Category Archives for "Car tyres"

0 Tyre Centre Tips – What to do in an instant when you tyre bursts

Driving along the side of most major motorways, freeways and highways you will see parts of shredded tyres on the side of the road. The same thought goes through everyone’s head, “imagine if that happened to me?” and “How does that even happen?”. These tyre centre tips give you the advice from the tyre experts at Darra Tyres on how to handle a tyre bursting.

What causes a tyre burst?

Every time you reverse park and nudge the gutter, hit the corner of a round-a-bout or park up on or against the gutter you could potentially be contributing to a tyre burst. It might not happen that day, week or month but you are increasing the risk of a tyre burst. So next time you see that shredded tyre on the side of the road take it as a reminder to get your tyres checked.

Would you know what to do?

Truth is, 90% of people when asked would slam on the brakes and that would be their first deadly mistake.

When travelling over 70km/h a tyre burst can be potentially fatal. The car will start to sway all over the road as you instantly lose control. Sounds scary doesn’t it?

Tyre centre tips to make a tyre burst a mere inconvenience not a fatal accident…

Get you’re foot off that brake!

First of all, don’t panic! Sudden braking at high speed when the car is already swerving all over the road can make things dramatically worse. Slamming on the brakes will cause the car to catch, spin and potentially roll. ONLY use the brake, and only use it gently if you need to stop the car from careering with another car or object.

Hold that wheel!

A firm grip on the wheel is needed to keep the car heading in one direction, certainly don’t try to counteract the swerving of the car with dramatic steering, this will have an adverse effect and make things worse. Hands firmly on the wheel and keep that car going straight.

Don’t be afraid to use the accelerator…

You’re probably thinking, “WHAT!! is he crazy?” but the truth is gently using the accelerator to maintain momentum can stop the car from swerving all over the road. You can use the accelerator but remember, gently!

Signal to safety…

Remember you’re probably not going to be the only car on the road, so don’t forget the basics. Signal with your hazards or indicators as to where you are going to pull over, let the other drives know that something is wrong so they can move safely away from you and give you room to breathe.

Ok, you’re safely off the road and out of harms way…

Make sure the coast is clear before getting out of your vehicle on the side of the road to fit a spare or assess the damage. If your tyre has burst at high speed there is going to be some damage to the wheel. If you don’t feel confident fitting the spare to a potentially damaged wheel then call a professional to remove the car for you or fit a new wheel. Don’t ever drive long distances on the spare, remember the last time you checked the spare? Didn’t think so! Drive straight to your nearest tyre outlet and have the damage assessed and a safe tyre and wheel fitted.

If you’re nearby give us a call!

We will be able to provide you with the best replacement tyre and wheel for your car and your safety. For more information, a quote or to speak to one of our tyre professionals call us now or enquire online and we will be in contact with you very shortly.

0 Michelin Tyres – Get More Miles for your Money

Michelin Tyres – Getting more for your money

As the tyre industry becomes more competitive consumers are constantly going to benefit. With companies being pushed to design and develop tyres that are going to save their customers money, that are good quality and that provide the highest level of safety.

Michelin have developed the updated version of the XM1+, wait for it, the XM2. This tyre has been significantly improved since it’s predecessor hit the market a few years ago.

What the new XM2 delivers…

The Michelin XM2 is boasting a huge 20% more mileage than a standard tyre. Great news for drivers around the world, as this means less frequent tyre replacements which translates into savings for you. The XM2 also has a 10% reduction in rolling resistance compared to the XM1+.

These new tyres from Michelin have been designed for maximum safety, especially in wet conditions. The XM2 evacuates water from the tyres surface by up to 20% more than the previous model thanks to new and improved tread grooves.

What is rolling resistance?

As tyres maintain their grip to the road whilst driving, between the tyre and the road a friction develops, known as the rolling resistance. This rolling resistance will generate quite a loud noise and cause the tyre to heat up. Rolling resistance can be reduced by using rolling resistant tyres such as the XM2 or by using other high quality tyres and by keeping your tyres properly inflated.

Compared to standard tyres low rolling resistance tyres can produce remarkable savings on fuel consumption. It is estimated that the XM2 could save you up to 150 litres over the life of the tyre. At $1.50 a litre that’s a saving of around $225!!

Will they fit my car?

The XM2’s from Michelin were released onto the market in June of this year and they have been made in 20 different sizes to fit most passenger cars.

To find out if they will be the right tyre for your car come down to our Darra premises and talk to one of our tyre experts, pick up the phone and give us a call on 3333 5510 or enquire online now.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyre Centre Tips – Things to remember with Run-Flat tyres…

Tyre centre tips for using Run-Flat Tyres

Run-flat tyres are modern tyre technology at it’s finest. A huge range of vehicles now come equipped with run-flat tyres as standard, while this is great for motorists by eliminating the dangerous practice of pulling over on the side of the road to replace a tyre, there a few things to keep in mind when replacing a run-flat tyre.

Can you replace a run-flat tyre with a standard rubber tyre…?

The short answer is yes. But there are some things that you need to be aware of with vehicles that have run-flat tyres fitted as standard. Vehicle manufacturers are taking into account the stiffer sidewalls of a run-flat tyre and will alter the suspension and steering of the vehicle.

What does this mean if I fit a standard tyre…

By fitting a standard a tyre to your vehicle that is made to operate with run-flat tyres can increase the risk of an accident due to decreased handling and control of the vehicle. Also the vehicle is equipped with onboard technology to alert you when a tyre is losing air pressure from a puncture or burst. Also, if you are driving a car that is designed to use run-flat tyres and something happens to the standard tyre that has been put on as a replacement you will be basically left stranded. Vehicles that have been designed to operate on run-flat tyres don’t have a spare.

Talk to you’re run-flat tyre experts…

Don’t get caught out trying to save a few dollars by replacing a run-flat with a standard tyre. You might save a minimal amount on purchase, but is it really worth risking lives for? Next time you have a run-in with your run-flat tyres make sure you come down to Darra Tyres and we can give you the best possible solution both for your wallet and your safety.

Come down and see us at Darra Tyres, call us or enquire online today to speak with industry experts with over 100 years combined experience.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Brisbane Tyres – Four Tyre Safety Checks you must do

Is your idea of checking your tyres a quick glance every now and then before you get in the car?

It is too often the case that tyre safety is taken for granted, the tyres on your vehicle are arguably the most crucial part and your point of contact with the road. Checking your vehicles tyres to make sure they are safe doesn’t need to involve you getting all greased up and wasting an hour of your time. With Brisbane tyres going through some challenging conditions then you need

Tyre Pressure

The tyre pressure of your tyres can be checked quickly and easily on your own. Whether it’s once a week when you fill up for petrol or you use a personal pressure gauge, which can be purchased from most tyre retailers or auto specialists. To avoid inaccurate readings the tyre pressure should be checked when the tyres are cold. Why? Because a heat build up in tyres after driving can affect the pressure reading of your tyres.

Condition of Tyre Wall

A quick visual inspection of the tyre wall can be a good way to check for cracking, cuts or bursts in the tyre sidewall. To get a proper physical inspection of your tyres it would be best to bring your vehicle down to us and we can give it a thorough check and teach you the best ways to practice tyre safety.

Check the spare!!

The tyre we all forgot about too easily. If you have had no problems with your tyres and have been maintaining them correctly then you probably have never needed the spare. But in the unfortunate circumstance that you get a burst or a puncture, will your spare be ready for the road?

Enough Tread?

If you’re unsure of how much tread a tyre needs to be legal it’s 1.6mm according to Australian Standards. All tyres will come with tread depth indicators which are rubber nodules that are moulded in between the centre tread on the tyres. If these are exposed or starting to wear then your tyres need replacing immediately. If you can’t find your tread depth indicators or are unsure if your tyres are above legal limit then you should come to us immediately. We can take the wheel off and show you how your tyres compared to the legal standard.

By following these guidelines to tyre safety you are saving yourself money and keeping your family and fleet safely on the road!

0 Tyre Shops Brisbane – Why you can trust a family owned business like Darra Tyres…

You don’t just get tyres from the team at Darra Tyres, you get a commitment…

What you and your business need is reliability, safety and cost effective solutions. You also need a tyre partner you can trust. The big tyre retailers are all about margins, sales targets and maximising their profit. While those things are key aspects to a business so are the relationships with its customers.

Being a family owned and operated business enables us to understand how important your business needs are. We believe in building key relationships with all our customers and we are committed to seeing you get the best products for your vehicles, drivers’ safety and your budget.

We’re here for the long haul…

You don’t just get tyres from your purchase from us at Darra Tyres, you get a commitment to your safety and business. We have all the tools to keep you on the road safer and longer. For all our passenger sales we provide you with a comprehensive 5,000 and 10,000 kilometre inspection of your tyres including a tyre rotation if necessary and wheel alignment at 10,000km.

And for our commercial customers we offer a 24hour roadside service to the greater Brisbane area. Repairs, punctures and replacements all done on the side of the road, so you are never left stranded!

Never worry about your fleet again…

With Darra Tyres fleet management system you will never have to worry about the safety of your vehicles tyres again. We will come to you to perform routine pressure checks and tyre inspections. All part of our commitment to keeping you safe and saving you money.

We have all your tyre needs…

From the sedan to the semi and the tractor to the trailer we have the right tyres for you. No matter what the vehicle or the budget we have got you covered. So give the team a call now or enquire online and one of tyre experts will contact you shortly.

0 Quality Tyres – Does US Senator Tom Harkin owe the Retreading Industry an Apology?

Hey guys,

We’ve no doubt that US senator was just being ignorant rather than trying to tarnish a whole industry, but his comments have the potential to tarnish the reputation of retreaders throughout Australia. Not that we expect any Aussie to be interested in US Democratic party speeches.

During the speech at the Iowa Democratic Party’s state convention on June 12, he referred to a Republican candidate as a ‘retread’ – an insult that has gained a some measure of popularity in the US.

He continued by saying “the problem with retreading is that they have a tendency to blow out and cause a lot of wrecks.”

Whilst the analogy may seem amusing it is actually quite far from the truth. The technology that goes into retreads today make the a viable option in many cases.

As with any decision that relates to tyres for your fleet you should be speaking to an expert who can tell you about the viability of each option.

It’s true, retreads used in the wrong situation have the potential to “blow out and cause a lot of wrecks” used correctly they can be an effective way of cutting costs.

If you haven’t considered using retreads or perhaps you want to know more about how they may or may not suit your fleet then give the team at Darra Tyres a call on 07 3333 5510 or contact us online here.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and the Darra Tyres Team

0 Tyre Centre Tips – The problem with Locking Wheel Nuts…

Hey guys, some tips from the experts from our tyre centre,

Many vehicles these days have locking nuts or security bolts. This locking wheel nut serves to protect the tyre and wheel from being stolen but it will also hamper our efforts to replace a wheel or tyre if you do not have the appropriate adapter that goes with the wheel.

It’s quite easy to tell if your vehicle has a locking wheel nut, look at the wheel nuts and normally one of the will be different, they will be round on the outside and have a design with the locking adapter fits into on the inside.

Please make sure you have this locking nut in your possession when we arrive to fit your tyres. This adapter is normally located in your glove box or the tool box in the boot of the vehicle.

If you cannot find this locking nut you may have to contact the manufacturer directly to receive one.

Keeping your Family and Fleet safely on the road, contact us on (07) 3333 5510 or using the online form here.

The team at Darra Tyres.