Petition for Exemption From the Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard; Chrysler |
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Topics: Fiat 500
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Joseph S. Carra
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
August 31, 2010
[Federal Register: August 31, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 168)]
[Notices]
[Page 53375-53376]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr31au10-133]
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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 Group LLC (Chrysler)
petition for exemption of the Fiat 500 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 49 CFR Part 541,
Federal Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Standard.
DATES: The exemption granted by this notice is effective beginning with
the 2012 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) 366-0846. Her fax number is (202) 493-2990.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In a petition dated June 16, 2010, Chrysler
requested an exemption from the parts-marking requirements of the Theft
Prevention Standard (49 CFR Part 541) for the Fiat 500 vehicle line,
beginning with MY 2012. The petition requested an exemption from parts-
marking requirements pursuant to 49 CFR 543, Exemption From Vehicle
Theft Prevention Standard, based on the installation of an antitheft
device as standard equipment for the entire vehicle line.
Under Section Sec. 543.5(a), a manufacturer may petition NHTSA to
grant exemptions for one of its vehicle lines per year. Chrysler
petitioned the agency to grant an exemption for its Fiat 500 vehicle
line beginning with MY 2012. 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 new vehicle line.
Chrysler will install the Sentry Key Immobilizer System (SKIS)
antitheft device as standard equipment on the vehicle line. The major
components of the SKIS device consist of: A Powertrain Control Module
(PCM), a Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM), a Sentry Key Remote
Entry Module (SKREEM), a transponder key fob and an ElectroMechanical
Instrument Cluster (EMIC) which controls the telltale function only.
According to Chrysler, all of these components work collectively to
perform the immobilizer function. Chrysler also stated that its SKIS
device does not provide a visible or audible indication of unauthorized
vehicle entry (i.e., flashing lights or horn alarm).
Chrysler stated that the SKIS device provides passive vehicle
protection by preventing the engine from operating unless a valid
electronically encoded key is detected in the ignition lock cylinder.
According to Chrysler, the immobilizer feature is activated when the
key is removed from the ignition lock cylinder. Only a valid key
inserted into the ignition lock cylinder will allow the vehicle to
start and continue to run.
Chrysler stated that the Sentry Key Immobilizer Module (SKIM), also
known as the Sentry Key Remote Entry Module/SKREEM, or the Body Control
Module/BCM are integral to the Body Computer Module (BCM) on the Fiat
500 vehicle line. Chrysler also stated that the BCM contains a radio
frequency (RF) transceiver and microprocessor that receives RF signals
from the Sentry Key transponder to the keyfob through a tuned antenna.
According to Chrysler, the BCM also serves as the Remote Keyless Entry
(RKE) RF receiver. Specifically, Chrysler stated that the SKIS device
uses radio frequency communication to obtain confirmation that the key
in the ignition switch is a valid transponder key for operating the
vehicle. To avoid any perceived delay when starting the vehicle with a
valid key and to prevent unburned fuel from entering the exhaust, the
engine is permitted to run for no more than 2 seconds if an invalid key
is used. Chrysler stated that when the ignition switch is turned on,
the BCM transmits a signal to the transponder in the key and waits for
a response from the transponder. If the response identifies the key as
invalid, or if no response is received from the transponder key,
Chrysler stated that the BCM sends an invalid key message to the
Powertrain Control Module (PCM), and the PCM will disable engine
operation (after the initial 2-second run) based upon the status of the
BCM messages. Chrysler further stated that only six consecutive invalid
vehicle start attempts would be permitted and all other attempts would
be locked out.
Chrysler stated that it will also incorporate an unauthorized
vehicle start telltale light into the device that will operate as a
security indicator in the ElectroMechanical Instrument Cluster (EMIC).
According to Chrysler, the telltale will alert the owner that an
unauthorized vehicle start attempt has been made. Chrysler stated that
upon an unauthorized start attempt, the telltale will flash on and off
when the ignition switch is turned to the ``ON'' position. Chrysler
stated that while the telltale acts as a security indicator, it also
acts as a diagnostic indicator. Chrysler stated that if the SKREEM
detects a system malfunction and/or the SKIS device becomes
inoperative, the security indicator will stay on. However, if the
SKREEM detects an invalid key or if a key transponder-related fault
exists, the security indicator will flash.
[[Page 53376]]
In addressing the specific content requirements of 543.6, Chrysler
provided information on the reliability and durability of the device.
Chrysler conducted tests based on its own specified standards 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 production validation test
criteria, Chrysler stated that the SKIS device also undergoes a daily
short term durability test and 100 percent of its systems undergo a
series of three functional tests for durability prior to being shipped
from the supplier to the vehicle assembly plant for installation in its
vehicles.
Chrysler also stated that each ignition key used in the SKIS device
has an integral transponder chip included on the circuit board beneath
the cover of the integral Remote Keyless Entry (RKE) transmitter.
Chrysler further stated that in addition to having to be cut to match
the mechanical coding of the ignition lock cylinder and programmed for
operation of the RKE system, each new Sentry Key has a unique
transponder identification code that is permanently programmed into it
by the manufacturer, and must be programmed into the SKREEM to be
recognized by the SKIS device as a valid key. Chrysler stated that once
a transponder key has been programmed to a particular vehicle, it
cannot be used on any other vehicle.
Chrysler stated that while there is no theft data available for the
Fiat 500 because it is a new vehicle line introduction, the theft rate
experience of the Jeep Grand Cherokee which has been installed with the
SKIS immobilizer device since MY 1999 indicates that it is projected to
have a theft rate lower than the median theft rate. Chrysler stated
that NHTSA's theft rate data for the Jeep Grand Cherokee indicates that
the inclusion of a standard immobilizer system has resulted in a 52.3
percent net average reduction in vehicle thefts for the Jeep Grand
Cherokee vehicle line. The average theft rate for the Jeep Grand
Cherokee vehicle for four model years prior to installation of an
immobilizer device as standard equipment (1995-1998) was 5.3574, which
is significantly higher than the 1990/1991 median theft rate of 3.5826.
However, the average theft rate for the six model years after
installation of the standard immobilizer device (1999-2005) was 2.5492,
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. Chrysler stated that it expects
Fiat 500 vehicles equipped with standard ignition immobilizer systems
to mirror the results achieved by the Jeep Cherokee vehicles when
ignition immobilizer devices were included as standard equipment.
Based on the supporting evidence submitted by Chrysler on the Jeep
Grand Cherokee, the agency believes that the antitheft device for the
Fiat 500 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 541). The agency
concludes that the device will provide four of the five types of
performance listed in Sec. 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.
Pursuant to 49 U.S.C. 33106 and 49 CFR 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
supporting 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 Fiat 500 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.
For the foregoing reasons, the agency hereby grants in full
Chrysler's petition for an exemption for the MY 2012 Fiat 500 vehicle
line from the parts-marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541. 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 with respect 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.
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. 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, Sec. 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 Part
543.9(c)(2) could place on exempted vehicle manufacturers and itself.
The agency did not intend 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 26, 2010.
Joseph S. Carra,
Acting Associate Administrator for Rulemaking.
[FR Doc. 2010-21758 Filed 8-30-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-59-P