Category Archives for "How to Tyres"

Why you should check your spare tyre if it rains in Brisbane

When was the last time you checked your spare?

The weather here in Brisbane can bring calamitous conditions to roads. The seasonal storms we have in Brisbane are particularly dangerous for drivers, because of their effect on tyres. Slippery roads make handling more difficult and increase braking distances. Not surprisingly, there are more accidents in the rain and on wet roads than there are when the weather is dry.

Rain is also bad news for tyre life. When tyre rubber is wet, it is damaged more easily. This makes it more likely that you’ll suffer a puncture. This is especially true if your tread is near the minimum legal tyre tread depth. In fact, it has been estimated that the likelihood of a puncture is doubled if you only have 10% of useful tread remaining on your tyre.

When did you last check your spare tyre?

Your spare tyre may be the most important you have. If you do suffer a puncture, a well-maintained spare tyre will get you to the nearest tyre shop or back home. If it’s flat, it won’t. A flat tyre is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Most drivers we meet in our Darra Tyres shop have never checked their spare tyre. If your vehicle is more than five years old, it’s likely that your spare tyre won’t be much use to you. All tyres have a limited life, even if they aren’t used. You can read more in our blog, “How do you know how old your tyres are and if they need changing?”

Our advice is to check your spare tyre at least once per month. Make sure that it is fully inflated and doesn’t have any debris in the tread. If one of your driving tyres is punctured, you’ll be pleased you took five minutes out of your busy life to make sure the spare is right.

What if you don’t have a spare tyre?

Some vehicles today don’t carry a spare. Instead, the manufacturer supplies a can of magic gunk to make an emergency repair. That’s all well and good until you suffer a real bad puncture. If you’ve been running your tyres flat, there’s a good chance that the sidewall will rip – especially in the wet.

That can of gunk isn’t going to fix a tyre with a bad puncture. You won’t be getting home until you’ve had the tyre replaced roadside – and that’s going to be more expensive than if you had been able to get to a tyre shop.

Prevention is better than cure

This is something my dad used to tell me all the time. It’s as true today as it was all those years ago. If you do what is necessary to prevent a catastrophe, then you won’t need to do what is necessary to recover from that catastrophe. Now, you may not think that a puncture is a catastrophe. Tell that to the driver who gets a puncture in torrential rain, spends 10 minutes getting the damaged tyre off, replaces it with the spare, and then finds the spare is flat when he takes the car jack off.

Here’s our advice to help avoid punctures when it’s wet (and when it isn’t):

• Check your tyres once per week. Make sure they are free from debris and inflated to correct pressure.
• If you notice any cuts, grazes, bulges or flat patches, take your tyre to a tyre shop to have it inspected.
• Once per month, do the same check to your spare tyre.

Simple, isn’t it? A five-minute check once every week could save you from a whole heap of bother on the road. When you’re already late for that important meeting, or to collect your kids. In the middle of a storm that would make Noah nervous. When you forgot your coat.

Prevention is better than cure. If you spot signs of damage on your tyres, or if the tread is starting to wear thin, or you have uneven wear, bring your vehicle into our Darra Tyres shop today.

For all your tyre needs, contact Darra Tyres – we’ll see you right.

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

10 questions that Queensland drivers frequently ask about their tyres

All you need to know about your tyres – or is it?

We get asked many questions about tyres. These are the 10 most common, with the answers you need.

1.    My tyre placard mentions particular tyres and rims. Can I fit different to this?

Yes, you can; but the tyre/rim combination and width/diameter must meet certain requirements. The amount that the width and diameter may change by depends upon the type of vehicle. There are different rules for 4WDs, passenger vehicles, etc. You can learn more by reading the Minor Modifications publication (PDF, 414 KB).

2.    Can I increase my vehicle’s ride height?

There are various ways that you could increase the ride height of your vehicle. These include by increasing your vehicle’s tyre dimension, lifting its suspension, or by using body blocks. The amount you can raise it depends on which methods or combination of methods you use to do so. The most that you can raise your ride height by for each single method is:

• 50mm by increasing the tyre dimension
• 75mm if raising by lifting the suspension
• 50mm by using body blocks

However, if you are using a combination of these methods, the most your vehicle can be raised is 150mm.

Just to complicate things a little more, these limits are not applicable to all vehicles. They are a good guideline, but for the exact raise you can make to your vehicle you should examine the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (PDF, 1.93 MB).

3.    Can I use low-profile tyres with a wider diameter on my vehicle?

This is possible to do, but you must make sure that the overall diameter, load rating and speed rating comply with legal requirements. Often, low-profile tyres will be fitted to larger diameter rims; this maintains the overall diameter to requirements. Once more, you should refer to the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (PDF, 1.93 MB).

4.    What is the maximum tyre diameter increases and decreases I can make to my 4WD?

With some 4WD vehicles, you may increase tyre diameter by up to 50mm and decrease it by up to 26mm, from the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended diameter. These are:

• 4WD passenger vehicles specifically designed for off-road use
• 4WD goods vehicles and their 2WD equivalents, if the chassis and running gear are essentially the same as the 4WD versions

However, all-wheel drive vehicles (AWDs) are not included in these. The Minor Modifications publication (PDF, 414 KB) provides the information you need.

5.    Can I lower the speed rating of my tyres?

You may want to lower the speed rating of your tyres, and this is possible, providing the tyres meet certain minimums. These are:

• 140km/h for off-road passenger vehicles
• 180km/h for other cars or car derivatives carrying up to nine adult passengers in seated positions
• 120 km/h for other motor vehicles

There is an exception to all these rules: if your vehicle has a lower top speed than the above, then the tyre may not have a speed rating above the vehicle’s top speed.

6.    Can I fit different brand tyres to the same axle?

Yes, though it is preferable to fit the same brand. However, what you cannot do is fit tyres with different construction (e.g. cross-ply, steel radials, textile radials, etc.).

We also recommend that tread patterns should be the same on tyres fitted on the same axle, though there is no legal requirement to do so.

7.    How often should I change my tyres?

Tyres last far longer today than they used to. However, when they need changing depends on many factors, such as:

• The type of road surface on which they are driven
• The wear and tear suffered
• The kilometres covered by the tyre
• Irrespective of any of the above, the age of the tyre

Most tyres will last between 60,000 and 80,000 kilometres. However, manufacturers recommend that tyres should be changed every five years at a minimum, due to age degradation of the rubber.

8.    How often should I check my tyres?

We recommend that you carry out four tyre safety checks at least once per month, and more often if you drive every day. If you are making a long journey, you should also carry these checks out. These four essential checks are:

• Tyre pressure
• Condition of the tyre wall
• Tread depth
• All the above on the spare

9.    Should I change all four tyres are the same time?

If you rotate your tyres, the wear and tear on them should be equal. If this is the case, you will probably need to change all four tyres at the same time. However, if not all four tyres need to be changed it is always best to change the tyres on the same axle simultaneously. This will ensure that handling and grip is uniform on the same axle, which will improve your safety on the road.

10. What is the danger of driving on worn tyres?

If you drive on worn tyres, you could be given a hefty fine. However, this should not be your main concern. Worn tyres provide less grip and traction. Your handling will be worse, and your braking distances will be longer. Worn tyres are a big contributor to road accidents and fatalities in Australia.

Do you have a question about your tyres? Are you unsure whether they are legal or if they should be changed? For the answers to all your tyre questions, contact Darra Tyres.

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

Tractor tyres: are you getting the best out of yours?

Tips to make your tractor tyres perform better and last longer

As a farmer, do you pay the same level of attention to your tractor tyre pressures as you do your oil and lubricant levels, or do you trust your luck? Underinflation can damage your tyres and your tractor. A couple of minutes spent checking and correcting your tyre pressures before you go into the field could save you a hatful of dollars.

How does running incorrectly inflated tractor tyres affect your costs?

It’s hard enough making money as a farmer, but habitually forgetting to check your tractor tyre pressures is just like throwing money away. Neglecting to pump up your tyres will lead to pumping up your costs. You’ll use more fuel, and the damage that could be caused to your tyres’ sidewalls will shorten their useful life.

Tractor tyres are designed to keep a certain shape. If you incorrectly inflate your tyres, the tyre will become misshaped (either overinflated or underinflated):

• Underinflation leads to several issues, including cracking of the sidewall, bead cracking, and torn lugs
• Overinflation results in a smaller footprint, a less stable ride, increased soil compaction, and more rapid wear

With new tractor tyres costing thousands of dollars, a regular two-minute pressure check is a cheap insurance policy.

Why do farmers neglect their tyre pressures?

Some experts think that a failure to run a tractor with the correct tyre pressure is due to laziness. I think it’s more complicated than this.

There are a lot of factors you need to consider when maintaining the correct air pressure in a working tractor’s tyres. You need to consider:

• The weight of attachments
• The tractor’s split weights
• Loads on the drawbar
• The task being done
• Tractor speed

A simple miscalculation can mean the tyres are not inflated correctly, and lead to the damage outlined above. For example, let’s say that your tractor tyre’s recommended capacity is 4,000kg at a specific air pressure. If you run the tyre at, say, 10psi or 20psi under that recommended pressure fully loaded, you will affect the performance of the tyre and the tractor. A flatter tyre has a smaller load capacity.

Do you check your tyre pressures correctly?

A common mistake that can lead to incorrect inflation is checking tractor tyre pressures when the tyre has been warmed up, after it has been working. Warm tyres will show a higher inflation pressure. When you come to work the tractor from cold, the tyres will likely be underinflated. You should always check your tyre pressures before you start your tractor working.

The curse of the front end loader

Front end loaders are common today. They are also responsible for a lot of the tyre wear we see.

Front end loaders put a lot of pressure on the front axle. If the tyre is not correctly inflated and adjusted for the load, it can quickly be damaged and fail.

The mistake of not inflating for the job at hand

Another common mistake is forgetting to alter tyre pressures according to the job the tractor is doing; for example, when you are running a dual configuration when seeding, and then forget to adjust the tyre pressures when running a single configuration during fertilising.

The mistake of adding water as ballast

Some farmers add water to tubed tyres to act as ballast, but doing so to tubeless tyres is likely to cause you some serious issues.

In a tubeless tyre, the water comes into direct contact with the rim. The resulting rust weakens the fabric of the wheel. In addition, using water as ballast on radial tyres reduces their effectiveness because you reduce the flexible nature of the tyre – and traction reduces.

How to get longer life from your tractor tyres

The best tyre tips I can give you to get the best performance from your tractor tyres and your tractor are:

• Make it routine to check your tyre pressures before you start working with your tractor
• Inflate the tyres to the correct pressure for the load to be carried and the job to be done
• Keep the tyres clean
• Wash off caked mud, oil, diesel and petrol
• Never ballast tubeless tractor tyres with water

Finally, if you can’t be sure of what pressures you should be running your tractor tyres at for different applications and with different loads, contact Darra Tyres. We’ll be pleased to share our tyre knowledge and expertise with you.

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

How should Brisbane drivers choose their next set of new tyres?

3 things to consider when buying new tyres

Recently a friend of mine described to me how his son had spent three days researching what laptop he should buy. It was important for him to choose the one that would allow him to work online and stream films. Speed and memory were important, as was screen size and resolution, and a keyboard that was a perfect fit for his fingers and his budget.

Yes, we all put a lot of effort into making sure that we select the right laptop, sofa, television or car. Yet when it comes to tyres, most people simply take their car to a tyre shop and get their tyres changed.

Think about this for a moment. People spend days researching and comparing laptops before they make a buying decision, but they make a snap, on-the-spot decision when they buy new tyres – a component that determines comfort and safety every mile they drive. That seems a mad way to go about things, doesn’t it?

This article will help you choose your next set of new tyres with ease.

What to consider when you buy new tyres

Savvy drivers buy premium tyres in Brisbane, but always work within a budget. They know that cheaper brand tyres can end up costing more in the long term: they are made with lower-quality rubber compounds. This is likely to affect performance, increasing breaking distances and reducing safety, and decreasing tyre life.

When you are working within a budget, the secret to buying new tyres is to consider three elements: tread, construction, and rubber compound.

About new tyre treads

Tyre tread does a number of jobs. It provides grip and traction on the road, helps to expel water so you avoid aquaplaning, and aids drive comfort.

The first thing to consider when deciding on tread is the type of driving you do:

• For driving on roads, a highway design tread is perfect
• If you drive off-road, perhaps taking trips into the outback at weekends, an all-terrain tyre will cover you for driving on dirt, sand and woodland tracks
• For those who are regular off-road junkies, a deeper, more open tread will provide a better drive experience over longer off-road trips
• If you expect your off-road trip to take you through a lot of water and mud, and over rocky outcrops, mud tyres will provide the perfect combination of traction and balance

When considering tread, remember that the deeper the tread, the better the grip. Therefore, if all other elements are equal, it is probably best to go for the tyres with deeper tread to provide the best performance within your budget range.

When you buy new tyres, you should always tell the tyre technician what type of driving you do most, and explain your driving style. This will help them give you the best recommendation.

Tyre construction

New tyre construction has come a long way. The carcass is responsible for most of a tyre’s performance. Tyres are built in layers. The bead and bead filler provide stability and flexibility needed during manoeuvres. Steel belts provide rigidity that stops the tyre from changing shape. Other layers, which may include nylon, help to create a smoother and more comfortable drive.

When buying new tyres, ask about the tyre construction and what features the tyre has that will give you the driving experience you desire.

Rubber compound

Tyres are made from compounds of rubber and other materials, and the mix really can make a big difference to performance and tyre life. Cheaper tyres are made from cheaper and less stable compounds. They can quickly become brittle – especially in the sun here in Brisbane – and they weather poorly. You may find that instead of a useful life of five years, you may need to change a tyre made with an inferior compound after just three years. In a 10-year period, you could need three sets of new tyres rather than two.

Tyre manufacturers spend hundreds of millions of dollars each year on research and development. Much of this is spent on improving tyre compounds so that they more readily resist cutting, tearing and chipping. This means that for those drivers who rack up a high mileage, the tyre is less likely to suffer damage that could lead to a tyre blowout.

Still not sure which are the best new tyres in Brisbane?

Research is essential to buy the best, whatever it is that you are buying. Even then, you are likely to seek the advice of an expert. For that expert advice when buying new tyres in Brisbane, drop into our tyre shop in Darra. Or simply get in touch online – we’ll be happy to call you back and help you.

(See more tyre buying tips in our article “What new tyres should you buy in Brisbane?”)

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

What are the tyre brands that Brisbane drivers should be driving?

Tips to choose your tyre and match to the best brand

If you look after your tyres well, they should last longer (see our spring and summer tyre maintenance tips for Queensland drivers). More importantly, you’ll be maximising how effective your tyres are. Keep them correctly inflated, watch for signs of damage, and keep an eye on tread depth, and you’ll enhance fuel consumption, comfort and safety.

However, no matter what distances you drive and how you drive, eventually you’ll need a new set of tyres. Manufacturers recommend no longer than around five years between tyre changes. In this article, you’ll learn how to pick the type of tyre you need and what brands are considered the best for Brisbane’s drivers.

What type of tyre do you need?

Before looking at brands, you should consider which type of tyre you need for your vehicle. Broadly, there are a few types of tyre available. These include:

·      SUV tyres

For SUVs, drivers should opt for a tyre that offers improved handling, braking and stability. If travelling off-road, a more rigid tyre will offer better control. Michelin scores highest with Australian motorists surveyed by Canstar Blue, for performance in wet and dry weather conditions, stopping ability, and value for money, among many other qualities.

·      Small car tyres

Drivers of small cars are most interested in tyres that last longer and provide good value for money. This doesn’t mean cheap tyres, but rather tyres that are reasonably priced with good performance – top brands such as Goodyear and Michelin, are most favoured.

·      Ultra-high performance tyres

High-performance cars need high-performance tyres, to give the best handling, steering and braking performance in a variety of weather and road conditions.

·      Sports tyres

Sports tyres are more expensive than most other tyres. For many years, the lead brand in this area has been Pirelli. However, according to Canstar Blue, Pirelli has lost its top spot this year, though this may be because sports tyres are not best suited to family vehicles.

·      Low-noise tyres

Many of the top brands have developed tyres that are designed to reduce road noise in the cabin. Top of the group are Pirelli, Michelin and Goodyear.

What are the best tyre brands?

In its 2018 tyre survey, Canstar Blue assessed several factors with each allotted a star rating from one to five. These factors are:

• Overall satisfaction
• Value for money
• Tyre life
• Stopping ability
• Dry weather handling
• Wet weather handling
• Noise

Here is how the major brands rate:

Australia’s drivers appear to prefer Michelin – and these opinions should mean a lot: they come from people who use these tyres and who have bought them in the last two years. However, when choosing the best tyre for you, you should consider not only your vehicle, but also your driving style, where you drive, and your budget.

For the best brands, a fantastic personal service, and the help you deserve when you need new tyres in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres.

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

How to avoid the life-threatening mistake of buying fake tyres

Tips on how to spot a fake tyre and only buy genuine

If you make the mistake of buying fake tyres, you will be putting lives at risk: yours, your passengers, and other road users. Counterfeit wheels buckle and break more easily – recent tests have shown that they can disintegrate at just 50kmh when a pothole is driven over.

Fake tyres are equally as dangerous. Think about it: when you buy a fake tyre, you are buying an unauthorised version of an original. It may have been made with stolen or copied moulds or substandard rubber compounds, and will not have undergone the rigorous safety testing that genuine manufacturers make.

A fake tyre is a little like a fake Versace handbag – it looks great for all of five minutes, then will fall apart at the seams when put under any stress. Fake tyres cost more in the long run, will increase your fuel consumption, and will give you a less than satisfactory and more dangerous driving experience.

Here are 7 ways to spot a fake tyre.

1.     Misspellings on the tyre and/or packaging

This is a big giveaway that the tyre is a fake. If it is Firelli instead of Pirelli, or Bidgestone instead of Bridgestone, it’s a fake. You might get away with a pair of ‘Rayburns’ as sunglasses, but fitting ‘Mishelin’ tyres on your truck is a whole different ball game. Watch for misspelled names and fake logos.

2.     No marking on the tyre sidewall

The markings on the tyre’s sidewall details all the information you need to know about a tyre – its size, pressures, date of manufacture, etc. Even if you don’t look at these marks, if they aren’t there you shouldn’t buy the tyre.

3.     The tyre is sold without paperwork or packaging

If you buy tyres from a reputable dealer, you’ll get paperwork with them – a warranty, for example. If there is no paperwork available, this is another warning sign that the tyres you are buying could be fakes.

4.     The colour is ‘off’

Tyres are black (mostly). If the tyre you are buying is any colour other than black, then you need to tread with caution.

5.     The tyres don’t stand up to the ‘kick test’

Ever heard the saying, ‘kick the tyres’ when buying a used car? There’s a reason for this. They shouldn’t damage from a few light taps with the toe of your boot. If they do, just imagine what damage accidently kerbing your vehicle will do to the tyre on the road. Flimsy tyres are made with substandard rubber compounds. Don’t go there.

6.     They are available in a strange location

Shady deals are done in the shadows. The same is true of fake tyres. A bona fide dealer, selling good products, won’t need to meet you in a car park to exchange a set of tyres for a pocketful of cash.

7.     The seller won’t tell you they are genuine

Finally, if the seller avoids giving a straight answer when you ask if the tyres they are selling are the genuine item, it’s a big red flag that you are about to be conned into buying counterfeit tyres.

How to avoid buying fake tyres

So, now you know how to spot fake tyres, let’s run through a few rules to make sure you never get caught out:

• Always examine the tyre – for misspellings, missing information, colour, and with the kick test
• Check the tread depth, and compare to the brand’s details on its website
• Compare tread pattern with the tyre’s tread pattern on the brand’s website

Finally, only ever buy tyres from a recognised and reputable dealer. This rule holds true for online purchases, too (read our article “Avoid these mistakes when buying tyres online” for more tips).

Here at Darra Tyres, we’ve been in the tyre business for more than 40 years. We supply tyres from the best brands, at all budget levels, and guarantee our service and tyre quality. For all your tyre needs in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres.

Keeping your family and fleet safe on the road,

Kevin Wood

What is the best tyre pressure for your 4WD?

4WD tyre pressures for all terrains

If you’re an avid reader of this blog, you’ll know that here at Darra tyres we consider tyre maintenance and driver safety to be important issues. You’ll also know that we write a lot about the importance of tyre pressure. Much of the damage caused to tyres is because they are driven on at the incorrect pressure. As well as being one of the major causes of uneven tread wear, over- or underinflated tyres also reduce fuel consumption. That’s a double-cost whammy that is easily avoided by a quick tyre check before you set off on your journey.

In this article, you’ll learn about tyre pressure in your 4WD tyres, and what the correct pressure to inflate to is.

4WD tyre pressure is a unique beast

The pressure you inflate to when driving a 4WD vehicle depends on the terrain you will be driving on, as well as the vehicle and load. Different driving conditions require different tyre pressures for the most effective drive experience. You’ll need to inflate and deflate according to need.

On normal roads and highways, you should inflate to your vehicle’s recommended pressures. But there are times when you’ll need to reduce tyre pressure.

When to reduce 4WD tyre pressure

When you are driving off-road, reducing your tyre pressure is not only desirable, it is essential. A lower pressure makes your tyre spread, providing more tyre traction on surfaces such as sand and mud. Without that traction, you won’t move, and could get buried in sand. So, deflate to create a wider surface area in contact with the ground, gain more traction, and move more easily.

You should also use a lower tyre pressure when driving over rocky surfaces, though the reason is different. 4WD tyres with a higher air pressure are more susceptible to punctures from sharp rocks and stones. Taking some of that air out provides more give to the tyre, allowing it to drive over rocks with less chance of suffering a puncture.

The faster you drive, the higher your tyre pressure should be

As a general rule, the faster your drive the higher you should have your tyre pressure. Off-roading over tough terrain, where you are more likely to encounter mud, sand and sharp rocky areas, requires slower drives and lower tyre pressures. Much is down to experience.

The best choice a 4WD enthusiast can make is to select the best-quality tyres in his or her budget range, then deflate and inflate according to terrain, driving conditions and driving style. Remember to alter your tyre pressures on your travels, and you should never get stuck in the mud or punctured on the rocks.

For the best tyre service in Brisbane, and advice on tyres and how to make them last longer, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

Five things all drivers should know about their tyres

Key tyre knowledge to save your pocket and your life

Your tyres are all that stands between you and the road. You may believe it is your driving skill that is the reason you avoided that fool in the road a couple of weeks ago, but don’t ignore the important part your tyres played in the success of your emergency manoeuvre.

Tyres are integral to your comfort and safety on the road. They are the main component in smooth cornering, an imperative element in braking, and they handle the entire weight of your vehicle, passengers and load. That’s why good drivers learn to ‘feel’ their tyres. They listen to them. They check their tyres regularly.

Here are five things that you should know about your tyres.

1.    Tread depth matters

The minimum tread depth in Queensland is 1.5mm, but experts recommend replacing tyres if the tread depth is less than 3mm. This is because tread depth saves lives. In wet weather, the distance travelled when braking with a tread depth of 1.5mm can be as much as nearly 50% more than with a tread depth of 3mm. That could be the difference between life and death – and the extra braking distance can be equally dangerous on dry roads.

2.    Incorrect tyre pressure is a cost and a killer

Poorly inflated tyres cause uneven wear, meaning your tyres will need replacing more often. That’s a cost that is easily avoided by checking your tyre pressures regularly. But this may not be the biggest cost of driving on poorly inflated tyres. When underinflated tyres get hot, they are more prone to blowouts – and at high speed, this could be a killer.

At best, poorly inflated tyres will use more fuel, wear quicker, and cost you more money. At worst, they could cost you your life.

3.    Tyre pressures should be checked cold

You’ll find the correct pressure for your tyres on the inside of the door jamb and/or in your vehicle owner’s manual. These tyres pressures are based on cold tyres, so, if you check your tyre pressures when warm, the check becomes almost useless.

Even a short drive will increase the heat in your tyres and raise the tyre pressure. Accurate readings can only be taken before you drive anywhere, and best after a couple of hours of standing idle.

4.    Uneven wear provides important clues

Uneven wear on your tyres provides big clues to underlying problems. It could be that your tyres are not properly balanced, or that your wheels are out of alignment. Poor tyre pressure creates different wear patterns, and poor suspension also causes uneven wear.

If you notice uneven wear on your tyres, it is best to take your vehicle to a tyre shop to get your tyres, wheels and suspension checked.

5.    Understand the feel, sight and sound of tyres

When driving, take note of the sound and feel your tyres give you. A little road noise is to be expected, but if you hear something out of the ordinary, it could be a sign that a tyre is punctured or has been damaged.

The same is true of vibrations while driving. It may be that you are on a really rough road, but if the vibrations continue on smooth tarmac then you may have a problem with the tyre – though it could also be caused by the wheel or faulty suspension.

The best thing to do if you notice any of the above is to stop and check your tyres. Check for wear, tyre pressure, and cracks in the sidewall, which could be caused by age, debris on the road, or kerbing. A crack or blister could be a sign that you are about to have a blowout. Change the tyre for the spare, and get to the nearest tyre shop as soon as possible.

Finally, check your tyres regularly. At least once a month. Better still, once a week. Best of all, before every journey you make.

For the best tyre service in Brisbane and a commitment to your safety within your budget, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

How can Australians get the best out of their new tyres?

Tips to stay safer when your tyres are new

Vehicle engines have come on a long way in the last 30 years. I remember a time when you had to run in a new engine gently, driving for a few hundred miles at sedate speeds before reverting to your usual driving style. This is no longer required. Advances in engine technology mean you can take liberties with a new engine that you never used to be able to. The same can’t be said of new tyres.

Tyres are like shoes

Even though they have advanced similarly, tyres are more like shoes: they need to be broken in. Unless you spend time softening up a pair of shoes and getting them ‘moulded’ to the shape of your feet, you’ll cause yourself all sorts of problems. Corns. Blisters. Bruises.

To get the most from your tyres, you need to give them time to get out of their ‘shelf shape’ and into their ‘road shape’.

It’s about the manufacturing process

During manufacture, the layers of rubber and other materials used are lubricated to stop them sticking to the moulds used to shape and cure them. When you buy a new tyre, some of this lubricant is still present on the tyre, making it slippery on the road – I expect that you’ve noticed this, and, perhaps, even wondered why a new tyre with so much tread should suffer from lack of grip.

Driving a little more carefully on your tyres – cornering more slowly and braking less harshly – gives this lubricant time to wear off the surface of your tyre’s tread, producing a little more grip. A little like the soles of new shoes giving better grip when they are a little ‘roughed up’.

Driving gels the tyre together

Another reason to break in tyres is that it allows the rubber compounds used in the tyre to gel together properly under operational use. It’s a little like your shoes shaping themselves to your feet and how you walk. One side of a heel may wear a little faster than the other, and those slippery soles will grip better as they become roughed up where they contact the ground most.

New tyres settle into your vehicle and your style of driving over a period of time. They adjust to load and weight distribution as the compounds gel together. As this process occurs, you’ll find that your ride becomes more comfortable and the performance of your tyres surer. You’ll start to feel the response when you corner and brake as the tread softens a little.

Getting the best out of your new tyres

When I’m braking in a new pair of shoes, I tend to wear them in the house for a couple of hours a day for a few days. Then I venture outside, but again only for a few hours. Eventually, when they are broken in properly, they will feel as comfortable as a favourite pair of slippers.

Obviously, you can’t take a drive around your living room to help get your tyres adjusted, but you can drive a little more gently before driving as usual. Here are a few tips to help you break in your tyres effectively:

Breaking in your tyres will help to keep you safe on the roads for those crucial first few hundred miles, and allow your tyres time to adjust fully to their new owner, vehicle and load. This should also help your tyres to perform better and last longer without causing you any discomfort.

For the best tyre service in Brisbane, and a commitment to your safety within your budget, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

What does the tread wear on truck tyres tell a fleet manager?

5 types of tread wear and how to correct them

Your fleet depends on their tyres. The more wear they suffer, the more fuel your trucks will use. Irregular tread wear makes handling more difficult and lengthens braking distances, and this makes your trucks less safe – risking the lives of drivers, other road users and pedestrians.

What causes irregular tread wear?

There are many reasons tyres wear irregularly. On steering axles, you’ll often find that tyres wear more on one shoulder (most commonly the nearside shoulder) as road cambers, cornering, and roundabouts take their toll.

On drive axles, tyres tend to wear faster on the inner edge of inner tyres. Under- or overinflation also causes irregular tread wear, as does a poor wheel alignment.

5 types of tread wear and how to correct them

Here are the five types of irregular tread wear that your truck tyres might suffer, with likely cause and corrective measures you should take.

1.    Tread wear in the centre

If your tyre tread is worn along the centre of the tyre, the most likely cause is overinflation. However, it may also be caused by mismatched tyres and rims, or by the high torque on drive axles.

Make sure that the correct tyres are applied for the rims used, and ensure that the tyre pressure is adjusted to the recommended pressure according to location and load.

2.    Tread wear on both shoulders

This may also be caused by incorrect matching of tyres and rims, but is more likely caused by underinflation.

Once more, check to ensure the tyres and rims match, and adjust inflation pressure accordingly.

3.    Tread wear on one shoulder

Should a truck’s tyre tread be worn on one shoulder, there are several possible causes:

• Excessive toe or camber, caused by misalignment
• Non-parallel axles
• Bent axle
• Incorrect tyre and wheel assembly
• Severe operating conditions

In this case, it is important to identify the cause of the tyre wear and correct any mechanical faults. If the tread wear is not too severe, it may be possible to turn the tyre on the rim.

4.    Tread wear is diagonal

Diagonal tread wear also has many possible causes:

• Dismounting of tyre and wheel assembly to the trailer
• Mismatched twins
• Driving at high speed when empty
• Improper bearing adjustment
• Toe-out alignment

Identify the fault that is causing the irregular tread wear, and correct it. If the wear is not too severe, the tyre may be turned on the rim. If the tyre wear is caused by driving style, some driver education will be necessary.

5.    Tread wear is in flat spots

Flat spots on the tyre are usually caused by poor driving technique, with sharp braking causing wheels to lock and wear quickly in patches. However, it may also be that the truck’s braking system needs adjusting – for example, locking brakes may be caused by the incorrect adjustment of trailer brake controls.

Drivers should be reminded of driving technique and to avoid harsh braking, and braking systems should be checked and corrected.

Turning the tyre on the rim

Turning the tyre on the rim can extend the life of a tyre and reduce tyre costs. However, it must be done early enough so that wear is equalised. If the difference in the tread is 3mm or greater between shoulders, you should turn the tyre.

Wear on the sidewall could also be a sign that the tyre should be turned. If the lettering or sidewall indicator is disappearing, you should have the tyre checked to ensure that it is safe to turn.

At Darra Tyres, we provide a 24/7 commercial outside service, outside fitting, and truck callout service, in addition to our on-site services. To discover why so many businesses in Brisbane put their faith in our technicians, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood