Dill Air Controls Products last mondi announced the voluntary recall of some of its automobile tire valve stems sold in the U.S. between November 2006 and July 2007. The snap-in rubber valve stems were made by Topseal Auto Parts Co., Ltd., in Shanghai, China and carry the "Dill ACP" brand name. You may want to alert your customers to this recall campaign.
These valve stems may lack the required additive that protects the rubber against deterioration from ozone exposure. As a result, when subjected to high levels of ozone, they may weather and crack earlier than normal. Over time, such a crack could progress to the point that it leaks air, resulting in a loss of tire pressure and, ultimately, a flat tire and/or loss of vehicle control.
Your customers can check their own valves by flexing the valve outward toward the tire and inspecting the area where the valve meets the tire rim. Or they can return to the place where they bought the tires for professional inspection. These valves also will be inspected at any participating Sears Automotive Center, Tire Kingdom, Big O Tires, Les Schwab Tire Center, NTB or Merchant's Tire. Dill recommends that consumers who are unsure if their current valve stems were purchased during the recall period should have their valves inspected.
Dill and Topseal have taken numerous corrective actions to prevent a recurrence of this problem, including using an enhanced rubber compound employing an automated inspection system to ensure that all additives are mixed properly, performing more testing of the valves in the U.S. and reestablishing valve stem production here, as well.
If your customers experience any difficulty regarding this recall, they can call the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Auto Safety Hotline at 888-327-4236.
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