0 Forklift Tyres – How to Choose and Maintain Forklift Tyres and Cut Costs

Lengthen forklift tyre life to cut your costs

When it comes to forklifts, the forklift tyres might be just about the most crucial moving part. (OK, apart from the forks) They’re also the silent partner in your daily work routine. Your forklift truck tyres must be man enough for the job at hand, but they should also be like a good kid – seen and never heard.

The choice you make for your forklift tyres depends on the work you’ll be doing, the weight your truck lifts, and the environment in which they’re used. When it comes to forklift tyres, there’s a big choice. You’ll have to decide between different types of forklift tyres, different treads, different compounds, and a host of ply ratings.

Here, I’ll run through your forklift truck tyres and the choice you have. I’ll offer some advice on handling and maintenance, getting the right forklift tyres and treating them properly to help make your workplace safer. Your forklift tyres will last longer, and your costs will fall.

How to choose the right forklift tyres

When you come to our Brisbane tyre shop for new forklift tyres, it helps to be prepared to answer a few questions. Simple things like:

• Where do you use your forklift? In a warehouse, or outside? Heat affects tyres.
• What type of surface is the truck driven on? Smooth, cobbled, concrete, etc.
• What weights will the forklift be lifting and moving?
• How about turning and how often will the forklift be making tight turns?

When you know the stresses and strains your forklift tyres are subjected to, we’ll tell you whether you’ll be best buying pneumatic or solid forklift truck tyres.

What type of forklift tyres are available today?

There are several different forklift tyre types, each ideal for different working environments. They include:

·      Solid forklift tyres

These are the most common. They’re good on a level and smooth surfaces, including indoors. That’s because they’re solid, reliable and puncture-proof (why they’re sometimes called ‘puncture-proof tyres’). However, they’re not immune from being damaged nor from daily wear and tear.

You’ll need to consider driver comfort: solid tyres won’t cushion on a bumpy terrain, which could be bad news for your back – and increase the possibility of damaging any goods being moved or your staff over the longer term.

In short, solid foklift tyres are great on smooth, even surfaces either indoors or outdoors. They last a long time but aren’t ideal for heavy loads or drivers that are susceptible to back pain.

·      Pneumatic forklift tyres

Pneumatic tyres offer more comfort and are the best type for use on rough ground. The downside with pneumatic forklift tyres is that they are not puncture proof. There’s always a premium for comfort.

To help protect the tyre from damage – and help with safety – it will have a deep tread and be made from a wear-resistant rubber compound. Because they’re air-filled, they provide a cushioning effect between the ground and the forklift, reducing wear on the forklift.

·      Cushion forklift tyres

A cushion tyre is made with a metal band that has rubber attached to it. They’re smaller than pneumatic tyres, so are better for working in enclosed and tight spaces. The name ‘cushion tyres’ might be somewhat misleading – they shouldn’t be used on rough ground, but are a good option for indoor warehouse work.

·      Polyurethane forklift tyres

You might find that the best tyre choice for you is a polyurethane compound – which could be ideal if all the work is indoors. These are also pressed on to fit. They’re best used indoors, and their small rolling resistance helps to lengthen their useful life.

·      Non-mark forklift tyres

Solid, non-mark tyres are designed to reduce tyre marks on floors. The downside is that they don’t last as long as other forklift tyres. Generally used by food processors.

·      Foam-fill forklift tyres

In many ways, foam fill tyres are like a cross between pneumatics and solids. They’re filled with a resin to make them puncture resistant. They act as a cushion on rough ground, and so are best for use where comfort is a factor, but the possibility of a puncture is high.

Looking after your forklift tyres

Damaged or rapidly worn tyres are costly and inconvenient. The driver who does a few doughnuts at the end of a shift may not understand that his bravado could be costing him a pay rise because of the extra tyres that have to be bought over the year. Apart from reminding forklift operators of the need to be responsible for their machinery, here are a few more things you can do to help your forklift tyres last longer:

Check inflation and loading

• Check your forklift tyres every week, and make sure that they’re inflated to the right pressure for the loads they’ll be supporting
• Make sure that each tyre valve is capped to prevent dirt getting in
• Don’t bleed the tyre of air

Store your forklift tyres correctly

Even when not in use, tyres suffer wear. If you leave them in the heat or in direct sunlight, the rubber will begin to decay.

• Don’t keep tyres for more than a few months at the most
• Store in a cool, dark place
• Try to avoid getting oil on your tyres

Forklift driver education

Poor drivers damage tyres. Make sure all your forklift drivers:

• Don’t do doughnuts
• Drive at lower speeds
• Brake gently
• Corner correctly
• Don’t lock wheels to turn
• Don’t go where the tyres aren’t designed for

Get the best forklift tyre advice in Brisbane

Don’t let your loads, drivers, and bottom line suffer from poor forklift tyre choice. If your drivers are off work with aches and pains more than they should be, your forklifts die earlier than they ought to, or your forklift tyres fail at regular intervals, come and speak to us in our Brisbane forklift tyre shop. We’ll help you to get the most out of your forklift tyres from day one.

If you’ve got any questions or queries, call our team on 3333 5510 now. We’re here to help.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road, (and warehouse)

Kevin Wood

0 If Ferrari made tractors, who would make the industrial tyres?

Tractor tyre innovation explained

When you think of tractors, you won’t associate them with Ferrari. However, this could change in the next few years. It was about this time last year that Zetor exhibited its Pininfarina-designed concept tractor, a tractor designed for the future. Sleek, modern, and Ferrari red. Not made by Ferrari, but created by the same design house that is behind some of the most iconic Ferraris of all time.

Here I look at the design, and if it is likely to usher in a new age of tractors in Australia.

What was Zetor thinking?

Zetor is a brand name that most non-agricultural people will never have heard. It’s a company that has sold more than a million units in 100 countries. It clearly knows its tractors. Its main manufacturing plant is in the Czech Republic, and its history of success is based upon engineering quality, design, and innovation.

A collaboration with Ferrari designer Pininfarina must be considered to be at the forefront of tractor design innovation. The result was a concept tractor, unveiled at last year’s Agritechnica fair in Hannover, Germany.

When you examine the Pininfarina-designed tractor, it’s easy to imagine the vehicle with a 0 to 60 mph rating on it. That wasn’t the case, but its aerodynamic lines are groundbreaking.

The tractor wasn’t built simply to look good, however. It had to be robust, reliable, and simple to work on. It was also designed to increase brand awareness. The red colour was a given – that’s something that Ferrari and Zetor already had in common. Something else that was evident in the concept model was functionality  (a constant from Zetor tractors) and grace  (a constant in Ferrari cars).

What tractor tyres would a Zetor concept use?

To deliver on its promise, the Zetor concept tractor would need to match its design, grace and functionality with tractor tyres that offer the same qualities. Could this be possible when it comes to tractor tyres?

Maybe. Last year Michelin unveiled a concept tractor tyre tread that could become an industry standard.

How do tractor tyre manufacturers improve performance?

When designing new tractor tyres and tread patterns, manufacturers put their concept tractor tyres through a whole range of tests. Sometimes they develop new tests to validate new findings. Once they’ve produced what they believe is an improved tractor tyre, they test it for functionality and robustness in the field. They have working farms to test the tyres, provide feedback, and then retest after refinements have been made. It could be months or even years before you see a tyre move from concept to production.

When it designed its new concept tractor tyre, Michelin considered soil compaction, ruts and depth of ruts, fuel savings, and length of service.

Soil compaction

Michelin uses a sand track to make systematic comparisons between tyres. It is something that is tough (if not impossible) to do in the field: different soil conditions, weather and humidity make it so. What happens on sand will happen on soil, and to ensure that results are consistent the tractor trye tests are repeated several times.

The improvements that the tractor tyre manufacturers want to see are larger footprints and shallower ruts.

How is the soil rutting test done?

The research boffins dig a ditch (okay, so they have the ditch dug for them) and fill it with soil of different colours. A tractor equipped with the new tyres then drives over the ditch. The impact is measured and analysed by digging out perpendicular to the line of the test drive.

Measuring soil compaction

The researchers use a test called a ‘penetronometer test’ which is used in the field to gauge the impact of soil compaction. Measurements are taken at regular intervals with a penetrometer – this measures how compacted the soil becomes, with more compacted soils leading to stunted crop growth.

Fuel consumption testing

The fuel test is used with maximum tractor output, in a soil preparation situation. The tractor has a tooth plough attached and covers a set distance. Tyre spin is measured, and sometimes an effort sensor is used to measure the traction force for better fuel consumption estimation.

Industrial tyres life

Tractor tyre life is measured by what is known as an ‘accelerated wear test’. It’s rigged to roll in realistic conditions for 24 hours a day. The test is done driverless to negate the effects of driving style. After a pre-set period, the tractor tyre tread is measured. These tests are then consolidated with actual farm use data to give an accurate assessment of tyre life.

What are the latest Michelin tractor tyre innovations?

Using these tests among others, Michelin is constantly innovating their tractor tyres. In fact, the company spends in the region of $450 million every year on tyre research and development.

Michelin’s Ultraflex Technology allows you to run tyres at lower inflated pressures. It increases footprint and reduces soil compaction. You’ll find your fuel consumption falls, the tyres last longer, and your crops grow better.

Just like Zetor developed a concept tractor, Michelin developed a concept tyre based on the Ultraflex Technology. When the concept tyre was first developed, Michelin’s Northern European Commercial Director, Mike Lawton, said:

“Farmers of the future face the substantial challenge of feeding ever-increasing populations with less arable land available to them. As a result, tractor tyre and machinery choice is going to become ever more important to maximise yield. Lawton continues… “Michelin researchers are exploring all avenues to develop the tyres of the future; this latest concept is evidence of this work in practice.”

Zetor’s concept tractor may be some years from coming on to full production, but Michelin’s latest tractor tyres are available now. Contact the team on 3375 3566, and we’ll be glad to discuss all the tyres we stock and our various tyre service options.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road (and fields!),

Kevin Wood

0 Truck tyres Brisbane – Tyre management strategies that slash costs

Truck tyres Brisbane – how to reduce fleet operating costs

As a fleet manager, you’ll understand how, whatever the economy is doing, it’s imperative to keep costs to a minimum. Fuel, insurance and labour costs are perhaps the most visible areas for savings to be made, but can you afford to overlook the cost of truck tyres in Brisbane and beyond?

Here, I look at how maintaining control of your truck tyres impacts fleet operating expenses, and what strategies a fleet manager can use to reduce costs.

The fleet market in Australia is alive and kicking

In its state of the Australian Commercial Fleet Market in 2016 report, Automotive Fleet noted that the fleet market was still growing despite some severe conditions in the major markets:

• Fleet sizes in Australia range from fewer than 20 to more than 1,000 vehicles
• Key commercial fleet segments are:
  • mining and construction;
  • telecoms and utilities;
  • daily rental;
  • Governmental (Federal and local).
• SUV sales boomed in 2015, with the segment making up 35% of the market, while light commercial vehicles accounted for 17%.

The major challenge for commercial fleet managers is the total cost of ownership.

Truck tyres Brisbane are assets, not consumable products

Without truck tyres, your commercial fleet in Queensland could not operate. Many fleet managers treat truck tyres as no more than consumable products. If they were regarded as financial assets and selected and managed with the same care as the trucks and trailers to which they are fitted, then their life would be prolonged with costs of repair and replacement falling. With some new tyres costing thousands (or even tens of thousands) of dollars, this strategy makes huge financial sense − especially when you consider that tyres are the third biggest running cost for most commercial fleets.

I’m not suggesting you do what the operators of New Acland Coal Mine did following the global tyre shortage of 2008 (its stockpile of 250 tyres worth more than $7 million has become something of a tourist attraction), but with sensible tyre management initiatives you could see a sizeable positive impact on your operating costs.

A simple strategy for managing your fleet’s truck tyres Brisbane

The 6-step tyre check regime that increases the life of a mining company’s tyres are as follows:

1. Check tyres on a daily basis
2. Look for bubbling or blistering, cuts, or rocks stuck in the tread
3. Signs of uneven wear could be a sign of a worn shock absorber or misalignment, for example
4. Check rims and rim components
5. Never mismatch rim components
6. Finally, ensure that all your tyre maintenance technicians are suitably trained and qualified

A few days later, the manager of a commercial fleet here in Brisbane (and one of our customers) told me of the strategy he uses to keep a lid on truck tyre costs. He operates a cradle-to-grave truck tyre management process, which includes the inspection and maintenance check above. Since putting this plan into action, tyre life is up and associated tyre costs have fallen.

The 7-step fleet tyre management strategy that cuts costs

Step 1: Purchase the best tyres that fit the purpose required

Whatever they are needed for, buy the best tyres that you can afford for the need. A little extra spending now is usually rewarded during the life of the tyre. Decisions about brand and tyre type should be reviewed regularly, and selected with consideration of the application, terrain and weather.

Step 2: Track truck tyres from day one

It is essential. Modern technology, such as advanced computer software and tyre pressure monitoring systems, has improved tracking effectiveness. However, if such equipment isn’t within the scope of your budget, you can still instigate a programme that measures the effectiveness of tyre brand and maintenance procedures, for example. Pen and paper and excel spreadsheets are incredibly powerful tools themselves.

Some fleet management systems measure individual tyre performance by wheel position – this helps to decide on rotation requirements.

Step 3: Delegate responsibilities

Before setting tyre maintenance policies and procedures, the fleet manager should delegate responsibility for all tasks. For example, will tyre pressure checks be the drivers’ responsibility, or duty for the maintenance section?

Step 4: Create a tyre maintenance policy and set out procedure

Set a timetable for tyre inspection, and establish a system for measurement and recording. Training may have to be given, and there will need to be appropriate tools for recording and communicating information. Checks and maintenance will include:

• Truck tyre pressures
• Tyre damage
• Tyre rotation and alignment

Step 5: Regular tyre cleaning

When dirt builds up on tyres, they become more susceptible to premature wear and tear. Oil, fuel, and other contaminants can deteriorate truck tyre rubber. Regular cleaning with a mix of detergent in warm water, combined with the removal of debris and objects such as nails, will help to prolong tyre life and increase tyre effectiveness.

Step 6: Decide on a tyre replacement and buying policy

You’ll need to decide how, where, and when you will replace your truck tyres and replenish your stock. Will tyres be re-treaded, and if so, at what point?

Step 7: Analyse why tyres have been scrapped

Whenever a tyre is discarded, examine it and its history (from your tracking programme) to discover why it needs scrapping. It will help you to figure out why your tyres are lasting for only the time they are, and put in place new procedures to prolong their life. It may be that a particular vehicle or driver contributes to shorter tyre life.

Cost-effective safety

As a fleet manager, you’ll be able to reduce costs by controlling all the factors within your control:

• Buy the best tyres within your budget for the intended application
• Remember the right tyre will aid performance, driveability and fuel consumption
• Monitor tyre maintenance as well as truck and engine inspections and repairs
• Make sure your drivers and maintenance staff get some training
• Track tyre performance, you’ll recognise shortfalls in maintenance programmes more easily and faster, as well as discover which tyres and treads provide your commercial fleet with the best performance, and your best financial returns.

With the efficiency gains your fleet makes: costs reduce and profits increase. Making your fleet more competitive so you can invest and improve your fleet performance elsewhere.

Call us today on 3333 5510, we’re happy to discuss your fleet requirements and how we can help you get the best from your truck tyres.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Brisbane Tyres – How to Change a Car Tyre after a Blowout

Brisbane Tyres – The how, why, and what of tyre blowouts

The chances are that you’ll never suffer a blowout; but if you do, be prepared for a harrowing experience.

In this article you’ll learn:

• What causes a blowout
• What it feels like to have a tyre blowout
• How to handle the car and come to a safe stop if you have a tyre blowout
• How to change a tyre on a car after a blowout
• How to prevent tyre blowouts

Why do blowouts happen on car tyres?

A tyre will only blow out if it is already failing in some way. Most commonly this will be because of a fracture or split in the tyre or one of its components, or a separation of the tyre components. If the tyre is damaged or worn, subjecting it to excessive stress could then cause the blowout – perhaps because of subjecting it to too much weight, driving too fast, or over-inflation.

Will a tyre blow out straight away?

Even if you over-inflate a tyre or ask it to carry too much weight, it’s unlikely to burst suddenly. It will probably take an extra tyre trauma to make it blow. This might be hitting a rock on the road, or bumping over a pothole, or perhaps kerbing the tyre while driving or parking. In the ordinary course of events, a tyre will deal with all of these with ease. When the tyre’s already damaged is when the chances of a blowout are increased.

Tyres are built to be resilient

Tyre manufacturers understand that we’re all human, and know that we’ll make mistakes when inflating tyres and loading cars.

On the tyre wall, you’ll notice a bunch of numbers. One of these indicates the maximum pressure. Let’s say that it states that you shouldn’t inflate to more than 35 psi. If you inflate to a pressure of 36 or 37 psi, it’s not going to blow. That’s a good thing because tyre pressure gauges in service stations are notoriously inaccurate.

Similarly, if you overload your car by a little bit, the car may sit a little lower than it should, but this won’t cause your tyre to blow.

When developing and testing tyres, manufacturers deliberately build in a margin of error. They test rims and flanges, overinflate tyres, and puncture tyres in the tread with a plunger to simulate a protruding bolt or nail.

In other words, tyres are resilient. But they’re not infallible. They do occasionally fail, especially if they have been mistreated or poorly maintained. That’s when you’re most likely to have a blowout.

How do you know you’ve got a blowout?

A blowout usually happens when travelling at speed, and the immediate effect is that your car will start slowing down and the steering will pull either to the left or right. The pull can be violent, almost ripping the steering wheel from your grip.

How to bring the car to a safe standstill

You’ll want to avoid swerving into a neighbouring lane, which can be difficult to do when taken by surprise. Swerve into another lane, and you could hit an oncoming vehicle or cause an accident with a vehicle travelling in the same direction. So you need to take action to avoid departing your lane.

You could also grind to halt, especially if you brake incorrectly, and cause a car from behind to slam into you.

To avoid both these outcomes, you’ll need to do two things:

1. First, keep your foot on the accelerator. This is easier said than done because your natural instinct will be to stop the car as quickly as possible. Keeping your foot on the accelerator will ensure you continue to move forward.
2. Second, steer the opposite way to the direction of your swerve. You need to drive gently, and not yank the steering wheel in the opposite direction to the swerve. This will correct the swerve and set the car straight.

Now that you have the car under control, you can steer to the shoulder taking normal driving precautions.

How to change a tyre after a blowout

Now that you’re safely on the side of the road, you can change your flat tyre. Put out your warning triangle if you have one, and use hazard lights to warn other road users of your presence. Now that you and other road users are safe, follow these instructions to change your tyre:

1. Remove the spare wheel from your boot, together with the jack and wrench.
2. Loosen the wheel nuts, without removing them completely.
3. Place the jack under the chassis and raise the car slowly.
4. Remove the wheel nuts.
5. Remove the wheel, and place to one side.
6. Place the replacement wheel in the vacant wheel space, and tighten the nuts (but not entirely).
7. Lower the car to the road, put the jack to one side, and tighten the wheel nuts thoroughly.
8. Check for safety.
9. Put your tools away, and place the wheel with the faulty tyre in the boot.

Some cars have emergency spare wheels, with tyres that are only designed to travel a short distance of around 50 kilometres. In this case, drive to the nearest tyre shop to get a new tyre fitted as quickly as possible.

As soon as you are home (or when it is practical to do so) call us here at Darra. Bring your car in, and we’ll check all your tyres, including the spare, to make certain that they’re in good shape and don’t need replacing.

If you don’t want a tyre blowout, here’s what to do

In almost every single blowout case I’ve seen, the blowout could have been aided by taking a few simple precautions. Of course, these include driving sensibly for different road conditions, but equally as important is how you treat your tyres:

1. Don’t overinflate your tyres. The tyre will have a maximum pressure stamped on it, but this is not necessarily the maximum you should inflate to. Every car has its own recommended tyre pressures. These are usually found on a label on the inside pillar of the driver’s door.
2. Check your tyre pressures at least once a month – the two minutes it takes could save your life. There are safety risks if you get your tyre pressure wrong.
3. Save your life and your money by proper tyre rotation. Tyre rotation is integral to ensuring even wear and tear, helping your tyres perform better and last longer.
4. Never buy fake tyres. You may save a few dollars, but you will certainly risk your life and the lives of passengers and other road users. (See our article titled How to make sure you don’t buy fake tyres, for tips that could save your life.)
5. Employ driving techniques that will help your car tyres last longer.

Finally, get an annual tyre check. Bring your car to our Darra Tyres shop, and we’ll check your tyres, wheel alignment, and balance. Our job is to make sure you and your passengers are safe on the roads.

Contact Darra Tyres today on (07) 3333 5510. We’re here to serve.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 The Dangers of Driving on Part Worn Poor Quality Tyres

What risk are you taking behind the wheel of poor quality tyres?

No matter how good a driver you are, if your tyres aren’t up to scratch you’re putting your life in danger. More importantly, you’re putting other people’s lives at risk. Poor quality tyres includes partly worn tyres, even if they were once high quality.

A survey in Australia last year found that almost half of all drivers did not know if their tyres were legal or not. Nearly a third of drivers quizzed in the survey admitted that they drove on worn tyres they thought were illegal.

In this post, I’ll look at some of the dangers of driving on part worn tyres that are, in fact, illegal. You’ll also discover how to ensure easily that your worn tyres meet the legal requirements.

Women are more at risk than men

The Canstar Blue survey questioned 1,600 drivers in early 2015. It found that:

• 40% of Australian drivers don’t know the law on tyre safety standards
• 29% believe they have driven on illegal tyres
• 25% don’t know what the correct air pressure for their tyres is, or where to find their tyre pressure guide
• 20% don’t know how to check their tyres for wear

Perhaps most disturbingly, female drivers are:

• two times more likely to not know about tyre safety standards; and
• three times less likely to know how to check their tyres are safe and legal.

What job do tyres do?

Your tyres are an essential part of your car. They help you stick to the road in all conditions. A good tyre properly inflated will reduce fuel consumption and improve the driving experience. In wet weather, they push water away and stop you from aquaplaning.

If you’re driving at 100 kilometres per hour, each of your tyres might have to expel as much as nine litres of water every second in wet conditions. If they didn’t do this, you’d feel like you were driving on ice.

It’s the tread and tread depth which enables the tyre to cope with this amount of water on the road. If you drive on a worn tyre, the grip is destroyed. You might as well be driving in the Arctic. You can imagine the devastation a 100 kilometre-per-hour crash causes. And all because you didn’t know how to check your tyres.

What is a legal tyre, and how do you check on wear?

Under Australian law, you must have at least 1.5mm of the tread where the tyre contacts the road. We used to check this with coin edges. Not very scientific, and not very accurate. Fortunately, most tyres now have tread wear indicator bars. When the tread has worn down to the limit, the tread bar will be level with the tread.

Tyre wear is caused by a range of factors. The roads on which you drive and the weather conditions in which you drive are two of the things that you have little to no control over. But excessive speed, late and violent braking, and driving corners too fast all add to tyre wear. Driving poorly not only increases the possibility that you’ll have an accident, but it also increases the cost of driving.

Don’t stop at checking tread

Tyres have a limited life irrespective of how you drive. Excessive heat or sunlight will deteriorate the rubber. Every time you rub the sidewall against the kerb when parking, a little bit more damage is caused to your tyre.

Tread wear is easier to spot than sidewall wear or other damage. Don’t forget that a spare tyre might not be roadworthy, even if it has never been used before.

Whenever you have your tyres replaced, get the spare checked. And if you’re not sure how to check your tyres to see if they are part worn, bring your car to us, and we’ll show you how.

Don’t be embarrassed that you don’t know the legal limits or how to check your tyre for wear – you’re in the company of almost half of all Australia’s drivers. Getting your tyres checked regularly will put you into the elite driver category – those who make sure their tyres are legal and that road safety is a priority.

Contact Darra Tyres today on (07) 3333 5510. We’re here to serve.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Where is the best tyre pressure guide for your car?

Best Tyre Pressure Guides are for you car and driving conditions not the tyre.

When I discussed the risks of getting your tyre pressure check wrong in my last post, I pointed out that most people make the mistake of looking at the numbers on the tyres when checking what tyre pressure they need to inflate to (rather than the cars tyre pressure guide). The tyre number is the tyre manufacturer’s recommended maximum for that particular tyre. The best tyre pressure that you should use will most likely be lower than this.

In this post, I’ll explain where to find the tyre pressure guide for your car,  and how to make sure your tyres are always inflated correctly.

What it the best tyre pressure for your car?

The majority of cars have a tyre pressure guide label on the inside of the driver’s door frame – commonly on the pillar. Sometimes you’ll find this label on the side of the glove compartment or the glove compartment door. Some manufacturers ‘hide’ it on the inside of the fuel filler door.

If you can’t find the pressure guide in any of these places, then you’ll need to refer to the owner’s manual, which came with the car.

You can check your tyre pressure with a good pressure gauge. Generally, the more you spend on a gauge, the more accurate it will be. However, you don’t have to spend any money on fancy tools and instruments to make sure your tyre pressure is right.

The easy way to check tyre pressure

Take your car to the nearest petrol station with an air station, and follow these steps:

1. Make sure your tyres are cold. Heat expands the air in a tyre, so ideally you shouldn’t have driven more than a couple of kilometres before checking tyre pressure. If you’ve driven further than this, have a coffee, read a newspaper, or take a ten-minute stroll.
2. Locate the lowest number on your tyre pressure guide. This is the cold tyre pressure recommended by the car manufacturer.
3. Set the air compressor to the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. You’ll be able to either read your tyre pressure or inflate the tyre to the pressure you’ve set.
4. Unscrew the valve cap from the stem on the tyre, and connect the air pressure gauge to the tyre valve. If it hisses, the gauge isn’t plugged in correctly.
5. Check the pressure reading is the same as the manufacturer’s recommended pressure. If it isn’t, inflate to the right pressure. Replace the valve cap.
6. Repeat for all tyres on your car.

Factors that make a difference to tyre pressure

In hot weather, tyre pressures rise, while in cold weather they fall. So it’s especially important to check your tyre pressure when the weather changes.

If you’re carrying an extra heavy load, you may need to inflate to higher than the recommended pressure – but never exceed the maximum PSI on the tyre sidewall.

Never make a judgment about tyre pressure by just looking at the tyres. Modern tyres can be deceptive, and often look underinflated when they’re not.

A word or warning about pressure gauges at petrol stations

It’s always best to spend a few dollars on an accurate pressure gauge. Petrol station air pumps are free, but they suffer a lot of abuse, and may not be calibrated accurately. So use the above method to check tyre pressure, but understand that your tyres might still be inflated to the wrong PSI.

If you have any doubts about the correct pressure for your tyres, or if you might have a slow leak, call into our tyre shop, or contact us on 3375 3566 to put your mind at rest.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyre Centre Tips – The risks of getting your tyre pressure check wrong

Tyre Centre Tips – Tyre Pressure, a couple of minutes each month could save your life and your pocket.

One of the common mistakes made by drivers is to inflate their tyres wrongly. When you do this, you risk your safety and comfort.  In this post, I’ll explain what could happen when you either over inflate or under inflate your tyre pressure. The Darra tyre centre experts will show you how most people get their tyre pressure check wrong, and why so many tyres ‘leak’ air.

What is tyre pressure?

Tyre pressure is the way that you measure how much air is in your car’s tyres. It’s measured in pounds per square inch (PSI), and you should check the pressures of all your tyres at least once a month.

If you don’t have the right tyre pressures, your driving will be compromised. In fact, I’d go as far as saying that your tyres are probably the second most important safety device on your car – second only to your brakes. You can save your life by proper tyre rotation, but only if they are properly inflated, too.

What could happen if your tyres aren’t properly inflated?

Improperly inflated tyres make for a less comfortable journey. You’ll bounce around a lot more, cornering will be compromised, and braking ability will be reduced. You could also find that your wheel alignment is knocked out of position.

In the worst case, it’s possible that your tyre could blow – most likely while travelling at high speed. If you’re lucky, the worst that will happen is reduced tyre life and a few less kilometres per litre of fuel.

What happens if you overinflate your tyres?

When your tyre pressure is too high, less of the tyre will be in contact with the road. Your drive will feel more bouncy. Because there is less contact on the road, your braking suffers. Wear will be uneven, causing bald patches and increases the risk of an accident.

What happens if you underinflate your tyres?

If you don’t have enough air in your tyres, there will be more rubber against the tarmac. Road friction will increase, and your tyres will degrade faster. Because of the extra friction, you’ll use more fuel.

With more of your tyre in contact with the road, overheating becomes a problem – especially in the summer months and on motorways. While blowouts don’t happen often, when they do, low pressure is a common factor.

If your tyres squeal when you are driving round corners, the chances are that your tyre pressure is low.

If your tyres appear to leak, should you be worried?

Tyres naturally lose air (pressure) over time. This is most likely due to temperature changes. According to the experts at Goodyear, every 10 degrees drop in temperature causes a fall of one to two pounds of pressure.

If the temperature hasn’t fallen and your tyres appear to be a little on the flat side, it doesn’t necessarily mean that they have a leak. It could be that air is leaking through the valve stem or where the tyre is in contact with the wheel. The safe thing to do is to get your tyres and wheels checked if you suspect you’ve got a leak.

Why most people get their tyre pressure wrong

Most people drive around with incorrectly inflated tyres. That’s because they make the most common mistake that drivers make. Instead of inflating to the recommended pressure, they look at the markings on the tyre and inflate to that pressure. These markings simply tell you the maximum that the tyre can be inflated to − not the best pressure for your car and model.

If you look on the inside of your door frame, you should find a label which details recommended tyre pressures. If it’s not there, get the car manual out and check before inflating.

Stay safe and cut your driving costs

Correctly inflated tyres reduce wear on the tread. Your tyres will last a few months longer. Your fuel economy will rise. Most importantly, your drive will be more stable, cornering will be smoother, and braking more responsive.

In the winter months, your tyre pressure will naturally fall as the temperature falls. You may find that you need to put more air into your tyres as the days get shorter. If we’ve had a particularly hot summer here in Brisbane and it’s followed by a freezing winter, your tyre pressure could be off by five or six PSI.

Make sure you check air pressure regularly as part of your vehicle inspection routine.

If you have any doubts about the correct pressure for your tyres, or if you might have a slow leak, call into our tyre shop, or contact us on 3375 3566 to get the answers to your questions.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood