The EU Tire Label drives continuous product improvements

Continental welcomes the introduction of the EU Tire Label. It provides fleet operators and tire retailers with objective, reliable and comparable information on three important tire performance characteristics.

Click on EU Tire Label Generator to find directly the EU Tire Label values for your favored tire or any other current Continental Truck Tire.

The EU Tire Label – What does it tell you?

The European Parliament has passed a regulation to introduce a standardized labeling for tires across Europe. Since 1 November 2012, the EU tire label will be compulsory for all tires that are produced after 1 July 2012. The aim is to increase the safety and the environmental and economic efficiency of road transport and to reduce total energy consumption by 20 % by 2020.

The three aspects of efficiency, safety and the environment are shown on the label in the following categories: fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise. The principle is thus similar to the energy efficiency label that appears on washing machines, fridges and other electrical appliances. 

The consumer is therefore able to objectively compare tires and to incorporate this knowledge, along with other criteria, into his purchasing decision. As well as the three label values there are other criteria that are relevant for safety and efficiency. These include, for example, mileage, braking performance on dry surfaces, driving stability and retreadability.

How to read the label?

Wet grip / braking performance 

Braking distance in wet weather conditions from A (short) to G* (longer).

Wet grip is one of the most important safety properties of a tire. A good value means a short braking distance on a wet road. Improvement by one class means a reduction of the braking distance by 5 to 10 meters in the event of full braking from 80 km/h. In an emergency, every meter counts and could be the crucial factor in avoiding an accident.

Fuel efficiency / rolling resistance

Fuel consumption from A (low) to G* (higher).

The rolling resistance significantly influences a truck’s fuel consumption and thus plays an important role from an economic and ecological point of view. This is because low fuel consumption has a positive effect on the carbon footprint of the vehicle. 

Savings up to 3.5 l/100 km can can be made between two classes (e.g. B and C).

External rolling noise / noise emission

Sound level from 1 (quiet) to 3 (louder) sound waves.

The rolling noise of a truck tire contributes to traffic noise and thus environmental noise pollution. As well as the measured value in decibels, the label will show the noise level in classes of between one and three sound waves. Three sound waves indicate tires that exceed the limit which will be in force from 2016. Tires with two sound waves are below this future limit, with one sound wave they are below it by more than 3 dB. A change to the sound level by 10 dB equates to the volume being halved or doubled.

* G is not used