The Firestone Recall • Capsule Summary • Firestone Probe • ATX Recall • Dingell Wants Other Firestone Tires Examined • Rollover Fears Led to Lower Inflation Recommendations • Firestone Tires Had A Heavy Load --- • Other Firestone Tire Problems • Firestone Service Centers

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2000 -- Firestone has gotten a huge black eye from the problems with its ATX and Wilderness tires, used mostly on Ford vehicles. But Ford may wind up with a few scrapes and bruises too.

The Washington Post is reporting that Ford specified a lower-than-normal inflation pressure for the tires because of concerns that its popular Explorer would be more prone to roll over if tires were inflated beyond 26 pounds per square inch.

That's a bit lower the 30 pounds normally recommended for tires of this type -- and could contribute to the tires becoming overheated under certain conditions. That, in turn, could be a factor in the treat separations that have been blamed for hundreds of accidents, many of them fatal.

The Post said a 1989 test showed that a Ford Explorer with tires inflated to 35 pounds per square inch could roll over when making a sudden turn. Ford then recommended the lower inflation pressure, which increases adhesion to the roadway and lends the likelihood of rollovers.

Firestone initially blamed underinflation for some of the accidents but, fearful of alienating Ford, has lately had little to say about the matter.