Everything You Need To Know About Tyre Labels
Since November 2012, any new tyre manufactured after the 1st July must carry an EU tyre label. This applies to all car, van, 4x4 and the majority of truck tyres. This regulation requires that all manufacturers of the aforementioned tyres must provide information on the following criteria:
- Fuel consumption
- Wet grip
- Noise classification
It is hoped that with the introduction of these tyre labels consumers will be able to make more informed decisions when purchasing tyres. All new tyres manufactured are being testing and classified using the same criteria which will provide vehicle owners a clear and objective comparison across all tyres.
Fuel efficiency
The energy lost when a tyre is in motion is known as 'rolling resistance'. This has a direct impact on fuel consumption. A tyre's rolling resistance score ranges from A to G. Over the life of the tyre, fitting an A rated tyre could save you up to 6 litres of fuel when compared to a G rated tyre.
Wet grip
A tyre's wet grip capacity is expressed in Grades from A to G. The difference in braking distances between each grade is roughly 3m - an average car length. This makes average stopping distance between an A and G rated tyre 18m. That's 4 car lengths.
Noise level
The exterior noise grade of a tyre is expressed in decibels - accompanied by one, two or three sound waves, with one wave being the best noise level performance. To achieve the best grade, a tyre’s noise level must be at least 3dB under the legal limit set by the EU.
Changes to EU Tyre Labelling
Tyre labelling changes will be taking place from the 1st May 2021 in Europe, including in Northern Ireland. To find out more about these changes, click here.