All new tyres for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles produced for sale in Europe are required to have a performance label for consumers to examine and compare before purchasing under European Regulation (EC) No. 1222/2009.
Each tyre manufacturer must test their own products in accordance with a strict set of guidelines that are regulated and overseen by their specific EU member state (note that some far-eastern manufacturers may not be subject to state regulation and that this may result in less accurate data).
Updates to the labels from 2021 have further streamlined the information accessible and offer a direct QR code web link to the manufacturer information for each individual product per tyre.
Consumers can confidently compare tyres before making a purchase since they have a better grasp of the products they're buying.
*Please be advised that this system may be susceptible to performance measurements from less well-known tyre manufacturers that are not entirely accurate. For additional information, please get in touch with us directly if you have any questions about the data supplied.
The data labels are very simple to use and comprehend because they are based on the same system used to mark energy efficiency on white goods. They provide details on the following standards:
Tyre Safety -
Wet Braking Performance
Measured in terms of wet braking performance, the chart offers a grading system from:
E (least safe performer and longest distance to stop) to
A (shortest stopping distance and safest).
The test is performed with a vehicle under standardised conditions defined by law, to cover: temperature, road surface, water depth and speed. The conditions of the test are as follows:
Summer tyres tested between 5°C and 35°C
Winter tyres tested between 2°C and 20°C
Water depth between 0.5mm and 1.5mm
Braking performed on an ABS equipped vehicle on four tyres between approx. 50mph and 12mph
A vehicle fitted with a set of A grade tyres can stop in up to 30% (18metres) shorter distances when braking from 50mph than that of the same vehicle fitted with a set of E grade tyres.
Tyre Fuel Economy - Rolling Resistance
The tyres' fuel efficiency is graded on the chart from:
A (most efficient) to E (least efficient).
Using testing methods set by Regulation CE 1222/2009 to generate proven performance gaps, a car fitted with a set of A graded tyres driven at 50mph uses 7.5% LESS fuel than those with E rated tyres.
Fuel efficiency is measured by rolling resistance. As your car tyres roll along a road, there is naturally an amount of resistance. this has a direct impact on how much fuel used. If your tyres have a low rolling resistance they will use less energy and provide you with better fuel efficiency.
Tyre External Noise Emissions- Decibel Rating
The external noise a tyre generates is measured in decibels (dB). The test is carried out by measuring the sound level of a tyres' emission as a test vehicle passes a microphone in standardised conditions at 50mph.
Mandatory laws for noise emission from tyres will come into force in the future across Europe. The label shows the decibel output of the tyre and it's relationship to the current legislation and future limits.
C = A noisier tyre. The level would be greater than the future limit but would comply with current output regulation.
B = An AVERAGE type tyre. The noise level is equal to or below the future limit by up to approx 3dB
A = A LOW noise tyre. The output emission is at 3dB or more below the future regulation.
Overview
Labelling serves as a useful consumer guide. to help you decide on your purchase more intelligently. Tyres are more than simply tyres.
Numerous characteristics are offered by various products, so you should carefully consider the best tyre for your driving style and habits. Although many drivers place a high priority on price, this can occasionally result in the purchase of products that are completely inappropriate for their intended use, which at best could result in a false economy and at worst could actually compromise safety.
Always remember that while every vehicle's tyre tread is its sole point of contact with the ground, the air trapped inside the tyre is what propels it forward.
To get the best performance out of your tyres, the pressure must be set correctly.
You have a variety of brands and options to pick from on our online sales platform. To help you learn more about the tyres we sell and install, our Support Team is available.
Please call the team in the first instance if you are unsure about the compatibility of a product or are simply unsure which to purchase. We are not here to try to sell you anything in particular; instead, we will talk to you about how you drive, how your car is loaded, and many other things as necessary before recommending the best tyre.