Tyre Labelling
Different Types of Tyre – Tyre Labelling
So what tyre manufacturer and model is best for you?
This is a discussion that could take place all day, or longer. Every tyre manufacturer makes good tyres and they all have to meet the various standards imposed on them.
You do tend to get what you pay for with tyres, it isn’t that cheap tyres are bad, it’s just the more expensive tyres are better. But not necessarily in the areas you would expect. Just because you buy Michelin’s top of the range tyre, doesn’t mean it will last 50,000 miles.
You may have chosen a tyre that is extremely effective in wet conditions and therefore very good at transferring stopping power to the road and effective when aquaplaning, but there is a trade-off for that type of performance, it may not last as long as other tyres.
What does all this mean?
The tyre labelling system enables buyers to make more informed decisions and further increase the safety and the environmental/economic efficiency of road users.
A grading system is used on certain elements of the tyre: Fuel efficiency, Wet Grip are graded A-E (A=Best, E=Worst) and Noise is graded A-C (A=Best, C=Worst). Newly added for 2021 a Snow and Ice approval.
Fuel Efficiency
Fuel efficiency symbol for approval on both internal combustion engine vehicles and electric vehicles.
i.e. an A graded tyre will be more fuel efficient than a E graded tyre.
Wet Grip
According to the “European Commission’s impact assessment SEC (2008) 2860” the difference between the highest and lowest rated tyre could be up to 30% shorter braking distance.
Noise Rating - Tyre Labelling
Is fairly self-explanatory, the lower the grade the louder the tyre is. A being the quietest to C being the loudest.
Snow Grip - Tyre Labelling
3 peak mountain with snowflake symbol
This pictogram shows whether the tyre meets the minimum requirement for traction and braking in severe snow conditions.
Ice Grip - Tyre Labelling
Icicle symbol for Nordic winter tyres.
This pictogram shows whether the tyre meets the minimum requirement for traction and braking in severe icey conditions.
Watch this short video on tyre labelling.
