In a wider initiative to reduce greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has rolled out mandatory tire pressure check as of September 1, 2010.

This check will be performed and documented by anyone in the auto service/repair business performing services on vehicles weighing less than 10000lbs in the state of California. This will affect quick lubes, dealerships, general mechanic shops and anyone providing a repair to automotive maintenance systems. These shops are required by law to document this process on the invoice and keep it on record for 3 years.

So what does this mean? It means that you as a consumer can rest assured that tires will be checked more accurately using the tire placard and documenting this process will hold shops accountable. For those of you who do not own a post 2007 vehicle with TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) this law will help you to stay inflated, reduce fuel consumption and reduce greenhouse gases.

Based on my experience in the quick lube industry, tire pressure checks are part of an oil change package. However, shops may not be calibrating gauges, recording pressures or using the tire placard with manufacturers recommended pressures because it is not the law.

The issue this law creates for service providers is more bureaucracy by having to create specific commentary on invoices around tire pressures and the addition of keeping these records for 3 years. However, keeping these records for any length of time should not be an issue since they should be archived on a database. The real challenge will be ensuring technicians are doing the check accurately.

As a consumer, does this law have a positive or negative impact on you? As a service provider, what negative issues does this law present?

The full text of the law is available in this pdf.

First published on http://technorati.com/lifestyle/green/article/california-air-resources-board-mandates-tire/#ixzz0z9ePpQCN.