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| Q1:What do the JWL marks denote? What does the VIA mark mean? |
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| A１: |
We will provide descriptions and the background of each mark and its related organization.
| (1) |
The JWL mark
Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism established the quality and performance criteria of light alloy wheels. There are standards “Technical standards for Light Alloy Disc Wheels for Passenger Cars” and “Technical standards for Light Alloy Disc Wheels for Trucks and Buses,” and products that have passed these Standards, by voluntary inspection, should have JWL (for passenger cars) and JWL-T (for tracks and buses) engraved on them.
Incidentally JWL comes from “Japan Light Alloy Wheel”. |
| (2) |
VIA mark
As a light alloy wheel is an important safety part for vehicles and its safety quality can affect human lives, any organizations that manufacture and sell light alloy wheels or testing organizations that inspect and check aftermarket wheels need to do so based upon the technical standards approved by MLIT, and to have them registered accordingly. This is known as VIA registration.
Registration is performed by the Japan Light Alloy Automotive Wheel Testing Council (hereafter referred to as “the Council”) and testing and registration are performed by the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association (hereafter referred to as Vehicle Inspection).
VIA is a registered trademark of the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association. |
The JWL mark and VIA mark are applied in Japan.
The council is made up of the Nippon Auto Parts Aftermarket Committee (NAPAC) JAWA Division and the Japan Aluminum Association (JAA) along with the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association.
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| Q2:Can we display VIA marks or limited load marks on our own authority? |
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| A2: |
Only after VIA registration has been completed can VIA marks or limited load marking be displayed on products. However, specified marks and load indication marks should be used.
As the VIA mark is a registered trademark, using it without VIA registration means unauthorized use, hence illegal.
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| Q3:What is the difference between the Max Load indication and VIA defined load? |
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| A3: |
It is beyond our knowledge that, based upon which standard of which country, the“Max Load” indication is displayed on some imported wheels. The VIA limited load indication can be displayed on any wheel in compliance with the conditions specified in test condition 2 (limited use) found in a separate volume of the council regulations book and after VIA registration has been performed.
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| Q4: |
What are the differences between limited use conditions and general use conditions? Why are they indicated in KG and not in kgf? |
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| A4: |
Limited use conditions are those established for the heaviest wheel weight discovered in checking on specifications of each mounting vehicle hub. And KG is not a weight unit, but rather a load indication symbol. General use conditions are to be set based on the cargo load corresponding to its max load capacity and an indication by a load symbol is not required for general use.
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| Q5: |
In the case of a multiple type wheels with more than one limited use, how should the limited load mark displayed? |
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| A5: |
Let us take passenger car wheels as an example.
| (1) |
In the case where nominal rim diameter is 15 inches with 4 or 5 holes and PCD being 114.3.
VlA 690KG
4×114.3 620KG |
| (2) |
In the case where nominal rim diameter is 14 inches with 4 holes and PCD being 100 or 114.3.
VlA 620KG
4×100 500KG |
| (3) |
In the case where nominal rim diameter is 13 inches with 4 holes and PCD being 100 or 114.3.
VlA 500KG
4×110 325KG |
| (4) |
In the case where nominal rim diameter is 12 inches with 4 holes and PCD being 100, 110 or 114.3
VlA P-360KG
VlA T-430KG
4×110 P-275KG
T-375KG
4×114.3 P-330KG
T-400KG |
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| Q6: |
Is a Multiple Type supposed to use a limited-use-condition VIA load indication mark for specifications for each installation? Am I right in assuming that one indication of a symbol for the displayed Max Load is sufficient if the wheel has passed the strength test? |
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| A6: |
If the specifications for each installation pass the strength test using the greatest load, indicating the max load alone is sufficient.
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| Q7: |
If we have an approved testing equipment ourselves, can we display the VIA mark on products that have passed the test there? |
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| A7: |
VIA marks cannot be used simply because the products have passed the internal inspection test.
Products also have to undergo a documentary judgment with data (test report) from a certified testing equipment and file for an application to have them registered with VIA before displaying any VIA mark.
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| Q8: |
If JWL and VIA marks cannot be placed on the front side because of the wheel design, is it OK to place them on the back? |
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| A8: |
They always have to be placed on the front. This is because they are supposed to be easily recognized when attached to vehicles. It is necessary to take this into consideration at the point of the wheel design.
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| Q9:Why do multiple-type wheels need to indicate each symbol per different load? |
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A9:This is because load strengths differ in each specification for various installations.
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| Q10: |
If VIA markings is an requirement on wheels to be sold outside Japan where no Japanese standard is applicable, would it be OK to sell them with VIA marks, but actually without VIA registration? |
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| A10: |
VIA marks can only be used on products registered with VIA. Even if products are sold in countries outside Japan, the VIA marking can not be displayed without registration. The VIA mark is a trademark of the Japan Vehicle Inspection Association, and penalties will be applied for unauthorized use.
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