How to read the EU tyre label

When you buy a new tyre, you'll see a coloured label on it similar to the ones on fridges or washing machines. This is the European Union tyre label, and it is also found on most tyres sold in Turkey. The label lets you compare different tyres on the same criteria.

The current label, in use since 2021, also has a QR code. Scanning this code opens the tyre's official information page in the European product database (EPREL).

The three main pieces of information on the label

1. Fuel efficiency (rolling resistance)

The fuel pump symbol at the top left and the green-to-red scale show the tyre's rolling resistance. The classes run from A to E.

• A: Lowest rolling resistance, lowest fuel consumption
• E: Highest rolling resistance

Depending on conditions of use, the difference between an A-class and an E-class tyre can make a difference of a few percent in fuel consumption. On electric cars this class directly affects range.

2. Wet grip (braking)

The rain cloud symbol at the top right shows the tyre's braking performance on wet surfaces. These classes also run from A to E.

• A: Shortest braking distance in the wet
• E: Longest braking distance

The difference between classes is not small. For a car braking from 80 km/h on a wet surface, the difference between A-class and E-class tyres can be several car lengths. From a safety point of view, this is the most important information on the label.

3. External rolling noise

The loudspeaker symbol at the bottom shows the tyre's noise measured outside the car, in decibels (dB). Next to it is a class of A, B or C:

• A: Quiet tyre
• B: Medium
• C: Noisy

This value is not directly the same as the noise inside the car, but it gives an idea. The decibel scale is logarithmic: a 3 dB difference means roughly a doubling of sound energy.

Snow and ice symbols

The current label may include two additional symbols:

• Snow symbol (3PMSF): The tyre has passed the standard snow test. It indicates true winter tyres and winter-approved all-season tyres.
• Ice symbol: The tyre has also been tested on ice. This symbol is found on tyres designed especially for very cold regions such as the Nordic countries. Most winter tyres made for Central Europe and Turkey don't have it.

What doesn't the label show?

The label is useful, but it doesn't describe all of a tyre's performance. The following are not on the label:

• Braking and cornering performance on dry surfaces
• Actual driving behaviour on snow and ice (the symbol only says the tyre passed the test)
• Wear life (how many kilometres it will last)
• Aquaplaning resistance
• Durability at high speed

That's why it's a good idea to consider the label together with independent tyre tests.

How to use the label

1. Safety first: Choose tyres with a wet grip class of A or B.
2. Then according to how you drive: If you drive long distances or drive an electric car, also pay attention to the fuel efficiency class.
3. In town: The noise class makes a difference to comfort.
4. For winter: Look for the snow symbol.

When comparing tyres of the same size and the same speed/load rating, the label is the quickest and most impartial starting point.