– It is worth being an informed consumer – after reading the data printed on the label, we are able to make much more thoughtful decisions and avoid the sunpleasant consequences of driving on low-quality tyres. Unfortunately, it is easy to make a wrong decision and then regret it for several years. We encourage all drivers to read labels – of course, it is always worth consulting with an adviser on the site, but each driver's individual knowledge about the tyres they buy, and in which they invest their hard-earned money, is also important. We should remember to think about buying new tyres as an investment in our and our families' safety – states Piotr Sarnecki, General Director of the Polish Tyre Industry Association.
Do you already have good tyres? Great, but remember that even a car with the best tyres and the latest safety systems will not perform or brake well if it has low tyre pressure. For a tyre to reach its full potential, it is necessary that the best possible wheel-road contact is ensured. Only at the optimum pressure set by the car's manufacturer will the tyre under the vehicle’s mass be in contact with the road with the largest surface possible – thanks to this it will ensure safety and will not wear out faster than it should. However, there is no single optimal pressure value for all tyres and cars. The correct level provided by the car manufacturer is stated in the vehicle manual, on the middle left pillar or on the fuel filler flap.
The label includes information on three tyre parameters:
On the same amount of fuel on the best A-class tyres we can get from Władysławowo to Bielsko Biała and on the worst – only to Katowice[1].
Of course, fuel efficiency, wet grip and external rolling noise are not the only important tyre parameters – breaking distance on dry and snowy roads, resistance to aquaplaning, grip while cornering and traction are also important. We can find and compare this date in independent tyre tests in the press and on the Internet. We should also remember to choose the right tyres for our driving style and the type of roads we drive on most often – in the city, on highways or unpaved roads.
– Do not expose yourself and others to unnecessary risks on the road – tyre pressure control takes only a couple of minutes. Remember that if tyre pressure is lower by 0.5 bar from the value provided by the car manufacturer, the braking distance extends by up to 4 meters. This is the length of an average car! We never know when we will be forced to brake suddenly, and these 4 meters can decide whether or not we will be able to stop before an obstacle. Let's contribute to improving road safety– checking tyre pressure and reading information available on labels are one of the simplest things we can start with – adds Piotr Sarnecki.
Source: Polish Tyre Industry Association