New UK tyre laws and labelling
The new EU legislation for tyre labelling has been put into effect this month, with manufacturers now legally obliged to provide ‘traffic light’ ratings for their tyres’ performance in three areas: wet braking, noise, and rolling resistance – each rated between A and G. These ratings are intended to help consumers choose the best possible tyres for their vehicle, saving them money and improving the performance and safety of their cars, as well as giving significant environmental savings in terms of carbon emissions.
Jean-Pierre Jeusette, Goodyear’s director for the Luxembourg Innovation Centre, explains: “The label has a huge potential impact – financially, environmentally and on road safety across Europe. Our analysis shows that if all European vehicles ran on A-graded tyres, it would save €84 billion in fuel and reduce CO2 emissions by 20 million tons. Choosing an A-graded passenger car tyre for wet braking compared to a G-rated one could mean a 30% shorter braking distance on a wet road – stopping up to 18 meters earlier.”
In theory this means customers should be able to judge the quality of their tyres with a single glance. However, some tyre specialists, such as Michael Staude of TÜV SÜD Automotive, are worried that the ratings still do not provide enough information to give consumers the whole picture. “Many specific performance aspects are simply not reflected by the information displayed on the label,” Staude claims, “Winter tyres are a very good example. It is a limitation that purchasers need to be aware of. You need to ask further questions of your tyre dealer and not expect the label to tell you everything you need to know.”
It’s always a good idea to ask questions about the tyres you are purchasing, and find a tyre specialist you can trust to give you advice on the best tyres for your car. You need to weigh up cost with performance in order to suit both your budget and your vehicle – whether you choose budget tyres, premium tyres or winter tyres. And remember, for affordable and high quality tyres, Grippy is always happy to help you find the right tyres for you, with mobile tyre fitting across Greater London and Northamptonshire.