What is life like with your car? Let us know and win £500 in John Lewis vouchers | No thanks

Can emissions be reduced by fitting Michelin Primacy 3 tyres?

You printed a letter I sent you regarding larger wheels fitted with low profile tyres increasing exhaust emissions, and pushing vehicles up into the next VED band. In your printed reply, you mentioned the new Michelin Primacy 3 tyres and how they can reduce CO2 emissions by 4g/km. I feel this may give people the impression that by fitting these tyres they can reduce their exhaust emissions and thereby qualify for a reduced VED rate if the new emissions level drops into the next lower VED band.

Asked on 5 May 2012 by MV, Thatcham

Answered by Honest John
I never intended to give that impression because it is never the case. A car stays with the CO2 certification it is born with throughout its life. But, of course, if these tyres are fitted as OEM, then they could pull the car into a lower CO2 tax bracket on the V5C. For instance, from 124g/km to 119g/km, reducing annual tax from £95 to £30.
Similar questions
The 2006-2011 Toyota Yaris 1.33 has a VED price of £30 per year whereas the 2011 Yaris with the same 1.33 engine, according to dealers, is £110 per year. Do you know why the reason is this?
A colleague has to tow a 1300kg trailer as part of his work on a daily basis. To get the right tow car he has to go for something which hits him hard in tax terms because of high CO2. He has posed the...
I currently drive a 2005 Volkswagen Golf Plus 2.0 TDI that has done 182,000 miles. What should I replace it with on a maximum budget of £12,000? I need a workhorse to do 20,000 miles a year (80 per cent...