Nokian – New Generation Winter Tyres Easy on Fuel

Much of Europe is currently getting ready for the seasonal change to cold weather tyres, and while many drivers assume that winter tyres increase a car’s fuel consumption, Nokian says that the truth may come as a positive surprise. The Finnish tyremaker claims that the latest generation of Nordic winter tyres roll fluently, save fuel and generate less harmful CO2 emissions than summer tyres.

Rolling resistance is measured in terms of a rolling resistance coefficient; the greater the coefficient, the heavier the tyre rolls. The average rolling resistance value for contemporary tyres varies between 1-1.2. Several test results indicate that the Nokian Hakkapeliitta RSi, the studless winter tyre designed for northern conditions, has the most economic rolling properties in its category, with a recorded value below 0.9. This makes the tyre, according to Nokian, 36 per cent superior in terms of rolling resistance than its worst performing competitors (in 205/55 R16 size).

A difference in rolling resistance approaching 40 per cent equates to an approximately 6 per cent difference in fuel consumption. The manufacturer believes that at current fuel prices European drivers will save almost 300 euros over 40,000 kilometres of driving when using a tyre such as the Hakkapeliitta.