Wheels need to be cleaned regularly to remove brake dust, which also includes tiny metal fragments. Otherwise the hot fragments can embed themselves in the paint and lead to contact corrosion. Wheels are more exposed to dirt or stones than the front of the vehicle and therefore need especial care as well.
The EU tyre label helps consumers to decide in favour of a higher fuel efficiency class for their tyres. This can contribute to large reductions in running costs and emissions. Enhanced wet grip means greater road safety, and details of external rolling noise contributes to a reduction in traffic noise levels.
The actual fuel savings and road safety depend heavily on the behaviour of drivers, and in particular on the following:
Less rolling noise saves fuel and cuts CO2. This property is assigned to classes A to E.
Wet grip is assigned to classes A to E. Wet grip is crucial to safe driving. For instance, the difference between class A and class E braking distances is 18 m.
The label presents the volume in dB and the class A (quieter), B, or C (louder). The noise emitted by tyres affects the total noise levels emitted by the vehicle.
The snowflake symbol confirms that the snow tested tyre keeps within the 3PMSF limits (type approval).