When choosing tires for our vehicles, the main indicators we pay attention to are width, profile and diameter. Additionally, we may look at the country of origin and, of course, the price. We rarely pay attention to the label with icons and letters on it. And the truth is that they say the most about the tire we choose. And what exactly, we are already sketching.
Let's start with the fact that the obligation to label tires began on November 1, 2012. It was introduced by the European Union, specifically Regulation No. 1222/2009. Thanks to it, tires sold in the EU must have special labels containing information about their performance, such as fuel efficiency, wet grip and noise level. This data on labels must be presented legibly. We know such labels well from home appliance stores, where we can find energy labels on various appliances, such as refrigerators and TVs. From May 1, 2021, the so-called labeling has been updated and two additional pieces of information have appeared on the labels.
A parameter marked on the tire in a quite meaningful way. Its symbol is a fuel dispenser, which clearly indicates what this property has the greatest impact on. It is classified with letters from A to E, with A being the best in this respect. According to numerous studies conducted by tire manufacturers, the results provide clear statistics - tires influence 40% of the operating costs of a car fleet . Where did this result come from? This means that although the purchase of tires alone is only 5%, fuel is 30%. The remaining 5% is made up of repairs and maintenance. This clearly shows that since the quality of the selected tires affects the cost of fuel consumption, thanks to the appropriate choice we can achieve measurable savings.
And why, smart as it sounds, does rolling resistance have such an impact on fuel consumption? This can be justified in a simple way: the tire wears out during operation when it is in contact with the ground, which causes it to lose energy. And these losses are called rolling resistance or simply energy efficiency. Tires with lower rolling resistance generate less mechanical resistance, which translates into fuel savings and better driving efficiency. This is influenced by the structure of the tire itself and the material used to produce it. The difference between efficiency classes is approximately 5% fuel savings.
An additional aspect is the impact on the environment, which is why the highest class marking is green. No one will reinvent the wheel here by saying that the lower the fuel consumption, the less exhaust gases enter the air. Ecology in its purest form.
Important information for the industry that is closest to us, i.e. trucking. The highest rolling resistance occurs on the trailing axle, approximately 55%. Therefore, it is extremely important to choose the best tires for this axle.
The wet grip rating reflects how well tires perform on wet roads or wet conditions. The higher the class on the label, the better the tires maintain grip, which means shorter braking distances and greater safety.
The wet grip rating on the label is based on letters, usually from A (best) to E (worst). Tires rated A or B provide excellent traction on wet roads, while lower-rated tires may have difficulty maintaining traction in the rain.
When choosing tires, it is worth paying attention to the wet grip rating, especially if we live in an area with frequent rainfall or drive on wet roads. Tires with better grip on wet surfaces help avoid dangerous situations and increase overall driving safety.
With this parameter, the most important aspect is being environmentally friendly. The quieter the tire, the better for the road environment . Manufacturers also place great emphasis on ensuring that the products leaving their factories have as little rolling noise as possible. It also improves traveling conditions, because even when we are inside the vehicle, sounds from outside also reach us. The rolling noise level is expressed in decibels (dB) and is represented on the label by a wave icon symbol, where numbers from 1 to 3 waves indicate the noise level.
From the previously mentioned 2021, labels placed on newly manufactured products will have additional symbols, but very important ones. The first one, shown as the popular "snowflake", indicates that a given tire can handle winter conditions, specifically snow. Such a symbol cannot be obtained just like that, tests are necessary in appropriate conditions (appropriate air temperature, angle of inclination and snow thickness). Not only strictly winter tires are marked in this way, but also all-season tires and those that have passed these tests. If you find the marking 3PMSF (Three-Peak Mountain Snow Flake) next to the tire name, it means that the product you have chosen will work well in winter conditions. Manufacturers also use the M+S marking, which is only a declaration that the tire can cope with difficult conditions such as snow or mud (translated as "mud and snow")
The last icon - ice grip - appears in passenger car tires. For it to appear, it is necessary to meet the appropriate ISO standard.
The answer is simple – NO. This obligation is imposed on manufacturers of tires for passenger trucks and delivery vans. The same provision applies to tires mounted on trailers, semi-trailers and buses.
Primarily retreaded tires and motorcycle tires are exempt from this obligation. But not only that, but also those dedicated to vintage vehicles and those used in various rallies.
We hope that if you haven't paid attention to what the labels mean, this will change from now on. You will start to consciously buy tires for your vehicles, taking into account the conditions in which they will be used. Since a wide range of tires appeared in our network, we have been placing great emphasis on the quality of the products offered. On our website, you will find the appropriate indicators from the labels in the description. Visit our website: www.autos.com.pl/opony and buy consciously. 
