Category Archives for "Car tyres"

Tyre Centre in Brisbane explains why some Tyres are better in Water

Hey guys,

Kevin introduces the water dispersal properties of tyres and why certain tyres will work better in rain than others. If your looking for new tyres make sure you know which are the best tyres for your vehicle before heading to our Brisbane Tyre Centre.

We’ll be adding regular Darra Tyres videos to the website as a means of educating our clients. If you have any questions feel free to call the team on 07 3333 5510 and .

Yours in tyres,

Kevin Wood

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4 of the Best Tyres, 4 Different Environments, 4 Wheel Drive

So you own a four-wheel drive (4WD) fitted with the best tyres, but you just aren’t quite too sure how to use to its full potential? Don’t worry, there are many others out there in the same boat, well for this matter 4WD.

Here and some quick and helpful tips that can help you get the most out of your 4WD tyres in the most demanding conditions.

Driving on the beach:

There is nothing better than getting out in the great outdoors and especially taking your 4WD on the beach. However, there are a few things that you must know in regards to tyre safety.

Some beaches will have rock hard surfaces that act like a beach highway and driving on them will be as simple as driving on the road. But chances are the sand will be soft and windblown and you can find yourself trapped in seconds. The trick to driving on soft sand is to slightly deflate your tyres. Deflating the tyres gives the vehicles a wider footprint and therefore better flotation from the tyres.

Every vehicle will require a different amount of deflation depending on the size of the vehicle and the surface it’s going to be driving on. For most 4WD tyres around 15-20psi is a good indication.

Always remember to have a shovel and a couple of pieces of wood handy or tracks to get yourself out of the sand if required!

Driving through water:

It’s not as simple as getting a run-up and go! Stop the vehicle just before the water and get out to assess the conditions. You should try and walk the passage you intend on driving through if possible, to check for any obscure obstacles, depth of water and other things to look out for.

Select a low range gear and accelerate the whole way through the water. Don’t try and change gears midway through the crossing as water can get into the clutch plate.

There is no need to deflate the tyres for crossing water. But after the crossing is complete make sure to check the condition of the tyre and make sure there has been no damage to the sidewall of the tyre from any possible obstructions under the water.

Driving in the outback:

You may think that driving through the red dirt in the outback will require a similar method to that of driving on the beach? Think again.

‘Bulldust’ as it’s known in the outback should never be treated as sand and deflating your tyres pressure could have disastrous effects on your vehicle.

Below the thin red dirt lies a solid rock base that will pound the chassis on impact and could split the sidewall of a tyre that has been partially deflated. You’re best bet is to maintain speed and correct any vehicle movement by counter steering and acceleration.

Driving in the snow:

Not something Queenslanders has to deal with very often but we all love to go on a family skiing trip so it pays to know how to drive your 4WD in the snow should the need arrive.

Tyre pressures should be 25psi or higher when using chains. Tyre manufacturers recommend that cars with radial tyres shouldn’t travel faster than 40km/h when fitted with chains. After driving the initial 2-300 metres to get out and check the tension of the chains.

Remember to leave extra room between cars in the snow as longer braking distances are required.

It’s also very important to notify someone of where you are heading and how long you plan to be gone for in any conditions.

To find out more about 4WD tyres or to get the best tyres for your vehicle come down and see me or the team at our Darra workshop at 5 Station Avenue Darra. You can call us on (07) 3333 5510 or enquire online to get the best service and over 100 years of combined experience we are the independent retailer you can trust!

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

Buying_your_new_tyres_at_Darra_Tyres

Buying Quality Tyres from Darra Tyres in Brisbane What to expect

Do I have to fit the tyres myself?

No of course not! Fitting is included in the price given to you by the team at Darra, one of our experts in the workshop will gladly fit the tyres while you wait or if need be we can arrange for you to drop the vehicle off and be dropped back at work or home if in the nearby area, Darra train station is just metres from our front door so we are never far away!

Do I have to change all four tyres?

No you don’t have to buy 4 brand new tyres. However it is normally recommended depending on the condition of your tyres. By replacing only 1,2 or 3 the 2nd,3rd and 4th will eventually need to be replaced and there is an increased chance that it could leave you stranded on the side of the road due to a blowout.

What about new valves and a balance?

We include a balance and new valves with all purchases of 4 new tyres. We will also inspect the safety of your suspension to make sure there are no underlying factors that could have a negative effect on the wear of your tyres.

What kind of tyres do I need?

When enquiring about or purchasing tyres from us at Darra Tyres there are a few things we need to know when you are trying to find out which tyres are most suitable for your vehicle and budget. If possible when enquiring have the tyre size and load rating handy, the type of vehicle and we need to know a few things about how often the vehicle is used and where it used just so we can get the best tyre for your needs and your wallet.

To find out more or to enquire about products from Darra Tyres come down to 5 Station Avenue Darra or give us a call on (07) 3333 5510 and have a chat with the team.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

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Maintaining Quality Tyres, 4 Mistakes and How to Spot them

There are a few common causes of tyre wear, this article will discuss the reasons behind these common causes and the solutions to getting them fixed and preserving your quality tyres!

Over Inflation

If you have excessive wear on the centre of the tyres tread this is caused due to over inflating the tyres air pressure consistently. Think how the centre of the tyre will make more impact when it is over inflated and therefore causing the centre of the tyre to wear prematurely. Always check the tyre pressure according to the manufacturers guidelines on the tyre placard on your vehicle.

Tyre Under Inflation

Basically the exact opposite of what we just spoke about. Having an under inflated tyre will cause the inside and outside edge of the tyre to wear quicker than the centre of the tyre. Consistently having under inflated tyres will not only cost you more due to the need to replace the tyres quicker but are also extremely dangerous to drive on. Under inflated tyres cause lack of control, increased braking distances and poor handling. Again, always check the tyre pressures to the recommended pressure as per the manufacturers recommendation.

Wearing on one side only

If you have found that one side of your tyres is wearing faster than the rest of the tyre then your vehicle is need of a wheel alignment. When your wheel alignment is off it causes the wheel to lean too much on the one side and puts the majority of the weight/load on that part of the tyre causing it to wear down much quicker than the rest of the tyre. More than likely your vehicle will just need a simple wheel alignment but there could also be other factors that can affect the alignment and will need to be assessed by one of our team or a mechanic.

Cupping

Bent or damaged suspension can cause ‘cups’ or ‘scalloped dips’ appearing on your tyre. The will appear on one side of the tyre and it will look like someone has ground the edge of the tyre off. A wheel alignment can sometimes cure this, if this occurring to your tyres it is best to go straight to our workshop for proper inspection and to make sure the problem doesn’t lie deeper in the suspension parts or any other component that connects the wheel to the car.

To have your tyres and wheel alignment assessed by an industry expert come down to Darra Tyres in Station Avenue Darra. Our team has over 100 years of combined experience in the industry and we are here to help you! Call us now on (07) 3333 5510 and one of our team will contact you within one business day.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

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The best tyre brands, Inspired by Australia’s Tree Frogs?

So it’s obvious to all of us that tyres are what keeps us stuck to the road, but how do they do this, you may be wondering?

What has a tree frog got to do with the Best Tyre Brands?

Well the traction on the foot of a tree frog works very similar to that of a car tyre. The tree frog has pads on the bottom of their feet which are divided into tiny flat sections that work just like the tread of a tyre.

Spaces between the tread on your tyres allow the tyre to be able to grip to the road just a like a tree frog will grip to a window, branch or plant.

Why your tyres and frogs feet aren’t smooth…

If the base of the tree frogs feet or the tyres on your car were smooth think about how that would work. Would the tree frog be able to grip to the slippery reeds by the lake? Would your car stay on the road in the rain? Try and think about your slipperiest pair of shoes, now go and look at the soles. Most likely they will be extremely smooth with little to no gaps in the rubber sole. And when it rains we usually choose not to wear those shoes because we will slip.

So if your tyres have insufficient or an illegal amount of tread then they are going to tend to slip out as you accelerate around the corner or need to brake quickly. The tread on your tyres is what’s keeping you stuck to the road and keeping you safe, same with the bottom of the tree frogs foot, without this grip both the tree frog and you are in serious trouble.

So don’t take the risk or brush off the importance of having safe tyres.

Look after your family and fleet with Darra Tyres.

Come down and see us at our Darra Tyres Workshop, call us on (07) 3333 5510 or contact us to book your car in for an inspection free of charge, and one of our team will contact you directly within one working day. We will give you an unbiased opinion from independent industry experts.

We’re here to look after you!

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

Would you trust these poor quality tyres for your family?

Hey guys,

I was in a supermarket in Alicante, Spain when I stumbled upon the most dangerous sight. Sure the Spaniards are known for beautiful weather, crystal clear beaches, relaxed outlook, great sangria and fabulous paella but this really took the cake of relaxed.

€27.00 tyres and the kicker is they call them family car tyres. I wouldn’t trust my pet dog let alone me family to travel on these.

cheap Supermarket Tyres

On closer inspection the tyres are extremely poor quality, the rubber feels like something you’d expect off the back of a pencil, this will cause them to wear quickly, if you wheels aren’t balanced then they will wear unevenly, try and stop in the wet and you’re likely to slide all the way along the street.

Now sure Spain has great weather, it doesn’t rain, well I hate to say but it does, it rains and it pours, Alicante is the garden belt of Spain, know for its good rainfall, very much the same climate as Queensland.

So why would you sell poor quality tyres like this…

The answer is profit. These tyres are made from the lowest quality, many times from the offcuts and leftovers from other tyres, they aren’t meant to keep you safe they are simply meant to maximise profits.

I cannot stress enough about using a professional team, a team that knows your vehicle, your usage and the environment the tyres will be used in.

That’s what the team at Darra Tyres is all about… Proper tyres for your vehicle not €27 euro ones that will be lucky to last 6 months and aren’t appropriate for the driving conditions in Queensland and Australia. Give Kevin Wood or one of the team a call on (07) 3333 5510 to find out what tyres will best suit your needs and your budget, or click here to enquire online.

Your tyre experts in keeping your family and fleet safely on the road.

Kevin and the team at Darra Tyres

Poor Quality Tyres, don’t settle for Second Hand Safety

People can be quite deceptive when it comes to selling a second hand car, not only will they say “I’m the only owner it runs really well” and “Don’t worry about the rattling, my mates a mechanic he said it was fine” they will often go to extreme lengths to get roadworthy’s and safety certificates for a car that may not actually be roadworthy. Poor quality tyres can be the most dangerous part of a second hand car.

There has been a crackdown in Queensland in the past year or so on increasing the penalties for mechanics found to be giving roadworthy’s for a carton of beer or a sly $100. But the actual seller of the car can contribute to the car getting a ‘roadworthy’ and then changing parts back to make it the same old car.

Check the tyres!

Make sure the tyres are of legal tread depth. It has been known that people will buy a cheap re-tread tyre or even new tyres to put on the car to pass the roadworthy and then simply replace the old tyres and keep the new ones for their own vehicle.

Apart from this being illegal unless you know your tyres you may not actually notice until you have handed over your hard earned cash and driven away in your “roadworthy” car. If you are unsure of how to check this or don’t know what the legal tread depth is then click here to find our article on 4 checks for tyre safety.

Don’t feel pressured to buy something that’s not safe!

Feel free to have the cars tyres checked by the tyre experts here at Darra Tyres. Our team of industry professionals will be more than happy to check over the vehicles tyres and explain to you how much life they have left and if in fact they are legal or not.

So don’t settle for second best on safety…

So whether you are selling or buying call the team at Darra Tyres on (07) 3333 5510 or enquire online to book the vehicle in for a check. We’ll make sure your either selling a vehicle with safe tyres on it, or your new purchase is in fact legal and the tyres will keep you on the road.

Cheers,

Annette Wood

Choosing the Best Tyres for your Vehicle … Don’t Mix and Drive

As a general rule your car should only be equipped with the best tyres recommended by the manufacturer. Don’t worry it’s not a scheme to sell you expensive tyres! The manufacturers recommend certain tyre sizes and load ratings to match the vehicle.

Why shouldn’t I use different tyres on my vehicle?

To maintain your cars best possible handling, stability and performance you should avoid mixing tread patters and definitely not different size tyres on the one vehicle.

If you have run-flat tyres on your vehicle it is very important to only replace these tyres with new ones that support your cars run-flat technology.

Also, if you have a certain type of tyre fitted for a wet season or another different weather condition then you should ensure your car is fitted with the appropriate tyres for the current conditions.

But if my tyres are all the same won’t they all need replacing at once?

Ideally they would all need replacing at once, unfortunately due to maintenance or lack thereof, driving conditions and vehicle design all contribute to uneven wear on your vehicles tyres. Generally your tyres won’t all need replacing at once. Remember, replacing all four tyres at once saves four individual trips to the workshop!

If you tyres all need replacing at once it’s a measure that vehicle design, driving conditions and maintenances practices have worked in unison to equalise wear and performance.

It also allows drivers to see if they are getting their money’s worth out of the recommended manufacturer tyres. And can then make a decision to change the tyres to suit their needs and driving conditions or budget.

Do I need to buy four new tyres if they don’t all wear out at the same time?

Unfortunately this is the decision that drivers everywhere face everyday. To decide whether to replace just the tyres that require to be replaced or replace all four tyres. For the best traction and to maintain handling and stability of your vehicle it is usually best to replace all four. Not the best sign for your wallet, but here at Darra Tyres we have a solution to suit all budgets so you can get back on the road quickly and safely.

Because your tyres are arguably the most important aspect of the car as they are the only point of contact with the road it is best to try and always have the same brand, size, model and amount of tread depth on all four tyres.

To have your tyres checked by one of our industry experts come down to Darra Tyres, give us a call on 3333 5510 or contact us online here,

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and Darra Team

Tyre Centre Tips – hitting the curb will cost your tyres and vehicle

We are often in a hurry, whether we are running late for work, dropping the kids at school, struggling to make that appointment or running more errands than capable in one day. This often means that we are a lot more susceptible to hitting the gutter when parking, running up the traffic island or hitting the pothole a little bit too fast. Unaware at the time with our minds worrying about the shopping in the boot, making the meeting or picking up the kids, these bumps, knocks and ditches for our tyres are expensive and damaging. A top tyre centre tip is to take the time to avoid any sudden unnecessary bumps and jolts to the wheels; you might think ‘one bump doesn’t matter’ but when you get the bill from your tyre centre for a set of new tyres you’ll wish you’d taken a bit more care.

How will it affect my tyres and vehicle?

Knocking your wheel alignment out can have substantial effects on driving performance and tread wear on your tyres. By knocking your wheel alignment but just 1/8th. of an inch you can cause irreparable damage to your suspension, tyres and wheels. By having your alignment out by that much is the equivalent of dragging your tyres sideways for 84 metres every 1.5km you travel.

Prevention is the best medicine…

Obviously to avoid damaging your tyres and wheels is the first step to avoiding damage to your vehicles wheel alignment and suspension. In saying that we don’t always see the pothole coming up in the road, or in that tricky reverse park in the city we may accidentally push up against the gutter. There is only so much we can do to minimise the damage on our own behalf. Regular checks by Darra Tyres experts when you are purchasing new tyres or replacing a tyre is the best bet to help prevent damage to your vehicle and potentially your safety.

To have your vehicle inspected by experts who have been in the industry for years come down to Darra Tyre Service and receive the customer experience that you deserve. Give us a call now on 3333 5510 or you can enquire online and one of our sales team will be in contact with you very shortly.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and Darra Team

Best Tyres – Are space saver tyres convenient or crazy?

A few things you should know before hitting the road with your space saver spare

When buying a new car just be wary that it may be fitted with a space saver tyre. These tyres are generally fitted in smaller new vehicles to, as the name suggests, save space. While this is all good and well to fit an extra picnic basket or bag of shopping in the boot, are these really the best tyres to carry as a spare?

What’s the difference between space saver tyres and regular spare?

A space saver tyre is designed as the name suggests to save some space in the boot of your car, where a regular spare is much larger. The temporary spare will be a lot smaller in diameter and will usually be sporting a nice yellow rim.

So what’s the performance difference between a regular spare and temporary spare?

According to the RACQ a temporary or space saver tyre will significantly alter the emergency braking, steering and cornering of the vehicle. Due to their different size and abilities they can only be used for a certain distance and speed. Usually a temporary spare can only be used up to a maximum of 80 km/h for up to 2 hours. These tyres are not designed to be used for extended periods of time and should only be used to get the vehicle to the nearest workshop or tyre dealer.

A temporary spare tyre can be expensive to replace if used until it’s unroadworthy which is usually around 450km.

Does the car have ABS braking?

For those cars that have ABS braking fitted, attaching the temporary spare tyre will disable the ABS braking, this is because the smaller size of the tyre may cause the ABS to kick in unnecessarily, hence it’s disconnected. The driver must make sure the ABS braking is reconnected when a replacement tyre has been fitted.

Will the use of a temporary spare affect my insurance?

As long as the temporary spare is used within the vehicle manufacturers guidelines then it shouldn’t exclude your claim the insurer will determine whether the temporary tyre was used within specifications (Speed, distance, etc.)

If you require any more information or need a replacement tyre, spare or temporary spare don’t hesitate to give our team at Darra Tyres a call on 3375 3566. We have the industry experts and experience to get your vehicle safely back on the road. Don’t compromise on safety and give us a call now or you can enquire online and one of our sales team will be in touch very shortly.

Cheer,

Kevin Wood

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