One of the forces influencing the fuel efficiency of a motorised vehicle is the rolling resistance of the tires, which accounts for up to 20% of a vehicle’s fuel consumption.
This phenomenon exists because a tire deforms when rotating, resulting in energy loss in the form of heat. The higher the deformation, the higher the tire rolling resistance, and consequently, the more fuel required to move the vehicle forward. In other words, lower rolling resistance means lower fuel consumption and therefore lower vehicle emissions, including CO2.
Actual fuel savings and road safety depend heavily on the behaviour of drivers, and in particular, the following:
- Eco-driving can significantly reduce fuel consumption.
- Tire pressure should be regularly checked to optimise wet grip and fuel efficiency performance.
- Gradual braking behaviour should be practiced.
The EU regulation label displays different grades in "rolling resistance" where A is the most "fuel-efficient" and E is the worst in class.
Between classes, fuel consumption increases by approximately 0.1 litre for every 100 km driven.
The black arrow next to the grading indicates the performance level of the specific product.
Traffic noise is a relevant issue to the surrounding environment, determined by:
- Traffic intensity and vehicle types.
- Driving style.
- Tire-Road interaction.
Exterior noise levels are split into 3 classes: A, B, and C, measured in decibels (dB). The exact number is shown in the bottom part of the specific label.
Tires with a low noise level have between 67-71 dB, whereas the highest noise levels measure between 72-77 dB.
Even a small difference in decibels represents a significant change to the noise level, as a 3 dB increase doubles the amount of external noise produced by the tires.