The labels on new tyres tell you much more than just the size of the tyre. They also tell you the maximum load the tyre can carry the speed rating and the wet grip performance. The EU has introduced a new regulation called ‘Tyre Labeling’.
This new regulation aims to help drivers make more informed choices about the tyres they buy. The labels will show how well a tyre performs in three areas: wet grip, rolling resistance and noise. This will allow drivers to compare different tyres and choose the best ones for them.
The wet grip performance is critical, as it tells you how well a RoadX tyres Pontypool will perform in wet weather conditions—the higher the number, the better the wet road performance.
What Will Be On New Tyre Labels?
The following labels are being introduced on 1st November 2012:
Wet grip lettering W to Z, with A as the best rating for wet grip. This is a more robust labelling system than before and covers all tyre sizes.
· Tyre energy label which shows you three things:
· How much fuel your vehicle can save compared to the reference tyre. The greater the area of green, the more considerable the saving. At present only passenger car tyres are covered by this regulation but it will apply to other categories of vehicles in future including vans, light commercial vehicles and 4 x 4s. Our calculations show that the average driver of a van could save up to £180 a year on fuel, and the average driver of a 4 x 4 could save up to £325 a year on energy.
· The tyre’s environmental impact (in CO2 emissions) over its entire life cycle, from manufacture to disposal.
· The tyre’s durability or ‘life-cycle cost’. Based on fuel savings and replacement costs, this is an estimate of how much it will cost you to run the tyre over its entire life.
Maximum load lettering in kilograms e.g. 100. This tells you the maximum weight that the tyre can carry. You should always choose a tyre capable of carrying the weight of your vehicle.
Speed rating in miles per hour (mph). This tells you the maximum speed that the tyre is capable of. You should always choose a tyre suitable for your vehicle’s top speed.
Noise emission rating in decibels (dB). This tells you how loud the tyre is when travelling at 50 mph. The lower the rating, the quieter the tyre.
The new tyre labels will be introduce on 1st November. They will show how well a tyre performs in three areas: wet grip, rolling resistance and noise.
The tyre label shows CO2 emissions over the tyre’s entire life cycle. The title shows how much fuel you could save by using a specific tyre. The brand offers the noise level of the tyre.
How Will New Tyre Labels Affect Me?
The new labels give drivers more information to help them buy better quality, safer tyres for their vehicles. This means these are likely to last longer, provide improved safety levels and better fuel economy.
However, suppose you travel regularly on unsurfaced roads or in off-road conditions. In that case, you will unlikely see any significant benefit from the additional features of the new labelling system as they are specifically intend for use on seal roads.
What Do Motorists Need To Know About The Changes?
Drivers should always buy tyres that match their vehicles’ requirements in terms of size, load and speed capability. Tyres that do not match these requirements may affect your vehicle’s handling, braking and stability if you drive beyond the limits set out in the manufacturer’s handbook. The new tyre labels will help you show how well a tyre performs across three key areas: wet grip, fuel efficiency and noise emissions.
By allowing drivers to choose more safely and economically by selecting tyres with lower rolling resistance, better-wet grip performance and less noise, we hope that these labels will contribute towards reducing accidents on our roads through safer driving behaviour such as slower speeds, more judicious use of acceleration and braking together with the increased adoption of tyre pressure monitoring systems.
How Do Tyre Labels Help Me Choose Better Tyres?
Until now tyre labelling has provided limited information to consumers about the actual performance of tyres. The new label, which goes into immediate effect, will give drivers more detailed information about how well a particular tyre performs in three areas: wet grip, fuel efficiency and noise emissions. The new labels allow drivers to choose safer and more Economical Car Tyres Pontypool by providing better-wet grip performance, lower rolling resistance and less noise.
The introduction of the new labelling system is part of VCA’s Duty Of Care campaign launch last year; it encourages motorists to make sure their vehicles are properly maintain and service to keep themselves, their passengers and other road users safe.