WHY HAS TYRE LABELLING BEEN INTRODUCED?
SO WHO DECIDES HOW THE TYRES SCORE?
UNDERSTANDING A TYRE LABEL
FUEL EFFICIENCY
Choosing a tyre with a higher rated fuel efficiency will give you more miles per gallon.
Fuel efficiency is rated from A to G on a colour-coded scale:
A (green) = highest fuel efficiency rating
G (red) = lowest fuel efficiency rating
The difference between an A rating and a G rating could mean a reduction in fuel consumption of up to 7.5%.
WET GRIP
The scale focuses on the wet braking performance of the tyre. The patterns cut into a tyre’s surface (tread) are designed to help water dispersal, and this is another key research area for tyre manufacturers.
Wet grip is rated from A to F:
A = highest rating (that is the shortest wet braking distance)
F = lowest rating (that is the longest wet braking distance).
The ratings are measured with braking distances when cars travelling at 50mph. The difference in the wet braking distance between a car fitted with tyres classed as ‘A’ compared to ‘F’ is over 10 metres. That’s equivalent to 2 car lengths!
NOISE
The EU labels shows the measurement of external noise emissions of the tyre in decibels.
For consumers unfamiliar with measurement by decibels the black waves show a pictorial idea of where the tyre fits into the scale of noise emission:
1 black wave: Quiet
2 black waves: Moderate
3 black waves: Noisy
WHY HAS TYRE LABELLING BEEN INTRODUCED?
HOW WE CAN HELP
The more information you as customers have in making your tyre purchase the more confidence you have in making the purchase. The reception staff in our Dromore and Lisburn depots are experienced in walking you through this purchase decision and are constantly updating their knowledge of tyres available. Our tyre stock covers the whole spectrum from budget to brand. And what we don’t have in stock we will get for you or advise you on a suitable alternative.
I hope you have found this simple guide to tyre labelling helpful. Feel free to give us a call to discuss the options for your car.
