Independent measurement of how tyres break down in real-world driving

Every tyre sheds material as it moves

With every rotation, tiny fragments of rubber and filler materials wear away from the tread. These particles vary in shape, size and behaviour and together they form a major source of particulate pollution on our roads.

Understanding how quickly tyres wear and what kinds of particles they release, is essential for improving tyre design, strengthening environmental policy and creating a fuller picture of non-exhaust emissions.

Tyre mass loss measurement

The basis of the method is to weigh all four wheels at the start and end of the test. The tyres remain on the rims throughout. Mass measurement is be taken by scales with a resolution of 1g.

Real-time mass and number

Alongside the mass loss measurement, a real-time signal is collected from a sampling ‘scoop’ positioned immediately behind one or more tyres.

Measurement of real-time particle size distribution and concentration in the size range of 6 nm-10 μm at 10 Hz sampling rate.

What we measure

Our BTAS wear testing combines on-road driving with controlled laboratory analysis to quantify:

Wear rate
How much mass a tyre loses over a defined driving cycle.
This helps identify which tyres last longer, wear more efficiently or shed more material under specific conditions.
Particle size distribution

The proportion of particles in different size categories, from coarse fragments to fine and ultra-fine particles.

This matters because smaller particles can travel further in the air and may pose greater environmental or health risks.

Close-up of a car's rear with a diagnostic monitor connected to the vehicle, inside a garage or workshop.

Close-up of a car tire with a tire tread pattern and a small L-shaped metal tool or object resting beside it.

How we test

Line graph showing data over time with multiple datasets, including size categories and speed, differentiated by color, with red vertical lines marking specific shown times.

Our measurement approach includes:

Standardised on-road routes that reflect real driving conditions
Temperature, speed and surface variations
Accurate mass loss analysis before and after testing
High-resolution particle sampling for consistent, comparable results

Together, these provide a clear and reliable picture of how tyres behave in practice.

Why this matters

Wear behaviour can differ massively across tyres, even within the same size and class. Factors such as compound chemistry, tread design, vehicle weight and driving conditions influence: