Replacing your old tyres can be a confusing task if you’re not familiar with tyre labeling and all the relevant information you need to know to make an informed decision. In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know when it comes to understanding tyre labels and other essential information designed to keep you safe on the road.
Deciphering Tyre Labels: What Do They Mean?
Rolling resistance: The tyre’s rolling resistance tells motorists how fuel efficient the tyre is. This will be rated from A to E on the label (A being the most efficient, E being the least), and will show a tyre symbol and fuel pump above the coloured rating chart.
Wet grip: Secondly, you’ll find wet grip ratings on the label, iconised with a tyre, water droplets and a rain cloud. The rating will again be between A and E on the blue chart (A being the shortest braking distance and E being the longest).
Tyre noise: Lastly, at the bottom of the label there will be a rating for noise. This is measured in decibels from outside the vehicle. The lower the number, the quieter the tyre is.
Old vs. new: A comparison of the EU tyre labels
EU tyre labels from 2021 onwards include additional information as part of new regulations aimed to help consumers make better decisions when it comes to buying tyres. The new EU tyre label not only includes fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise ratings, but also gives an indication of the tyre’s performance in snow and ice. If either the snow tyre icon or the ice tyre icon are present on the label, the tyre meets certain requirements for performance on snow and ice. Look out for the 3PMSF listed beneath winter tyres to ensure they can provide trusted performance in snowy conditions. Take a look at the Bridgestone Blizzak LM001 as an example.
You may also notice that the ratings for rolling resistance and wet grip are on a 5 point scale instead of the previous 7 point scale of A-G.
Essential Information
The three main pieces of information found on every EU tyre label are the most essential characteristics to bear in mind when it comes to purchasing new tyres. To make the best decision when it’s time for a new set, it is important to understand why noise levels, wet braking performance and fuel efficiency are key factors to consider.
NOISE
Noise ratings consider the amount of external noise the tyre makes. For those who are environmentally conscious, a low noise rating is important as it reduces the impact of your driving on those around you. The noise level of the tyre is measured in decibels and can be found on the bottom of the label, with a rating of A, B or C. Around 67-71dB is considered as a low noise level. If you’re conscious of noise efficiency, take a look at our recommendations for the best tyres for low road noise.
WET BRAKING
The wet grip rating is an important factor to consider as it provides an indication of the tyre’s wet braking performance. The rating shows how much the tyre grips the road in wet and rainy conditions, providing an understanding of how well the tyre will perform when braking in wet weather. The higher the wet grip rating is, the shorter the braking distance will be. Weather conditions can significantly affect stopping distance so it is important to consider these factors when it comes to purchasing new tyres.
FUEL EFFICIENCY
Knowing the fuel efficiency of your new tyres will save you money on fuel costs in the long run. Fuel efficiency is calculated by the tyre’s rolling resistance and is rated between A to E. A high fuel efficiency rating also contributes to lower Co2 emissions meaning the tyre is better for the environment.
How to identify the type of tyre?
EU tyre labels also include information about the tyre including the manufacturer, the size of the tyre and also the type of tyre, for example if this is an all-season, summer, winter, all-terrain, performance tyre or a run-flat. This information can be found toward the top of the label just above the fuel efficiency and wet grip ratings.
How to read a tyre date code?
There is more information to know about your tyres that can’t be found on the label, and is instead found on the tyre’s markings. This is more relevant for your current tyres as opposed to when purchasing new ones. One piece of important information is the date the tyre was manufactured, which can be found on the tyre’s sidewall as a 4 digit number. The first two digits represent the week the tyre was manufactured, and the last two digits represent the year of manufacture. For example, the code: 3023 would mean the tyre was manufactured in the 30th week of 2023.
How to read tyre pressure?
A tyre’s sidewall also includes information about the maximum tyre pressure it is able to withstand. It is displayed on the sidewall near where the tyre meets the wheel trim. This information is not the recommended tyre pressure, however. To find your recommended tyre pressure, we recommend looking in your vehicle’s manual. To read your tyre pressure correctly it is important to know how it is measured. The most popular unit of measurement is PSI (pounds per square inch). Once you know your recommended PSI, you can use a tyre pressure gauge to measure the pressure in your tyres. It is important to regularly check your tyre pressure, as correct tyre pressures play a significant role in tyre safety.
Tyre markings explained: Snowy mountain and M+S
Further markings may also be found on a tyre’s sidewall if it performs particularly well in snowy conditions or mud and snow. These labels are dedicated to winter tyres that have been designed to perform well in challenging conditions.
3PMSF: The snowy mountain icon on the sidewall of the tyre is also known as the 3 Peak Mountain Showflake (3PMSF) and certifies that a tyre is designed for reliable performance in snow and other winter conditions.
M+S: The M+S marking on the tyre’s sidewall stands for mud and snow, and is given to tyres which are designed to perform well in winter conditions, particularly muddy or snowy terrain.
Motorists who live in places with more mud or snow, or regularly drive in winter conditions should look out for these markings to ensure they have safe and reliable winter tyres that can perform well on challenging terrains.
Check your tyre’s sidewall markings for further information pertaining to their performance and efficiency.
Conclusion
Now that you’re familiar with all the markings and labelling that comes with buying new tyres, and all the information you should consider, it’s time to start finding your new set. If you’re in need of a replacement, Asda Tyres offer a wide range of high quality tyres from leading brands.