What Does the Label Mean?

EU Tyre Label

The new EU tyre label is intended to give consumers more information when choosing new tyres. The label shows wet grip (stopping distance in a straight line), exterior noise and fuel efficiency data. The presentation is based on the familiar EU energy efficiency label.

Note for car, 4x4 and van tyres: class D is not used so there are only 6 classes for Fuel efficiency.

In addition, for Wet grip class G is also not used so there are only 5 classes for Wet grip.

What does the label mean?

FUEL EFFICIENCY (Rolling Resistance)

Fuel efficiency is influenced by the tyre’s rolling resistance. Lower rolling resistance means lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

There is a 7.5% loss of fuel economy between the best and worst class (average).

WET GRIP (Braking Performance)

Wet grip is one of the most important performance characteristics in a tyre.

The effect may vary among vehicles and driving conditions, but in the case of full braking, the difference between a G and an A class for a set of four identical tyres could be up to 30% shorter braking distance (e.g. for a typical passenger car driving at 80 km/h speed this could be up to 18m shorter braking distance).

NOISE (Exterior Rolling Noise – not cabin noise)

Measured in decibels (dB)

3 black bars: above future EU limit, complies with current S Mark

2 black bars: meets future EU limit

1 black bar: at least 3 dB below the future EU limit

What else is important when choosing new tyres?

The label does not address every factor which is critical to overall tyre performance.

•  Dry handling Not on label

•  Dry grip (straight line) Not on label

•  Dry grip (circles/cornering) Not on label

•  Wet handling Not on label

•  Wet grip (circles/cornering) Not on label

•  Resistance to aquaplaning (straight/curved) Not on label

•  High-speed stability Not on label

•  Interior noise Not on label

•  Tread wear Not on label

Please remember the following:

Actual fuel savings and road safety depend heavily on the behaviour of drivers:

- eco-driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption

- tyre pressures should be regularly checked to optimise wet grip and fuel efficiency performance

- stopping distances should always be strictly respected

Click on the link below for further information on tyre labelling

http://ec.europa.eu/energy/efficiency/tyres/labelling_en.htm