Don’t trust the label
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I’ve just spent the day at Michelin's Ladoux test track, where the French tyre maker has been showing off the wet grip ability of its new range of X Multiway 3D tyres. And I’m impressed.
For one demonstration, two identical Scania rigids were fitted with different tyre brands. One was shod with partworn Michelin X Multiways, while the other had those of a rival premium brand. Both were driven on a wet track at 42kmph, and had the brakes applied at the same time. The Michelin-clad truck stopped in 45.35m, whereas the other took a further 11m.
With such amazing wet grip, surely the X Multiway range must receive an A rating in the new tyre labelling system right? Wrong. The tyres on the steer axle are graded B while those on the drive axle are Cs. How so? Because the labelling system is based purely on the performance of new tyres, and doesn’t take worn ones into account. So while part-worn X Multiway tyres are claimed by their manufacturer to be market leaders in wet grip, this isn’t recognised by tyre labelling. Theoretically, a tyre maker could design a tyre purely to get a triple A rating when new. It might have appalling wet grip, rolling resistance and noise characteristics after several thousand miles, but who cares? It’s got the allimportant AAA written on the sidewall!
And why are we testing for noise? Wouldn’t tyre wear have more relevance?
The moral? Don’t let tyre labelling influence your purchasing decision. It doesn’t tell the whole story, it’s merely the introduction.
Will Shiers