Barum Polaris 3
EU tyre label for every size: 6 sizes of this winter tyre compared with the rest of the market
The Barum Polaris 3 is a winter tyre for passenger cars. Its supplier has registered it in the EU product database (EPREL) in 6 sizes (7 registrations including load and speed variants), for 13″ to 16″ rims.
Wet grip is rated C in every size, fuel efficiency C–E and external rolling noise 71–72 dB. Every size carries the three-peak mountain snowflake (3PMSF), the mark for tyres tested in severe snow.
The label depends on the size. Sorted by wet grip, then fuel efficiency, then noise, the best-labelled size on sale is 235/60 R16 (Wet grip C · Fuel efficiency C · 72 dB), the weakest 235/70 R16 (Wet grip C · Fuel efficiency E · 71 dB).
On the EU market since July 2011; the earliest production week registered is 26/2011.
How it compares in its sizes
We compared each size with all other winter and 3PMSF tyres of the same size and class in EPREL (5 sizes had at least four rivals). A size scores when its label is at least as good as 75% of them.
Strongest point: wet grip. Weakest point: fuel efficiency, where most same-size rivals do as well or better.
What the label means on the road (235/70 R 16)
Example: the 235/70 R 16 size, compared with the 301 other winter and 3PMSF tyres registered in this size.
Wet braking from 80 km/h
≈41 m with wet grip class C, the most common class in this size.
Fuel efficiency
Class E vs the typical D: ≈0.16 L/100 km more, about 24 litres more over 15,000 km for a 1,500 kg car.
Rolling noise
71 dB against a median of 72 dB in this size (1 dB quieter).
Estimates from the class ranges in Regulation (EU) 2020/740. A label class is a range, so a real tyre can sit anywhere inside it. Every 3 dB doubles the sound energy.
All 6 sizes
The small figure under each class is the share of same-size, same-season tyres this size matches or beats (“–” when fewer than five tyres share the size).
| Size | Load / speed | Wet | Fuel | Noise | Snow / ice | Production from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13″ rims | ||||||
| 165/80 R 13 | 83T | C86% | E10% | 71 dBB38% | 3PMSF | 26/2011 |
| 14″ rims | ||||||
| 165/80 R 14 | 85T | C– | E– | 71 dBB– | 3PMSF | 26/2011 |
| 185/55 R 14 | 80T | C83% | E15% | 71 dBB59% | 3PMSF | 26/2011 |
| 16″ rims | ||||||
| 225/70 R 16 | 103T | C89% | E5% | 71 dBB78% | 3PMSF | 31/2011 |
| 235/60 R 16 | 100H | C87% | E9% | 71 dBB75% | 3PMSF | 26/2011 |
| 235/60 R 16 | 100H | C87% | C95% | 72 dBB63% | 3PMSF | 29/2022 |
| 235/70 R 16 | 106T | C91% | E7% | 71 dBB89% | 3PMSF | 35/2011 |
Best-labelled winter and 3PMSF tyres in 235/70 R 16
Other tyres on sale in the same size, sorted by wet grip, then noise, then fuel efficiency.
All tyres in 235/70 R16, ranked by label →
- Petlas Explero Winter W671B B 70 dB
- Starmaxx Incurro Winter W870B B 70 dB
- Zeetex WQ1000B C 71 dB
- Doublestar Winterking DW02B D 71 dB
- Headway APMS01B D 71 dB
- Nordexx NA6000B D 71 dB
Questions
Is the Barum Polaris 3 a quiet tyre?
Its declared rolling noise ranges from 71 dB to 72 dB (median 71 dB). In 40% of the sizes we could compare, it is at least as quiet as three quarters of same-size rivals.
How good is the Barum Polaris 3 in the wet?
Its wet grip class is C. In 100% of compared sizes that is at least as good as three quarters of same-size rivals.
Is the Barum Polaris 3 suitable for snow?
7 of 7 registrations carry the 3PMSF symbol, which means the tyre passed the EU severe-snow test. Check the exact size in the table.
When was the Barum Polaris 3 launched?
It has been on the EU market since July 2011. The earliest production week in its registrations is 26/2011; the DOT code on the sidewall shows the week and year of your tyre.
More from Barum
Source: EPREL, the European Commission’s product registry for energy labelling — 7 registrations, data as of 25 October 2026. Suppliers have updated 0 of these registrations since first publication. Label values are the supplier’s declaration.