Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Chrysler |
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Topics: Chrysler
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Christopher J. Bonanti
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 29, 2013
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 168 (Thursday, August 29, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 53500-53501]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-21130]
[[Page 53500]]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft
Prevention Standard; Chrysler
AGENCY: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),
Department of Transportation (DOT).
ACTION: Grant of petition for exemption.
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SUMMARY: This document grants in full the Chrysler LLC, (Chrysler)
petition for exemption of the Chrysler [confidential] vehicle line in
accordance with 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft
Prevention Standard. This petition is granted because the agency has
determined that the antitheft device to be placed on the line as
standard equipment is likely to be as effective in reducing and
deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the parts-marking
requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard 49 CFR Part 541, Federal
Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard. Chrysler requested
confidential treatment for specific information in its petition. The
agency will address Chrysler's request for confidential treatment by
separate letter.
DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with
the [confidential] Model Year (MY).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Deborah Mazyck, International
Policy, Fuel Economy and Consumer Programs, NHTSA, W43-443, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE., Washington, DC 20590. Ms. Mazyck's phone number is
(202) 366-4139. Her fax number is (202) 493-2990.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated June 3, 2013, Chrysler
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft
Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) for a confidential vehicle year
and vehicle line. The petition requested an exemption from parts-
marking pursuant to 49 CFR Part 543, Exemption from Vehicle Theft
Prevention Standard, based on the installation of an antitheft device
as standard equipment for the entire vehicle line.
Under 49 CFR Part 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to
grant an exemption for one vehicle line per model year. In its
petition, Chrysler provided a detailed description and diagram of the
identity, design, and location of the components of the antitheft
device for the [confidential] vehicle line. Chrysler will install the
Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS)/``MiniCrypt'' antitheft device as
standard equipment on the vehicle line. The SKIS will provide passive
vehicle protection by preventing the engine from operating unless a
valid electronically encoded key is detected in the ignition system of
the vehicle. The major components of the SKIS device consist of the
Radio Frequency Hub Module (RFHM), Ignition Node Module (IGNM), Engine
Control Module, Body Controller Module (BCM), the transponder key which
performs the immobilizer function and an Instrument Panel Cluster which
contains the telltale function only. According to Chrysler, all of
these components work collectively to perform the immobilizer function.
Chrysler stated that the SKIS does not provide an audible alert;
however, the vehicle will be equipped with a security indicator in the
instrument panel cluster that will flash if an invalid transponder key
is detected. Chrysler's submission is considered a complete petition as
required by 49 CFR 543.7 in that it meets the general requirements
contained in 543.5 and the specific content requirements of 543.6.
Chrysler stated that the SKIS will be placed on both its keyless
entry vehicles and keyed vehicles. According to Chrysler, in its keyed
vehicles, the SKIS immobilizer feature is activated when the key is
removed from the ignition system (whether the doors are open or not).
Specifically, the RFHM is paired with the IGNM that contains either a
rotary ignition switch (keyed vehicles) or a START/STOP push button
(keyless vehicles). Chrysler stated that the functions and features of
the SKIS are all integral to the BCM in this vehicle. The RFHM contains
a Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver and a microprocessor and it
initiates the ignition process by communicating with the BCM through
SKIS. The microprocessor-based SKIS hardware and software also use
electronic messages to communicate with other electronic modules in the
vehicle.
Chrysler stated that, in its keyed vehicles, the SKIS uses RF
communication to obtain confirmation that the key is a valid
transponder key to operate the vehicle. The RFHM receives Low Frequency
(LF) and/or RF signals from the Sentry Key transponder which is
integral to the fob with integrated key. For the keyed vehicles, the
IGNM transmits an LF signal to excite the transponder in the key when
the ignition switch is turned to the ON position. The IGNM waits for a
signal response from the transponder and transmits the response to the
RFHM. If the response identifies the transponder key as invalid or if
no response is received from the transponder key, Chrysler stated that
the RFHM will send an invalid key message to the Engine Control Module,
which will disable engine operation and immobilize the vehicle after
two seconds of running. Only a valid key inserted into the ignition
system will allow the vehicle to start and continue to run.
Chrysler stated that, in its keyless vehicles, the RFHM is
connected to a Keyless Ignition Node (KIN) with a START/STOP push
button as an ignition switch. Chrysler stated that when the keyless
START/STOP button is pressed, the RFHM transmits a signal to the
transponder key through LF antennas to the RFHM. The RFHM then waits
for a signal from the key fob transponder. If the response from the
transponder identifies the transponder key as invalid or the
transponder key is not within the car's interior, the engine will be
disabled and the vehicle will be immobilized after two seconds of
running.
To avoid any perceived delay when starting the vehicle with a valid
transponder key and also to prevent unburned fuel from entering the
exhaust, Chrysler stated that the engine is permitted to run for no
more than two seconds if an invalid transponder key is used.
Additionally, Chrysler stated that only six consecutive invalid vehicle
start attempts will be permitted and that all other attempts will be
locked out by preventing the fuel injectors from firing and disabling
the starter.
In addressing the specific content requirements of 49 CFR Part
543.6, Chrysler provided information on the reliability and durability
of the device. Chrysler conducted tests based on its own specified
standards, i.e., voltage range and temperature range, and stated its
belief that the device meets the stringent performance standards
prescribed. Specifically, Chrysler stated that its device must
demonstrate a minimum of 95 percent reliability with 90 percent
confidence. In addition to the design and validation test criteria,
Chrysler stated that 100% of its systems undergo a series of three
functional tests prior to being shipped from the supplier to the
vehicle assembly plant for installation in the vehicles.
Chrysler stated that its vehicles are also equipped with a security
indicator that also acts as a diagnostic indicator. Specifically,
Chrysler stated that if the RFHM detects an invalid transponder key or
if a transponder key related fault occurs, the security indicator would
flash. If the RFHM detects a system malfunction or the SKIS becomes
ineffective, the security indicator would stay on. The SKIS also
performs a self-test each time the ignition system is
[[Page 53501]]
turned to the RUN position and will store fault information in the form
of a diagnostic trouble code in RFHM memory if a system malfunction is
detected. Chrysler also stated that the vehicle is equipped with a
Customer Learn transponder programming feature that when in use will
cause the security indicator to flash.
Chrysler further stated that each ignition key used in the SKIS has
an integral transponder chip included on the circuit board. Each
transponder key has a unique transponder identification code that is
permanently programmed into it by the manufacturer and must be
programmed into the RFHM to be recognized by the SKIS as a valid key.
Chrysler stated that once a Sentry Key has been programmed to a
particular vehicle, it cannot be used on any other vehicle.
Chrysler stated that it expects the [confidential] vehicle line to
mirror the lower theft rate results achieved by the Jeep Grand Cherokee
vehicle line when ignition immobilizer systems were included as
standard equipment on the line. Chrysler stated that it has offered the
SKIS immobilizer system as standard equipment on all Jeep Grand
Cherokee vehicles since the 1999 model year. Chrysler indicated that
the average theft rate, based on NHTSA's theft data, for the Jeep Grand
Cherokee vehicles for the four model years prior to 1999 (1995-1998),
when a vehicle immobilizer system was not installed as standard
equipment, was 5.3574 per one thousand vehicles produced, significantly
higher than the 1990/1991 median theft rate of 3.5826. However,
Chrysler also indicated that the average theft rate for the Jeep Grand
Cherokee for the nine model years (1999-2009, no data available for
2007 and 2009) after installation of the standard immobilizer device
was 2.5704, which is significantly lower than the median. The Jeep
Grand Cherokee vehicle line was granted an exemption from the parts-
marking requirements beginning with MY 2004 (67 FR 79687, December 30,
2002). Chrysler further asserts that NHTSA's theft data for the Jeep
Grand Cherokee indicates that the inclusion of a standard immobilizer
system resulted in a 52 percent net average reduction in vehicle
thefts.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR Part 543.7(b), the agency
grants a petition for exemption from the parts-marking requirements of
Part 541, either in whole or in part, if it determines that, based upon
substantial evidence, the standard equipment antitheft device is likely
to be as effective in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as
compliance with the parts-marking requirements of Part 541. The agency
finds that Chrysler has provided adequate reasons for its belief that
the antitheft device for the vehicle line is likely to be as effective
in reducing and deterring motor vehicle theft as compliance with the
parts-marking requirements of the Theft Prevention Standard (49 CFR
Part 541). This conclusion is based on the information Chrysler
provided about its device.
The agency concludes that the device will provide four of the five
types of performance listed in 49 CFR Part 543.6(a)(3): promoting
activation; preventing defeat or circumvention of the device by
unauthorized persons; preventing operation of the vehicle by
unauthorized entrants; and ensuring the reliability and durability of
the device.
For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full
Chrysler's petition for exemption for its [confidential] vehicle line
from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541, beginning with
its [confidential] model year vehicles. The agency notes that 49 CFR
Part 541, Appendix A-1, identifies those lines that are exempted from
the Theft Prevention Standard for a given model year. 49 CFR Part
543.7(f) contains publication requirements incident to the disposition
of all Part 543 petitions. Advanced listing, including the release of
future product nameplates, the beginning model year for which the
petition is granted and a general description of the antitheft device
is necessary in order to notify law enforcement agencies of new vehicle
lines exempted from the parts marking requirements of the Theft
Prevention Standard. Chrysler stated that an official nameplate for the
vehicle has not yet been determined, but it will notify the agency as
soon as that determination has been made.
If Chrysler decides not to use the exemption for this vehicle line,
it must formally notify the agency. If such a decision is made, the
vehicle line must be fully marked as required by 49 CFR Parts 541.5 and
541.6 (marking of major component parts and replacement parts).
NHTSA notes that if Chrysler wishes in the future to modify the
device on which this exemption is based, the company may have to submit
a petition to modify the exemption. 49 CFR Part 543.7(d) states that a
Part 543 exemption applies only to vehicles that belong to a line
exempted under this part and equipped with the anti-theft device on
which the line's exemption is based. Further, 49 CFR Part 543.9(c)(2)
provides for the submission of petitions ``to modify an exemption to
permit the use of an antitheft device similar to but differing from the
one specified in that exemption.''
The agency wishes to minimize the administrative burden that 49 CFR
Part 543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted vehicle manufacturers and
itself. The agency did not intend in drafting Part 543 to require the
submission of a modification petition for every change to the
components or design of an antitheft device. The significance of many
such changes could be de minimis. Therefore, NHTSA suggests that if the
manufacturer contemplates making any changes, the effects of which
might be characterized as de minimis, it should consult the agency
before preparing and submitting a petition to modify.
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 33106; delegation of authority at 49 CFR
1.50.
Issued on: August 21, 2013.
Christopher J. Bonanti,
Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2013-21130 Filed 8-28-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P