Category Archives for "New Tyres"

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

Why savvy drivers buy premium tyres in Brisbane

Four big advantages of buying the best tyres you can afford

Tyres. Expensive pieces of must-have equipment for your vehicle. Without them, you won’t get very far. However, when it comes to the need to replace your tyres, you may be tempted to go for the cheapest set possible. You’ll save a fair few dollars right off the bat. But are they really a saving in the long term?

As strange as it may seem, cheaper brand tyres may end up costing you more in the long run. They may also compromise your safety, reduce performance, and affect the comfort of your drive.

In this article, you’ll learn why savvy drivers in Brisbane choose premium brand tyres over their cheaper competition.

1.    Premium brand tyres can save on fuel

Most premium brand tyres are more efficient on fuel than the cheaper brands. They are designed to offer less road resistance (while maintaining traction), and this lower resistance translates to lower fuel consumption. You’ll travel further on a single tank of fuel. That’s a saving direct into your pocket every time you take a trip out.

2.    Premium tyres give shorter braking distances

It can be super sunshine one minute and then the roads can be awash with torrential rainwater here in Queensland. Premium tyres have benefitted from hundreds of millions of dollars spent on research and development, and tend to offer far shorter braking distances in all conditions. When it’s wet, that could be the difference between a costly accident and a near miss.

3.    Premium tyres offer a better driving experience

The highly developed tread patterns on premium brand tyres, better quality rubber compounds and years of development have resulted in better traction on the road. This adds up to a smoother more satisfying drive, better handling round corners, and a more comfortable driving experience. You’ll notice the difference even on short journeys, but on long-distance drives (or the annual road trip in Queensland or across Australia) that extra comfort can be the difference between an evening with back pain and a relaxing night’s sleep.

4.    Premium tyres last longer

A friend of mine was once made redundant, and as part of his redundancy package he had to attend a number of courses. One was on clothes. He was asked how much he spent on his shirts. He replied that each one cost around $30. The instructor said that he would be better to spend twice as much on them.

When he asked why, the instructor said, “They will last twice as long, fit and feel better, and give a better impression.” She could have been talking about tyres.

Premium brand tyres last longer. They are made of premium quality rubber compounds, and benefit from the best in technical development. Quality isn’t cheap, but it is usually worth the extra money you spend.

In summary

It can be tempting to save a few dollars when replacing a worn tyre, but the initial saving could be dwarfed by the eventual cost. It is likely that you’ll compromise on performance and safety, use more fuel, and need to replace your cheaper tyre sooner.

Premium brands spend hundreds of millions each year on research and development. The result of all this engineering, testing and re-engineering is a quality product made with quality materials. Premium brand tyres are definitely worth the price. That’s why we’ll always recommend them.

If you are on a restricted budget, our advice is to buy the very best tyre your pocket can stand. When it comes to safety drive comfort and long-term costs, it’s the very best advice we can give.

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

How to avoid getting a flat tyre in Brisbane

6 tips to avoid being stranded with a blowout

I don’t know a single Brisbane driver who enjoys paying tolls, insurance, vehicle registration duties, services, or paying for the fuel they put in their vehicle. But these are costs and events that can be planned for. Others cannot, and always seem to happen at the wrong time – either when you don’t have the cash to pay for it or you’re short of time. A flat tyre is one of these.

In this article, you’ll learn a few things you can do to help prevent getting a flat while driving in and around Brisbane.

1.    Drive on correctly inflated tyres

If you drive on underinflated tyres, you are more likely to suffer flat tyres in Brisbane. Correctly inflated tyres bear loads properly and ensure that the rigidity of the tyre sidewall helps to protect it from bumps and scrapes. Additionally, the tread of underinflated tyres is less pronounced. This means that debris on the road is more likely to puncture the tyre.

2.    Drive for your tyres

As you drive more miles and as your tyres age, they will suffer. If you drive fast and brake hard, take corners too fast, or drive on rough terrain, your tyres will suffer more. We rely on tyres to keep our vehicles on the road, help us brake, and improve our comfort while driving. It’s easy to become complacent with tyres, and believe that they will do their job no matter how we drive on them.

The reality is different. How and where you drive impacts your tyres. If you drive fast on poor roads and brake hard into corners, your tyres will take a lot of punishment. Should this happen, your tyres are more likely to be compromised. They will weaken, suffer small tears and grazes, and become more susceptible to puncture the next time you are out driving.

To avoid this, always consider the strain you are putting your tyres under. Plan your route to avoid poor roads, and drive a little slower to avoid the need to stamp on your brake pedal.

3.    Inspect your tyres regularly

A quick, five-minute check before you start a journey can save a whole heap of trouble while you’re on the road. You should check:

• Tyre pressure
• The condition of the tyre wall
• Tyre tread
• The condition of the spare

If you find a nail, stone, or piece of glass embedded in the tread, remove it before it has the chance to do permanent damage.

For more info, take two minutes to read our article, ‘Brisbane tyre – four safety checks you must do’.

4.    Rotate your tyres

Your tyres will not wear evenly, no matter how well balanced and aligned they are. The stresses and strains placed on the front offside tyre are different to those suffered by the nearside rear tyre. Weaker tyres are more likely to suffer a puncture. By rotating your tyres regularly, the wear and tear will happen more evenly, and the tyre treads will last longer. This will reduce the possibility of getting a puncture and reduce tyre costs.

5.    Change your tyres before you must change them

When you inspect your tyres, take notice of those that are starting to wear. Tyres with cracks or with tread that has worn down to the wear indicator, or with bald patches, and those that have had a temporary repair, are more likely to suffer a blowout. Avoid this by changing tyres sensibly – before they must be changed by law.

Remember, too (and especially here in Brisbane) that the sun weakens your tyres. It is recommended that you change your tyres every five to six years – irrespective of damage or wear and tear – for this reason. If you’re not sure how old your tyres are, read our article ‘How do you know how old your tyres are and if they need changing?’.

6.    Buy premium tyres when possible

As with most things in this world, when you buy tyres you get what you pay for. Premium tyres from the top tyre manufacturers are better built, more stable, and more able to withstand higher mileage. Always buy the best, most trustworthy tyre your budget allows.

In summary

Whatever actions you take, there is no guarantee that you will avoid a flat tyre. However, the six tips above should help your tyres last longer and resist puncture. Be more proactive with your tyre maintenance. Drive with your tyres in mind, buy the best tyres you can, check them before each journey, and rotate them regularly.

Before buying tyres in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres. We’ll make sure that the tyres you buy are suitable for your vehicle and your budget.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

How do you know how old your tyres are and if they need changing?

Is it time for new tyres?

I’ve had a question sent into us, asking “How do you know how old your tyres are?”

The questioner isn’t sure about the age of his tyres and is concerned in case they should be changed. There’s no real wear and tear on them – no bubbling, chipping, or other sidewall damages – nor are there any other signs that the tyres need changing, as we explain in our article “How do Australia’s drivers know they need new tyres?” However, the questioner knows that manufacturers recommend changing tyres every five years, regardless of wear – but he bought the car second-hand a couple of years ago, and isn’t sure how old the tyres are.

In this article, you’ll learn how to tell the age of your tyres. This one piece of knowledge could help save your life, and it could help you drive a better bargain when buying a second-hand vehicle – if the tyres need changing because of their age, you could negotiate a fair few dollars’ discounts.

Why should you buy new tyres every five years?

The older a tyre is, the less safe it is. This is irrespective of use or wear and tear. This rule also applies to your spare tyre. As tyres age, they become age-damaged – even in storage! Often, the damage caused by ageing will show as small cracks in the rubber, which is oxidised by the UV rays in the sun.

Tyres contain anti-ageing waxes which slow down the effect of ageing, but these are only released when the tyre is in motion. Thus, tyres stored poorly – and your spare – may age faster than the tyres on your wheels.

Ageing tyres are more likely to puncture or suffer a blow-out at speed. Older vehicles that have a low mileage are more likely to have prematurely aged tyres. If you are not sure about the condition of your tyres, please do get them checked by a professional. Just because they have plenty of tread left, they may not be safe for driving.

Manufacturers mostly recommend that you renew your tyres every five or six years if you haven’t done so sooner. This isn’t an exact science. Your tyre specialist will be able to tell you if they are good for another few months or more.

How do you tell the age of a tyre?

If you buy a used vehicle, the chances are that it won’t come with a set of new tyres. It’s also unlikely that the seller will know or remember when the existing tyres were purchased – and even then, it is the year of manufacture that’s important.

Fortunately, all tyres are marked with the month and year of manufacture. If you look around the sidewall, you’ll come across a four-digit number in an oval border. This tells you the week and year of manufacture. For example, if the number is 1116:

• The first two digits are the week (e.g. 11 means the 11^th week)
• The second two digits are the year (e.g. 16 mean 2016)
• Therefore, this tyre was manufactured in the 11^th week of 2016

Some tyres only have a three-digit number. These were made before 2000. They should be changed immediately.

If you are buying a used vehicle, always check the date of manufacture of the tyres. The older they are, the more likely they are to need replacing, and this is a bargaining chip in price negotiation.

Help your tyres last longer

Though they are a valuable investment in your safety and driving experience, whatever your vehicle, tyres are not a cheap purchase. The longer you can help them last, the more value you will get from every dollar you spend on new tyres. These five quick tips will help your tyres last longer:

1. Keep them out of direct sunlight.
2. If they are on stationary vehicles, move the vehicle backwards and forward every week to help prevent flat spots.
3. Avoid parking on or driving through grease, oil, petrol or diesel. Always clean them if this happens.
4. Don’t brake hard, especially into and through corners.
5. Keep them inflated to the correct pressure, and avoid ‘kerbing’.

In summary

Aged tyres are more at risk of failure, and it is recommended that you change them every five to six years. You’ll find the year of manufacture of your tyre embossed as a four-digit number on the tyre’s sidewall. If your tyre is approaching five years old, take it to your nearest tyre specialist to have it checked. A five-minute check could save your life.

If you live in Brisbane, don’t hesitate to call into Darra Tyres. We’re here to answer your questions and keep you safe.

Keeping your family and fleet safe,

Kevin Wood

Read this warning before you go large on new tyres

New tyre tips to stay legal when you modify your vehicle

In my last article, “Should you check your speedo when you fit new tyres?”, I explained how fitting the wrong-sized new tyres on your vehicle could lead you to break the speed limit even though your speedometer tells you otherwise. This isn’t the only problem you may have if you want to supersize your tyres.

Why you might want larger tyres

If you want extra power, there are many things you can do to your vehicle. You might decide to refit the engine and have it tuned especially for the job your vehicle needs to do. You might fit a supercharger, upgrade the suspension, or replace the turbo.

None of these upgrades will help your vehicles grip on the road. All the power in the world will add up to nothing if you can’t get traction. So, naturally, you’ll look to new tyres. Bigger is better, right? Especially when it comes to grip on the road. A tyre with a wider diameter will give you that grip. It could also void your insurance.

Stay legal with larger tyres

Whatever new tyres you have fitted, they must comply with the law. If you are modifying your vehicle in any way, you must do so in line with the National Code of Practice for Light Vehicle Construction and Modification (NCOP) Vehicle Standards. Regarding new tyres, this code is clear that:

• New tyres fitted to 4WD passenger vehicles must not be more than 50mm wider in diameter than the tyre size designated by the vehicle’s manufacturer
• New tyres fitted to off-road passenger vehicles must not be more than 50% wider than the vehicle manufacturer’s recommended widest tyre

You’ll find the manufacturer’s recommendations on the tyre placard on the door jamb, or in the owner’s manual.

Whatever modification you make, you must also ensure that no part of the wheel or tyre touches:

• Any part of the body of the vehicle
• The chassis
• The steering mechanisms
• The braking system
• The suspension

Also, when aligned straight, the wheels must be housed within the bodywork – they cannot stick out from the side of your vehicle.

Modify your vehicle legally

If you are modifying your vehicle, and there are many reasons why you might wish to do so, the chances are that you’ll need to consider what to do with your wheels and which new tyres to fit.

A larger-diameter tyre will improve clearance if you do a lot of off-road driving. Increasing the diameter of your tyre will give you the added traction you need to benefit from increased power and retain safe braking distances.

However, by modifying your wheels incorrectly you run the risk of the modification being illegal. If you get into an accident and this is the case, your insurance will be void. You could find yourself with a huge cost to pay.

Modifying your vehicle and fitting new tyres without the technical know-how and legal knowledge is not a smart thing to do. Instead, bring your vehicle into our tyre shop in Darra. We’ll help you decide on the best modification and the best tyres to get the most from your vehicle while staying legal and ensuring your insurance covers what you believe it does.

For a professional and personal tyre service that you can trust, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safe,

Kevin Wood

Should you check your speedo when you fit new tyres?

The wrong-sized tyres could land you with a speeding fine

The Head of Engineering at the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) has recently warned motorists that if they have new tyres fitted, they may need to consider having the speedometer checked. If you have new tyres fitted, you could drive faster than the speed limit without realising it. I know this sounds strange, but let me explain.

Why you may drive faster on larger tyres

If you have new tyres fitted that are larger than recommended by the car manufacturer, it could mean that your speedometer doesn’t show the real speed at which you are driving. You may think you’re travelling at 60 kph, but you could be moving at nearer 70 kph or faster.

This is because larger tyres move relatively faster than smaller tyres. One revolution of the axle will turn your tyres one revolution. A larger tyre may be, say, 115 cm in circumference, compared to a smaller tyre with a circumference of, say, 100 cm. Though your axle is rotating at the same speed, the larger tyre will move you a greater distance – an extra 15 cm per revolution.

When it is manufactured, a vehicle’s speedometer is calibrated to record the speed based upon the manufacturer’s recommended tyre size. In our example, it records one revolution of the axle as 100 cm. If you are driving with larger tyres, your vehicle records the same speed even though you are moving a greater distance.

So, in our example, you may think you are travelling at 60 kph, but because your tyres are 15% larger, you will be travelling at 69 kph.

How to avoid breaking the speed limit because of new tyres

Australian law says that the speedometer should be calibrated on the safe side. This should be around 10% to 15% faster than your actual speed. In other words, the speed that your speedometer tells you that you are travelling at will be faster than your actual speed. You believe you are travelling at, say, 110 kph and your actual speed is likely to be 100 kph.

So, how do you make sure that your speed is not faster than it should be?

When you have new tyres fitted, the technician should refer to the tyre placard found on your door jamb. This tells us what size tyres match the vehicle. Providing the tyres fitted are the right size as per the manufacturer’s recommendations, then you should not get a misreading on your speedometer. With the right tyre size fitted, if your speedometer tells you are driving within the speed limit, then you should be fine.

Don’t rely on your Sat Nav to tell you the correct speed

I love the Sat Nav, but I would never rely on it to tell me how fast I’m travelling. It may give a good indication, but it is not calibrated to your vehicle or its tyres.

How do you know you need your speedo recalibrated?

Providing you always fit the correct size tyres, your speedometer should retain its accuracy. But, like all mechanical equipment, they do go wrong sometimes. There are two tell-tale signs that you may either be driving on the wrong-sized tyres or that you need your speedo checked for accuracy:

• Your speedometer and Sat Nav show wildly different speeds of 20% or more discrepancy
• Other vehicles are travelling either faster or slower, despite your speedo showing you are driving at the speed limit

If you notice either of these two things happening, take your vehicle to your nearest tyre fitter immediately. They will be able to check that your tyres are the correct size for your vehicle, and advise on whether speedometer calibration is needed.

Finally, always make sure that you use a reputable tyre service and that the technician changing your tyres checks the tyre details on the tyre placard.

For a tyre service, you can trust in Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safe,

Kevin Wood

Are these the best new tyres available in Brisbane today?

High-performance tyres for all driving needs

In the last few weeks, two new-generation tyres have been introduced into the Australian market. Both offer the advances in tyre technology that should help you drive more safely, on tyres that last longer and give better fuel consumption. Here we introduce you to Bridgestone’s Potenza S007A and the Primacy 4 from Michelin – tyres we think that Brisbane’s motorists are going to love.

Is this the ultimate high-performance tyre for high-performance cars?

It took three years for Bridgestone to develop. It includes rounded tread blocks, wide ribs, and an evolutionary construction to increase durability. The Potenza S007A is a special tyre.

3D ‘M’-shaped sipes give the tread blocks extra reinforcement, and with three extra-wide ribs, you’ll find that you benefit from better contact with the road, which, in turn, ensures that tread wear is uniform – thus aiding tyre life as well as handling.

The round tread blocks help to expel water more quickly on wet roads, providing extra grip. With a stiffened central rib, your driving should benefit from better stability and more control through corners. On some sizes, the S007A’s sidewalls are stiffened further with a Kevlar flipper, helping to provide extra grip when it is needed most: at higher speeds.

We predict that the S007A from Bridgestone is likely to become a favourite of drivers of high-performance cars.

A safer tyre, even when worn

Released on 1^st August and available in sizes from 15-inch to 19-inch diameter, Michelin’s new Primacy 4 tyre is sold under the tyre manufacturer’s concept of ‘Safe when new, safe when worn’. It’s the latest in the Primacy range, and tests have shown that the tyre performs exceptionally well even when worn. You’ll find a quieter and more comfortable driving experience, with better braking distances and more certain handling.

The improved handling is thanks to Michelin’s EverGrip™ technology. Combined with a new rubber compound, energy is released faster, and water is evacuated quicker, improving grip on wet roads throughout the tyre’s lifecycle.

You’ll find that road noise is reduced, too, thanks to the Silent Rib technology that also helps provide better shock absorption on bumpy roads.

Tested by TUV Rheinland Thailand Limited, a leading independent company specialising in testing, inspection and certification services, the Primacy 4 tyre outperforms other premium tyres on wet roads, braking in a distance of 5.1 metres less when the tread is worn down to 2mm.

Grip, safety, handling, noise, fuel consumption and tyre life are important factors when you are buying new tyres. These new tyres from Michelin and Bridgestone deliver on all fronts.

Whatever your vehicle, whatever your driving style, and wherever you drive, in Brisbane you’ll find Darra Tyres has the perfect match for you and your budget.

For a professional and personal mobile tyre service that you can trust, contact Darra Tyres today.

Keeping your family and fleet safe,

Kevin Wood