SERVICES
EU Tyre Labelling Legislation
Everything you need to know
On 1st November 2012 the new EU Tyre Labelling legislation comes into force. All new car, 4x4, SUV, van and most truck tyres manufactured after 1st July 2012 now carry a new ‘tyre label’ which is similar to the energy stickers that appear on white goods. The label provides you with objective, reliable and comparable information about your tyre purchase. Tyres manufactured before 1st July 2012 may still carry an old style label.
The tyre label focusis on three areas of performance and raises some very important questions to assist you when making your tyre purchase.
Fuel Efficiency - How economic is this tyre? - Savings
Wet Grip - How quickly can the tyre stop in wet conditions? - Safety
Exterior Noise - How noisy is the tyre? - Sound
FUEL ECONOMY
Fuel Efficiency / Rolling Resistance
A rolling tyre deforms and dissipates energy. The energy that's lost is known as rolling resistance and directly impacts on fuel consumption. The difference in fuel consumption between a car fitted with A and G class tyres is around 0.5 litres per 100km, that's a saving of around 80 litres and more than £110 per year.*
*Savings based on a petrol engine car travelling 10,000 miles/year with £1.40/litre fuel cost.
WET GRIP
Tyres with excellent wet grip have shorter braking distances on slippery roads, essential for keeping you safe in the rain.
These ratings are measured from the distance travelled by a car after braking at 50mph in the wet.* 30% shorter braking distance between best and worst class for a full set of tyres fitted to an average car.
* Testing according to regulation EC 1222/2009
EXTERNAL NOISE LEVELS
This diagram shows you a tyre’s noise level in decibels (dB). The 3-wave pictogram tells you how it rates in relation to future European mandatory limits. Tyre noise heard outside the car doesn’t necessarily relate to what you hear inside the car.
3 black waves = Noisier tyre. Level greater than the future limit but complies with today’s noise regulation
2 black waves = Average tyre. Noise level equal to or below future limit by up to 3 dB (A)
1 black wave = Low noise tyre. Noise level 3 dB (A) or more below future noise limit
3dB doesn’t sound much but it is actually double the noise level!
Note: External tyre rolling noise is not related to interior vehicle noise
