Tire label

EU tire label

The tire label is a label for motor vehicle tires . According to the stipulations of the EU regulation on the labeling of tires , manufacturers of tires for passenger cars and light and heavy commercial vehicles have had to state the fuel efficiency class , the wet grip class and the class of external rolling noise including the corresponding measured value for each product since November 1st, 2012 . For this purpose, a 75 × 110 mm label in accordance with Annex II of the EU Regulation on the Marking of Tires must either be attached as a sticker on the tread of each tire or as a printed label attached to every batch of identical tires (Article 4 (1) EU Regulation No. 1222 / 2009).

This information must also be included in the technical promotional material. The tire label will use a classification starting with the best (green category “A”) to the worst performance (red category “G”) (Article 4 (3) of EU Regulation No. 1222/2009).

This initiative results from a proposal by the EU Commission from 2008. It is part of the Action Plan for Energy Efficiency , which aims to improve the efficiency of products, buildings and services in order to reduce energy consumption by 20% by 2020. The EU has already created a system for labeling electrical household appliances such as refrigerators, washing machines and televisions in order to better inform Europeans about the level of their energy consumption (source: European Commission).

Colored scales classify rolling resistance and wet braking. Grade A is the top grade here.

Rolling resistance

The rolling resistance is the decisive parameter in the measurement of the energy efficiency of a tire, and thus has a direct influence on the fuel consumption of the vehicle. This basically depends on the vehicle or vehicle type and the driving conditions. The rolling resistance as force is obtained by multiplying the rolling resistance coefficient CR with the heavy mass of the vehicle. For the three tire classes C1 (cars), C2 (light commercial vehicles) and C3 (heavy commercial vehicles), the categories A to G are assigned rolling resistance coefficients in kg / ton. A C1 tire with the green “A” category consumes 0.1 l less fuel per 100 km than a “B” -classified tire.

A distinction is made between efficiency classes A to G, with class D not being awarded. Based on an average consumption of 6.6 l / 100 km, the consumption increases as follows:

Efficiency class	A.	B.	C.	D.	E.	F.	G
More consumption compared to the next better class	no	up to 0.10 l / 100km	up to 0.12 l / 100km	(not applicable)	up to 0.14 l / 100km	up to 0.15 l / 100km	more than 0.15 l / 100km
More consumption compared to class A.	no	up to 0.10 l / 100km	up to 0.22 l / 100km	(not applicable)	up to 0.36 l / 100km	up to 0.51 l / 100km	more than 0.66 l / 100km

The European Commission assumes that switching from tires with rolling resistance class G to tires with rolling resistance class A saves around 5.51 - 6.85% fuel. In relation to the service life of tires, this is a not inconsiderable savings potential. For example, with tires running at 30,000 km, an initial consumption of 6 liters of diesel per 100 km and a diesel price of € 1.30 / l, savings of € 129–161 result.

Wet grip

This is based on the braking performance in the wet (deceleration or maximum braking force coefficient) compared to a standard reference test tire. (Annex 5, Article 4 of EU Regulation No. 1222/2009).

On an average non-slip road surface, the braking distance increases when braking from 80 km / h as follows:

Braking class	A.	B.	C.	D.	E.	F.	G
Braking distance	+ 0 m	+ 3 m	+ 4 m	(not applicable)	+ 5 m	+ 6 m	(not applicable)
cumulative braking distance extension	+ 0 m	+ 3 m	+ 7 m	(not applicable)	+ 12 m	+ 18 m	(not applicable)

Noise emission

The pass-by noise is given as an absolute value in decibels and as a three-class system as a sound wave symbol. The reference value is the EU limit value for the maximum pass-by noise. The black stripes on the symbol indicate compliance with or falling below the limit values:

Stripes	Explanation
Three	Compliance with the EU limit valid until 2016
Two	Compliance with or falling below (up to 3 dB) the EU limit value valid from 2016
A	Falling below the EU limit valid from 2016 by more than 3 dB

A continuous sound level above 80 decibels can lead to health problems.

Tires with mandatory labeling

The tire label generally applies to:

Car tires
Transporter tires
Truck tires

The tire label does not apply to:

Retreaded tires
Tires without road approval, e.g. B. racing tires
T-spare tires
Vintage tires
Motorcycle tires
Earthmoving machine tires
Farm tires

Information requirements

Tire manufacturer

Provision of the EU tire label as a sticker or in separate form.
Provision of the tire label values as part of product communication.

Tire dealer

Information on or with the invoice.
Tire labels must be clearly visible in the sales room or actively shown to the end user.

Vehicle manufacturer

If you have the option of choosing a tire when buying a new vehicle, the reviews must be made accessible.

EU commission

Detailed information about the content and form of the label
EU member states must organize market surveillance and impose penalties for non-compliance.

criticism

The newly created label informs customers about three criteria: rolling resistance , wet grip and noise emissions. However, there are many other performance factors. Among other things, dry grip is not taken into account, although driving on dry roads is by far the most common usage scenario. Other factors not taken into account are:

Aquaplaning properties
Driving stability
Steering precision
Abrasion (fine dust) or wear
lifespan
Braking properties
Behavior in winter conditions
Rolling noise in the interior of the vehicle

More tire labels

Switzerland

In Switzerland , the design of the tire label is regulated in Appendix 4.2 of the Energy Efficiency Ordinance. It is based on EU regulation 1222/2009 and has been mandatory since August 1, 2014.

Japan

In Japan there is a rating similar to the EU tire label. Two criteria, rolling resistance and wet grip, are assessed here. The rolling resistance scale is divided into 5 classes (AAA, AA, A, B, C) that of wet grip in 4 classes (a, b, c, d).

South Korea

The tire label in South Korea also evaluates 2 criteria, rolling resistance and wet grip. Both are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 (1 is the best grade).