EU tyre labelling legislation comes into force but will it save money or improve safety?

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From 1st November a new Europe-wide tyre labelling system will come into effect. It is being brought in to increase road safety, help make driving more cost effective and reduce the environmental impact caused by tyres. It will apply to all car, 4×4, SUV, van and lorry tyres.

Similar to the labels used on white goods, the tyre labelling system will give tyres an energy efficiency rating of A to G, and more importantly for cash-strapped motorists will allow them to judge  the fuel efficiency of the tyre making it easier for them to reduce fuel consumption dependent on the tyre they choose.

For instance two differences between A and G rated tyres are:

A 7.5% difference in fuel consumption
18 metre stopping distance (the length of 8 smart cars)

However while, tyre labeling is a good starting point, experts believe the label won’t tell drivers everything they need to know. That is because the new label tests and grades just three criteria while most magazines test around 15 performance characteristics but the tyre manufacturers themselves test over 50 parameters.

What motorists won’t be able to tell about their tyres from the new labeling system are things such as how long a tyre will last, how they perform in snow, how they cope with aquaplaning, dry braking, steering precision and high speed stability,  going off road, getting through muddy terrain and winter or cold weather driving.

The labels will however take into account wet grip and external rolling noise.

Click here to watch our video with HiQ expert Paul Berrington to hear more about how the EU tyre labelling legislation.