13 . rentals and leases the company leases sales and administrative office facilities , distribution centers , research and manufacturing facilities , as well as vehicles and other equipment under operating leases . total rental expense under the company 2019s operating leases was $ 239 million in 2017 and $ 221 million in both 2016 and 2015 . as of december 31 , 2017 , identifiable future minimum payments with non-cancelable terms in excess of one year were : ( millions ) .

$ 131: 2019: 115
2020: 96
2021: 86
2022: 74
thereafter: 115
total: 617

the company enters into operating leases for vehicles whose non-cancelable terms are one year or less in duration with month-to-month renewal options . these leases have been excluded from the table above . the company estimates payments under such leases will approximate $ 62 million in 2018 . these vehicle leases have guaranteed residual values that have historically been satisfied by the proceeds on the sale of the vehicles . 14 . research and development expenditures research expenditures that relate to the development of new products and processes , including significant improvements and refinements to existing products , are expensed as incurred . such costs were $ 201 million in 2017 , $ 189 million in 2016 and $ 191 million in 2015 . the company did not participate in any material customer sponsored research during 2017 , 2016 or 2015 . 15 . commitments and contingencies the company is subject to various claims and contingencies related to , among other things , workers 2019 compensation , general liability ( including product liability ) , automobile claims , health care claims , environmental matters and lawsuits . the company is also subject to various claims and contingencies related to income taxes , which are discussed in note 12 . the company also has contractual obligations including lease commitments , which are discussed in note 13 . the company records liabilities where a contingent loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated . if the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range , the company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount . the company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable , or both , if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred . insurance globally , the company has insurance policies with varying deductibility levels for property and casualty losses . the company is insured for losses in excess of these deductibles , subject to policy terms and conditions and has recorded both a liability and an offsetting receivable for amounts in excess of these deductibles . the company is self-insured for health care claims for eligible participating employees , subject to certain deductibles and limitations . the company determines its liabilities for claims on an actuarial basis . litigation and environmental matters the company and certain subsidiaries are party to various lawsuits , claims and environmental actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of business . these include from time to time antitrust , commercial , patent infringement , product liability and wage hour lawsuits , as well as possible obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal or release of certain chemical substances at various sites , such as superfund sites and other operating or closed facilities . the company has established accruals for certain lawsuits , claims and environmental matters . the company currently believes that there is not a reasonably possible risk of material loss in excess of the amounts accrued related to these legal matters . because litigation is inherently uncertain , and unfavorable rulings or developments could occur , there can be no certainty that the company may not ultimately incur charges in excess of recorded liabilities . a future adverse ruling , settlement or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the company 2019s results of operations or cash flows in the period in which they are recorded . the company currently believes that such future charges related to suits and legal claims , if any , would not have a material adverse effect on the company 2019s consolidated financial position . environmental matters the company is currently participating in environmental assessments and remediation at approximately 45 locations , the majority of which are in the u.s. , and environmental liabilities have been accrued reflecting management 2019s best estimate of future costs . potential insurance reimbursements are not anticipated in the company 2019s accruals for environmental liabilities. .

Questions:
what was the variation in the r&d expenses from 2016 to 2017?
and what percentage did this change represent in relation to those expenses in 2016?
and over the next year, from 2017 to 2018, what was the change in the total rental expense under the company 2019s operating leases?

Answers:
12
6.3%
-108