When choosing new tyres, fuel efficiency ratings are more than just a label — they directly impact your car’s performance, comfort, and running costs. In this guide, we break down how tyre fuel efficiency ratings work, what the A–E grading system means, and why investing in higher-rated tyres can lead to real fuel savings over time.
Choosing tyres for your vehicle comes with a plethora of small factors that need to be considered. These include the tyre size and rating, seasonal design, and their fuel efficiency rating.
You see, while driving style and distances have the biggest impact on fuel efficiency, what many car owners don’t realise is the importance of the right tyres in maximising their fuel efficiency and keeping running costs low.
In this article, we explain not just what the tyre fuel efficiency ratings are but also how they work – and the undeniable impact your tyres have on the amount of fuel you use on the road.
What is a Tyre Fuel Efficiency Rating?
Tyres come with a grade, which translates to how efficient they are on the road. But more on the grades themselves in a moment…
First, what does the rating tell you?
In short, tyre fuel efficiency looks at the rolling resistance of the tyre and how much power the tyre needs in order to move. A more efficient tyre will have a lower rolling resistance – that is, it requires less power and therefore less fuel to keep moving.
Translating Tyre Fuel Efficiency Ratings
Tyre fuel efficiency is graded from A to E.
An ‘A’ rating is considered the most fuel efficient while a rating of ‘E’ shows the least fuel efficiency.
This rating can be found printed on the tyre, often alongside information about the tyres wet grip and the amount of noise produced on the road.
