Stacked tyres hero

The full story of tyre labelling

Here at HiQ, we’re always looking for ways to make things simpler and less complicated for our customers. That’s why we welcome the introduction of tyre labelling as an objective, reliable and comparable way of helping you decide which tyre is right for you.

The EU tyre label only specifies 3 criteria*

Magazine independent tests specify 15 criteria

Tyre manufacturers analyse over 50 criteria

But of course measuring just three factors can’t tell you the whole story about a tyre. There are many other factors, from dry handling and high speed stability to braking on ice and how many miles the tyre will do.Independent magazines often test 15 factors to reach a conclusion. And premium tyre manufacturers such as Goodyear and Dunlop will measure over 50 different factors for every tyre they put on the road.

Remember, if you need to get up a muddy hill over land across rough terrain, be safe on snow or ice, get through the snow or are looking for a high mileage tyre or a tyre that grips and holds the road in dry high-speed conditions? Then tyre labelling won’t be able to help you. Your local expert who is fully trained in all the performance criteria of every tyre can!

Just some of the 50 performance parameters
that premium tyre manufacturers test

Legislation only tests 3 criteria, magazines test 15 criteria, however tyre manufacturers test over 50 performance parameters in order to produce premium tyres. Only fully trained tyre experts who are up to speed with all the technical details of each tyre can give you the full story.

Criterium Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria EU Tyre Label Criteria
Criterium
WET HANDLING
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
WET BRAKING
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
Yes
Criterium
AQUAPLANING IN CURVES
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
AQUAPLANING IN STRAIGHTS
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
DRY HANDLING
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
DRY BRAKING
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
HIGH SPEED STABILITY
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
HEAVY HANDLING
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
TRACTION
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
ROLLING RESISTANCE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
Yes
Criterium
MILEAGE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
INTERNAL NOISE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
EXTERNAL NOISE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
Yes
Criterium
HANDLING ON SNOW AND ICE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No
Criterium
BRAKING ON SNOW AND ICE
Tyre Manufacturers Performance Criteria
Yes
EU Tyre Label Criteria
No

Just a sample of the 50 parameters in a typical tyre manufacturers car tyre test.

*The EU tyre label was updated in May 2021 to include information on tyre performances in snow and ice weather conditions, as well as wet grip, noise rating and rolling resistance. Read Dunlop's guide to the new 2021 EU Tyre Label.