What is Tyre Approval and Testing?

When buying new tyres, a question always comes up: Can I drive with any tyres as long as they have the same diameter as the rims? The answer is no. It's a little more complicated than that. Because first, you have to find out whether the tyres are approved for your vehicle.

Because that's not the case with every tyre. For optimal safety and vehicle performance, as well as to protect your wallet from unnecessary costs, checking the suitability of the tyres is an important part of the buying process. Tyre approval is a document that clearly states whether a particular tyre such as Michelin tyres for cars is allowed for your vehicle.

How do I find information about my tyres?

You can find this information in the vehicle registration certificate. The codes listed there indicate the correct sizes and rims for your car. If the dimensions of the new tyres, such as size and rim, are not listed in the vehicle registration document, you can take a look at the sidewalls of your tyres and find the code/information directly on your tyres.

Different types of tyre approval

Of the many designations on tyre sidewalls, there is one category that particularly deserves your attention: the manufacturer's marking system. Approved tyres – you may know them as (OE) (original equipment) tyres, are designed by tyre makers and their partnered car makers to meet the technical specifications of a particular automotive vehicle and to maximise its handling. This labelling is most often found on tyres engineered for sports or other high-powered vehicles. You will find two kinds of approval by the manufacturer – mandatory and technical. In the case of mandatory approval, the car maker specifies a brand and tyre tread pattern and these tyres are not to be used on a different kind of vehicle/car. With technical approval, the car maker prescribes a brand or tread pattern for its vehicles but these tyres can be used on other brands provided the conditions of the manufacturer are followed.

European Union tyre label

This label tells you everything about wet braking characteristics, rolling resistance, external noise, and if the tyres are suitable for winter use. This labelling also allows for comparison with other tyres. It is important to note that there was an update to the labelling of snow tyres in May 2021 and that tyre manufacturers themselves classify their products.

Tyre approval testing

The first and most important aid to decision-making should continue to be, for example, the German ADAC tyre test, as this tests significantly more criteria, some of which are relevant to safety. If no results from the ADAC tyre test are available for the tyre model in question, the information content of the tyre label provides the end customer and private tyre buyer with reliable guidance, which they should definitely use.

Check compatibility

Always ensure that your new tyres are compatible with your vehicle and approved for use within the parameters specified above. You can find Michelin tyres for cars and many other cheap tyres online. Remember that for optimum safety and driving enjoyment, it is essential to fit only approved tyres to your vehicle. If maintaining the service life of your tyres is essential to you, take a look at How to extend your tyres service life to get some great tips for optimum tyre maintenance.