(AP) 
"We're gratified that there's a final rule which allows us to continue the implementation of the technology as we've been doing," Shosteck said.

Congress, seeking ways to prevent SUV rollovers after more than 10 million Firestone tires were recalled beginning in August 2000, sought the warning devices in The Transportation Recall Enhancement, Accountability and Documentation Act.

NHTSA originally issued a rule in December 2001 that would have required vehicles made after November 2003 to have dashboard lights warning drivers if their tire pressure was low.

But Public Citizen and other consumer groups sued the government agency, arguing the rule weakly allowed automakers to choose between cheaper "indirect" monitors, which operate off the antilock braking system, or "direct" systems, which have monitors attached to each wheel.

A federal appeals court in New York agreed with the consumer groups and tossed out NHTSA's rule in August 2003, leading to the new process of issuing the regulation.

Joan Claybrook, the president of Public Citizen and a former NHTSA administrator, said she would prefer that motorists get quicker warnings about low tire pressure.

The rule requires the system to warn the driver within 20 minutes of additional travel within a speed range of about 30 mph to 60 mph. Claybrook said motorists driving locally at lower speeds might be delayed in receiving the dashboard warning.

"It's not exactly what we hoped but I think that it will work," Claybrook said.

By Ken Thomas
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