Tyres Talk - Feb 2013 - New Tyre Labelling System Explained

Goodyear tyre experts Andy Clarkson & Paul Berrington joined us for our AGM on 6th February, 2013 to give us the inside track on tyres and explain the EU tyre labelling system which went into effect in November of 2012.

Andy and Paul started out by describing the different tread characteristics of summer and winter tyres. They then went on to speak about the new EU- mandated labelling system which is designed to allow consumers to compare tyres for fuel efficiency, wet grip and rolling noise.

The new labels have three parameters:

• Rolling resistance (which translates to fuel efficiency). The levels are A – G, where tyres with resistance level A should use 7.5% less fuel than level G.

  • Goodyear tell us that 20% of a passenger car’s fuel consumption is influenced by the tyres (“Influenced” is a quote here). As 7.5% of 20% is 1.5%, this could translate into a savings of about 2p a litre of fuel at 130p a litre.

• Wet Grip also has levels A – G and the difference in braking at 50 m.p.h. on wet roads between A and G is around 18 metres (or about 20 yards in natural units).

• Tyre Exterior Noise Levels are shown with a picture and a decibel rating (dB).

  • The system uses decibels of power or energy so that a tyre whose noise rating is 3dB higher is twice as noisy. Noise is allowed to vary by 4 times (i.e., 6dB). Drivers who can’t find the ideal radio station to listen to may find this of great benefit.

While the new labelling system provides good information, it is also notable for what it does not tell us such as a tyre’s resistance to aquaplaning (i.e., how effectively does the tread squeeze water out), ideal tread patterns for winter and summer (Goodyear has winter and summer tread patterns that are different) and so on.

The burden is still on the driver to know what his or her tyres need to be able to do and to ask good questions of the tyre seller.

John Duncan