Tyres move into the spotlight

At the end of 2012, two major pieces of legislation came in about tyres. Firstly, the introduction of tyre labelling which will affect the way tyres are bought, and secondly, the legal requirement for all new cars to be fitted with Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems, which will alert drivers when tyre pressures fall below a certain threshold. TyreSafe reports on these changes.

Having been largely taken for granted by many drivers for a considerable time, tyres are currently attracting a large amount of attention from those both within the automotive industry and the wider mainstream media.

The catalysts responsible for the renewed level of interest are a couple of new pieces of European legislation. The first, tyre labelling, relates to how tyres are sold and marketed and such is the impact of this introduction that it is being described by many as the single biggest factor affecting the tyre industry in many years. The second relates to tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), which is also placing tyres in the spotlight.

Speaking on behalf of the UK’s leading tyre safety organisation, Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “Tyre manufacturers are being placed under increased scrutiny about the abilities of their tyres from a safety, environmental and performance perspective. These growing levels of awareness and interest are likely to help improve people’s attitudes towards tyre care and maintenance which can only be a positive move for improving road safety.”

What’s new?
Possibly most important and having the biggest impact is the new EU tyre labelling regulation that was introduced in November 2012.

The law requires all new tyres to be graded against three criteria which must be displayed on the tyre label at the point of sale. The areas being judged are wet braking performance, fuel efficiency and exterior noise emissions.

The newly introduced labels will look familiar as they use graphics similar to those found on many new domestic appliances, cars and buildings.

Wet breaking and fuel efficiency is rated on a scale from A to G, with A providing the best level of performance and G the lowest. Noise emissions are shown by a series of black waves, with three being the loudest.

The differences in the A to G ratings can be significant. This is perhaps most important when it comes to stopping in the wet when it really could be a matter of life or death.

A car driving on four A-rated tyres at 50mph can stop up to 18 metres shorter (approximately four car lengths) than if it were driving on four G-rated tyres.

Jackson explained: “Your tyres are the only point of contact between your vehicle and the road surface so it is essential they can still perform properly in the most treacherous of conditions. The wet braking rating will help drivers make an informed choice about which product best matches their needs. However, they must also remember that whichever product they pick, regular tyre checks are still needed to maximise performance and safety.”

Greener driving
The new labels also spell out which tyres are better at helping to drive down fuel costs and reduce CO2 emissions by measuring the tyres rolling resistance.

Category A offers the lowest rolling resistance making the tyre the most fuel efficient. Category G tyres have the highest levels of rolling resistance on the scale making them the least fuel efficient.

Once again, the difference between the two extremes is stark. Choosing A-rated tyres over G-rated tyres could reduce your fuel consumption by 7.5 per cent.

The final category shown on the labels is for exterior noise emissions (not what is heard inside the vehicle). There are just three ratings for this category represented by three black lines, with one black line being the best performing and three being the worst.

Tyre safety
While the new tyre labels considers these three very important elements, drivers and fleet operators may have additional requirements or other factors to consider when selecting their replacement tyres. Your local tyre specialists can provide assistance and advice with this.

It is also important to remember that correct tyre care and maintenance is essential for safety on the road. Tyre pressures should be checked at least once a month or before a long journey. Tread depth should be checked regularly to ensure the tyres meet the minimum legal requirements of 1.6mm of tread across the central three quarters of the tyre around its entire circumference. The condition of the tyres should also be checked, looking out for any cuts, bulges or embedded objects.

Properly maintained tyres also have a longer life and can also help reduce fuel costs, potentially saving fleet operators thousands of pounds in fuel bills.

TPMS legislation
But it’s not just tyre labelling that is new to the industry as from November 2012; following the introduction of European legislation on vehicle emissions and tyre safety, all newly homologated cars are required to be fitted with a pressure based Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS), a battery-powered sensor to be fitted inside every tyre.

TPMS systems monitor the amount of air within the tyre and alert the driver when the pressure in any of the tyres falls below a certain threshold, typically 20 per cent below the correct inflation level.

Having the correct tyre pressure is crucial for a number of reasons, including increased road safety, lower fuel bills, longer tyre life and reduced CO2 emissions, so it is important that the TPMS system is working properly.

Added incentive is a European Commission directive which states that from January 2012, a vehicle will fail its MOT if the air pressure monitoring system is malfunctioning or obviously inoperative.

However, in the UK, VOSA’s interpretation of this regulation means that a vehicle fitted with TPMS will not fail on this aspect until 2015. In the meantime, any TPMS fault will be recorded on the MOT test as an ‘advisory’ meaning owners should seek further assistance from the workshop.

Drivers should also remember that it is important to service the TPMS sensor each time a tyre is removed. The service replaces the rubber seals and other important service parts so that the sensor is kept fully operational and works properly.

Why pressure matters
Having the correct tyre pressure is vital for a number of key reasons, namely safety, fuel economy and tyre wear.

“TyreSafe has long been campaigning for motorists to regularly check their tyre pressures and while we always emphasise the safety aspect, there are cost-saving reasons to make it a high priority as well,” said Jackson.

Road safety depends on correct tyre pressure. Under-inflated tyres can suffer from excessive heat build-up making them much more likely to suffer from a dangerous blowout. Equally, vehicle handling, cornering, acceleration and braking are all adversely affected if tyres are not inflated to the correct pressure.

Fuel frugality
The rolling resistance of a tyre increases when it is under-inflated which means they need more energy or fuel to make them turn. By making sure the tyres are properly inflated it will maximise the fuel economy and minimise the CO2 emissions. Calculations from one TyreSafe member found that when tyres are under-inflated by 20 per cent (around 6psi), three per cent more fuel is used.

What’s more, correctly maintained tyres can prolong tyre life. The contact patch of a tyre with the road surface is concentrated towards the two outer edges of the tread when it is under-inflated. This leads to rapid wear on the shoulders and reduced tyre life, further increasing motoring costs. By running tyres at 80 per cent of the recommended pressure, tyre life is reduced to around 75 per cent. If the pressure falls to 60 per cent, then it may achieve as little as 35 per cent of the tyre’s potential mileage.

Pressure pointers
Irrespective of whether the vehicle is fitted with a TPMS system, tyre pressures should be regularly checked at least once a month or before a long journey and pressures should be checked against the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended level. This can be found in the vehicle handbook and on a plate which is often located inside the fuel filler flap or on the driver’s door sill. TyreSafe also has an online pressure database and iPhone App to provide these details for car owners.

Drivers should also check the pressure when tyres are cold (i.e. when the vehicle has travelled less than two miles). If you are carrying a full load of passengers or luggage or will be towing a trailer or caravan, tyre pressures should be increased in line with the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations. Details can be found in the vehicle handbook.

Every time the pressure is checked, ensure a reliable and accurate pressure gauge is used and that all four tyres – and the spare – are checked.

While checking pressures, give the rest of the tyre a visual inspection. Remove any stones and other objects embedded in the tread. Look out for any bulges, lumps or cuts.

If you are unsure on any aspect of tyre pressure or tyre condition take your vehicle to an approved fitting centre and speak to the experts.

“While the introduction of new legislation and regulations which can help improve road safety are to be welcomed, it still remains the responsibility of the individual driver to check that their tyres are safe and legal.

“Failure to do so not only endangers their own life but also that of their passengers and other road users,” concluded Jackson.

Winter tyres
As spring looms large on the horizon, motorists could be forgiven for believing that the need for winter tyres has passed. However, according to TyreSafe, drivers should think again. It is not just snow and ice that these tyres relish but also cold and damp conditions, especially when the temperature drops below seven degrees celsius, which is not uncommon right through to March.

Driving in lower temperatures especially applies to commuters and business motorists who are on the roads in coldest conditions in the early morning and evening. Indeed, according to figures from the Met Office, the temperature fell below seven degrees during prime commuting hours on 147 separate days between October and March.

If proof was needed, tests conducted by the British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association found that a car braking at 60mph on a wet road at 5°C stopped five metres shorter, equivalent to more than one car length, when fitted with winter weather tyres.

Stuart Jackson, chairman, TyreSafe, said: “For safer driving from October through to March, then fitting winter tyres is definitely worth considering as they are the safest option as the temperature drops.”

For more information
www.tyresafe.org