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EUROPEAN TYRE LABEL:
 WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

Tips & Advice for Car, SUV & Van tyres

Choosing the right tyres for your vehicle is not an easy task. There are many parameters that must be considered before you buy them. With the current economic and ecological context, it is even more important to be well informed in order to purchase the best tyres in terms of longevity, safety and fuel efficiency. That is what European tyre labels are made for.

EU tyre label : description and marking

EU tyre label at a glance

The European Commission introduced the tyre labels in Europe in 2012 to help you make the smartest choice.
It requires each Passenger Cars tyres, SUV tyres and Van tyres to have a label, providing clear information on tyre performance (wet grip ratings, fuel efficiency ratings and noise levels).

These grade levels are reported by tyre manufacturers themselves, according to the tests results whose methods have been defined at European level.  

EU tyre label reinforced

Since May 1st, 2021, these EU tyre labels have been reinforced. These changes are mainly driven by the Union’s 2030 climate and energy policy, encouraging the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

How to read the new EU tyre label?

fuel

The new regulation is introducing many changes on the label. Use below tyre label guide to understand them:

Standard tyre information

This part is giving you information on the Trade name or trademark of the supplier, tyre type identifier, tyre size designation, tyre class (i.e. C1, C2 or C3).
 

Grading levels

One of the major changes is about the grading level for rolling resistance and wet braking which are now reduced to 5 levels starting from A (most efficient) to E (least efficient).

The snow grip (“3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake") and/or the “Ice grip”  symbols can appear next to the “External noise” symbol when a tyre is eligible.

01

Tyre energy efficiency

1 TANK OF FUEL OUT OF 5
on average is consumed for tyres

With each rotation of the wheel, a tyre is deformed when it comes into contact with the road. As its structure is deformed, the tyre heats up and some of the energy is lost. Reducing this heat build-up makes it possible to lower fuel consumption and, consequently, greenhouse gas emissions. The tyre-related force that impedes a vehicle’s forward movement is called "rolling resistance"

fuel efficiency uk

£148 (1)

is the reduction in fuel costs on average for a vehicle fitted with A-rated tyres compared with one equipped with E-rated tyres.

The "Fuel efficiency” grades are revised by deleting class D (previously empty).
e.g.: a tyre noted E previously on one of these criteria becomes D.

02

Tyre wet grip

BRAKING DISTANCE ON WET ROADS
1 millisecond

The tyre is the vehicle’s only point of contact with the road. At 80 km/h, it has less than 1 millisecond to guide the vehicle, accelerate or brake. The tyre is an important vehicle safety component. Its purpose is to grip the road, regardless of the condition of the pavement (deteriorated or well-paved), the road configuration (straight or curved) or the weather conditions (dry or rainy).

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9 m

is the reduction in braking distance on average for a vehicle travelling at 80 km/h and equipped with A-rated tyres compared with one fitted with D-rated tyres (2).

The "wet grip” grades are revised by deleting class D (previously empty. e.g.: a tyre noted E previously on one of these criteria becomes D).

03

Tyre noise levels

ENVIRONMENTAL NOISE
is evaluated in decibel (dB)

The 3 waves are now replaced by a letter: A, B or C (3 waves = C).
Traffic noise is an auditory nuisance. For a vehicle moving at a constant speed of 80 km/h, the noise generated by the tyre rolling on the road is generally superior to engine noise. This rolling noise depends on the type of tyres as well as on the road surface.
 

mtg etiq illus 03 hd f39 noise


An A-rated tyre is HALF NOISY than a B-rated tyre (3).

New pictograms

The new European labelling will also include:

A QR code

in the top-right corner of the label.
Scan this code to download more information on the tyre. It is associated with a European database (EPREL) providing all the information related to the tyre label, as well as a product information sheet.

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3PMSF symbol
3 Peaks Mountain Snow Flake

Tyres marked “3PMSF” are the only ones to guarantee real winter performance by being specifically designed for snow use and having fulfilled all of the requirements through objective testing(4)

30 m(5)

At 50 km/h, a winter tyre brakes 30 m shorter in average on snowy roads, compared to a summer tyre(5).

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ICE GRIP symbol
Braking distance on ice 

As the unique point of contact with the road, the tyre is essential to keep your safety on icy roads encountered in Nordic countries for instance. This is why the performance on ice is now recognized by this new "Ice Grip" pictogram, highlighting the shorter braking distance of such tyres on ice.

1,4 m(6)

At 20 km/h, an ice grip tyre brakes at least 1,4 m shorter on ice than the reference All Season tyre.(6)
Ice grip tyres are specifically designed for road surfaces covered with ice and compact snow, and should only be used in very severe climate conditions (e.g. cold temperatures). Using ice grip tyres in less severe climate conditions (e.g. wet conditions or warmer temperatures) could result in sub‐optimal performance, in particular for wet grip, handling and wear.

What else can I do to improve fuel efficiency and road safety?

The way you drive is also highly impacting your fuel consumption and road safety. Thankfully, there are many tips you can adopt to improve them:

Eco-driving

is one of them. Driving smooth and gently can significantly help to reduce your fuel consumption; You can find more tips and advice here.

Stopping distances

must also always be respected. Keeping safety distances will enable you to anticipate and use your engine brake to slow your car. 

Tyre pressure 

has to be checked regularly (especially before long trips) to optimise fuel efficiency and wet grip.  Learn how to check your tyre pressure here

Organise

your trip and check the traffic before you go, you will save time and fuel! Try Via Michelin to plan your itinerary

scott clark

Scott Clark
MICHELIN Executive Vice President

Automotive, Motorsport, Experiences, and Americas Region
Member of the Group Executive Committee

Michelin innovative spirit

Michelin’s continuous improvements aim at offering a mobility that is safe, efficient, accessible to everyone and greener. The innovation is in the heart of each tyre we make.
As you can see, environmental issues are central to our strategic priorities. To reduce its environmental footprint more quickly, Michelin has pledged to lower CO2 emissions from all its production facilities by 50% by 2030 compared with 2010, with the ultimate goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Michelin is also developing solutions to use renewable or recycled materials to manufacture its tires, while enhancing their performance even more. By 2030, MICHELIN tires will be 20% more energy efficient than they were in 2010. Tomorrow, everything will be sustainable! »

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Legal mentions

(1) Based on savings of 150 liters of fuel over a distance of 40,000 km at 1.15€ per liter (weighted average). The effect may change depending on the vehicle and driving conditions. Performance measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

(2) Performance of braking from 80 km/h to 20 km/h, measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

(3) Noise is measured on a vehicle travelling at 80 km/h with the engine switched off, measured in accordance with the test method set in the regulation UN ECE R117.

(4) Brake efficiency test under winter conditions according to the ETRTO method (European Tyre and Rim Technical Organisation).

(5) Average difference in the braking distance of a winter tyre compared to a summer tyre. Braking distance on a snowy surface from 50 to 0 km/h. TÜV SÜD 2013 tests, on 205/55 R16, conducted at -5°C.

(6) Performance of braking on ice from 20 km/h to 5 km/h, measured in accordance with the test method set in the ISO Norm 19447.

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