recalls Over 500,000 Tires That Lack Snow Traction

Michelin tires

Michelin is recalling more than 542,000 light truck tires in the United States because they may not have adequate traction to work in all snowy conditions.

According to a report in The Daily Mail, the Michelin recall covers certain Agilis CrossClimate C-Metric tires that the company says do not meet U.S. safety standards. Michelin fears that tires without sufficient traction could increase the risk of a crash, according to documents posted by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The tires involved in the recall were first sold in the U.S. and Canada in 2018.

Details of the Michelin Tire Recall

The company said in its recall statement that the tires involved don’t comply with federal regulations. They are marked with the Alpine Symbol, but they do not meet the snow traction requirement for this standard. The Alpine Symbol is depicted by a snowflake inside a three-peaked mountain outline.

Michelin is recommending exchanging these tires. Dealers will replace the tires at no cost to owners, and owners will begin to get interim notification letters starting June 12. They will also receive another letter once the replacements are available and will not be charged further. The company has said Michelin is “diligently working on a remedy,” which will be included in the owner notification letter to be sent in June.

Michelin also says initial tire testing was done with the wrong tire pressure. Later tests by the company exposed the problem. Some of the typical models that use these tires include the Ford Transit, RAM ProMaster, Volkswagen Crafter, Nissan NV200, Chevrolet City Express, and Mercedes-Benz Sprinter. This is Michelin’s second recall in the last five months. Last December, they recalled nearly 17,000 vintage tires.

Importance of Winter Tires

All winter tires that are marked with the Alpine symbol undergo the ASTM F 1805 tire test on medium-packed snow in standardized testing conditions to ensure that their snow traction performance meets the minimum industry requirements to be considered a winter tire. Importantly, tires that are manufactured for medium-packed snow are required under the law to perform this test and may display the 3PMSF symbol on the sidewall.

Winter tires are specifically designed to handle the rigors of driving in the most dangerous months of the year. Everything from their tread patterns down to the chemical compounds in the tread rubber is built specifically to provide better grip and more control in winter conditions. These winter tires are made with tread rubber that maintains flexibility in low temperatures.

In contrast, summer tires are made for warm climates and designed to tolerate heat generated on the road. They are not designed for cold temperatures and tend to stiffen when it is cold. This renders them incapable of providing the optimal traction needed to accelerate and stop on snow-covered roadways.

It is also important to note that the tread patterns of winter tires are very different compared to all-season and summer tires. They have deeper tread depths with increased slots and sipes, which are the tiny slits in the tire that act as biting edges on ice. Such unique features allow the tire to dig deeper into the snow and grip harder on ice, providing more control to drivers.

Dangerous or Defective Winter Tires

If your vehicle does not meet the winter tire standard, it is more likely to skid or slide on snow or ice. Winter tires also play a key role when it comes to accelerating or stopping on snow or ice. This is an important ability for drivers to have while driving in wintry weather.

When snow tires are defective and fail to provide much-needed traction, there is a greatly heightened risk of accidents. Based on statistics, we also know that winter weather plays a significant role in catastrophic and fatal accidents.

Winter Weather Accident Statistics

According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), more than 70% of the nation’s roadways are located in snowy regions, which receive more than 5 inches of average snowfall annually. Nearly 70% of the U.S. population also lives in these regions. Each year, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement, and 15% occur during snowfall or sleet. Over 1,300 people are killed, and more than 116,800 people are injured in vehicle crashes on snowy, slushy, or icy pavement each year. In addition, nearly 900 people are killed and 76,000 are injured in vehicle crashes during snowfall or sleet each year.

What to Do If You Have Been Injured

If you have been injured as a result of a defective snow tire, you may be able to seek compensation for damages, including medical expenses, lost income, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering, and emotional distress. If you have lost a loved one as the result of a defective tire, you may be able to file a wrongful death lawsuit seeking compensation as well. A knowledgeable product defect lawyer will be able to help you better understand your legal rights and options.

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California Personal Injury Blog