Tyre Labelling
(EC/1222/2009)
June 2012
Tyre Labelling
• Tyres will be graded according
to wet grip, fuel efficiency and
external noise.
• The presentation will be based
on the familiar EU energy
efficiency label.
Note for car, 4x4 and van tyres: class D is not used so there
are only 6 classes for Fuel efficiency.
In addition, for Wet grip class G is also not used so there
are only 5 classes for Wet grip.
Sample label
What does the label mean?
FUEL EFFICIENCY (Rolling Resistance)
7.5% loss of fuel economy between best and worst class (average)
WET GRIP (Braking Performance)
30% shorter braking distance between best and worst class (average)
Effect may vary among vehicles and driving conditions, but in the case of full braking, the difference
between a G and an A class for a set of four identical tyres could be up to 30% shorter braking
distance (e.g. for a typical passenger car driving at 80 km/h speed this could be up to 18m shorter
braking distance).
NOISE (Exterior Rolling Noise – not cabin noise)
Measured in decibels
3 black bars: above future EU limit, complies with current S Mark
2 black bars: meets future EU limit
1 black bar: at least 3 dB below the future EU limit
When does the Regulation come into force?
• Manufacturers and importers will have to provide information
regarding the performance of tyres they supply in the EU that
were manufactured from 1st July 2012.
• From 1st November 2012 retailers in the EU will have to
provide consumers with information regarding the
performance of tyres offered for sale that were manufactured
from 1st July 2012. (Date of production code 2712 or greater).
What about tyres manufactured before 1st July 2012?
• Operators throughout the supply chain will have to manage a
transition period while stocks contain tyres made both before
and after 1st July 2012.
• Some manufacturers or importers may choose to label tyres
made before 1st July 2012 but the Regulation does not
require them to do so.
• We will not carry out retrospective labelling of tyres already
in the supply chain that were made before 1st July 2012
Other factors to consider
The new EU labels show wet grip (stopping distance in a straight line), exterior noise
and fuel efficiency data only.
What else is important?
• Dry handling
• Dry grip (straight line)
• Dry grip (circles/cornering)
• Wet handling
• Wet grip (circles/cornering)
• Resistance to aquaplaning (straight/curved)
• High-speed stability
• Interior noise
• Tread wear
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Not on label
Factors determining tyre performances
10%
20%
Dry handling
20%
Wet braking
12%
Wet handling
Exterior noise
Interior noise
5%
Wear
5%
Fuel efficiency
28%
ADAC test criteria percentages
Factors determining tyre performances
Fuel efficiency,
10%
Dry handling ,
20%
Wear, 20%
Wet braking,
12%
Interior noise,
5%
Exterior noise,
5%
Wet handling,
28%
ADAC test criteria percentages
Other factors to consider
Actual fuel savings and road safety depend heavily on the
behaviour of drivers:
- eco-driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption
- tyre pressures should be regularly checked to optimise
wet grip and fuel efficiency performance
- stopping distances should always be strictly respected
Talking points
• The new label does not address every factor which is critical
to overall tyre performance
• Other important criteria include but are not limited to:
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Dynamic handling in wet and dry
Dry braking performance
Resistance to straight and curved line aquaplaning
High speed performance
Stability
Wear versus cost (value for money)
• The following spider graphs demonstrate Cooper and Avon
products’ performance against competition in some of these
other areas
Talking points
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•
•
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As an EU replacement market manufacturer our emphasis has been on
maintaining Wet Grip and Wear performance whilst being mindful of the
environmental benefits of lower Rolling Resistance tyres
Dynamic Handling Properties in wet and dry conditions have been a major
consideration in the development of our products
To meet vehicle manufacturers’ environmental requirements OE tyre
manufacturers have had to focus on Rolling Resistance. This could be at the
expense of other factors such as wear
It’s important to remember that the benefits of low Rolling Resistance tyres can be
adversely affected by under inflation
Avon ZZ5 vs competition
Avon ZV5 vs competition
Cooper CS6 vs competition
Cooper WM-SA2 vs competition