Category Archives for "Tyre Maintenance"

0 Forklift Tyres – When is it time to replace your forklift tyres?

Forklift Tyres – The signs that it’s time to change your tyres

Your business relies on forklifts and the forklift tyres. Without them, merchandise doesn’t get shifted from factory to warehouse. It doesn’t get loaded onto your trucks, your customers don’t receive their shipments and you might not get paid. The less downtime your forklifts suffer, the more efficient your operation is. The more money you make.

When monitoring these beasts of burden, it’s easy to concentrate on the engine and hydraulics and forget the forklift tyres. They are perhaps the hardest working of all forklift components. Toyota trucks estimated that the average forklift tyre carries over 9,500 lbs. There are no suspension systems to help spread that weight. Every single ounce of your load relies on a single ring of black rubber.

A while ago I wrote about how to choose and maintain forklift tyres to cut costs. Here, I’ll discuss why it’s so important to know when to replace your forklift tyres. I’ll also describe the warning signs that your forklift tyres are wearing.

The job that forklift tyres do

Forklift tyres carry heavy loads. Even the steer tyres carry more than 1,000 lbs. Tyres that are in good condition:

• Help to soften the driver’s ride
• Contributes to keep the forklift stable
• Reduce driver fatigue
• Decrease fuel consumption
• Reduce forklift maintenance costs

If your forklift tyres are in bad condition, your workplace efficiency could suffer. Increased driver fatigue could lead to safety issues. And then, of course, there are the cost issues: increased fuel bills, and the effect of downtime.

How do you know your forklift tyres need replacing?

There are three main types of forklift tyre. The signs that they are wearing are different for each. Cushion (or press-on) tyres are pretty much shot when a third of their rubber is worn. Pneumatic tyres need to be examined for tread wear. Resilient (or solid pneumatic) tyres can be worn down to the wear mark on the sidewall.

Forklift cushion tyre danger signs

Cushion tyres wear slowly but can be damaged easily. Watch for the following danger signs that all indicate a tyre change is needed:

• The top of the tyre has worn down to the wear line.
• If bits of rubber have fallen off, or there are chunks taken out of the tyre, it needs replacing.
• Flat spots, where one part of the tyre is balder. It is usually caused by tyre spinning, sharp braking, or misalignment of wheels.
• Tearing by sharp objects. It causes imbalance and can tip the forklift.

Forklift pneumatic tyre danger signs

Pneumatic tyres are most commonly used outdoors. Watch for these danger signs:

• Under or over inflation will affect the stability of the forklift and increase wear. It also affects traction, reducing braking power.
• Cuts in the tyre can cause sudden loss of air. It could cause the forklift to tip. If the cord is visible, or you notice frayed cord piles, your tyre needs replacing.
• Bald patches should be checked for at all points on the inside and outer edges of the tyre, as well as its contact surface.
• There’s a two-inch rule that says after two inches of tyre height is gone, almost 20% more stress is put on the vehicle. However, it’s probably better to rely on tread depth.

Forklift resilient tyre danger signs

If there is no damage to resilient tyres they can be used until wear takes the rubber down to the wear lines on the sidewall. However, you need to observe all the warning signs for both cushion and pneumatic forklift tyres, because resilient tyres are a cross between the two.

If your forklift tyres wear too much, your forklift performance will suffer. You’ll use more fuel, and safety could be compromised. The extra pressure on other moving parts (including the engine) could cause unnecessary and expensive damage. Your tyre maintenance programme should be a core part of your safety check routine as well as your vehicle maintenance regime.

The forklift tyre tips above will help your productivity and safety, and you can always contact us (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) to get expert advice at our West Brisbane forklift tyre shop. Hey, we’ll even come and replace them for you.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Truck tyres – How to buy the best retreads

Truck tyres – Can retreads be as good as new truck tyres?

When it comes to truck parts, its tyres are probably the most important. They’re the sole connection between you and the ground, and they play a massive part in braking and handling. Only with the right truck tyres will you be able to haul your load safe and secure.

In this article, I’ll explain the benefits of using retread truck tyres, how they are produced, and give you a few tips to make sure that when you buy retreads for your truck, they won’t blow out half a kilometre down the road.

What is a retread truck tyre?

Simply put, a retread is a tyre casing that is reused. The old, worn tread is removed and replaced with new.

How is a retread truck tyre made?

Retreads are manufactured by either hot retreading or cold retreading.

On a suitable casing, a new tread is added. The casing itself must be stable and undamaged. Finding a suitable candidate for retreading can be hard because most truck tyres have done hundreds of thousands of kilometres before the haulier is ready to discard it because of worn tread.

Once a suitable casing has been found, any remaining tread is skimmed off. The result is a smooth casing ready for retreading.

When a hot retread method is used, hot rubber is gradually added to the casing in thin strips around the tyre. Once the depth is correct, the whole tyre is put in the press. It heats the tyre to 300 degrees Fahrenheit plus. The press also imprints the new truck tyre rubber with the tread pattern.

In the cold retread method, instead of strips of rubber, a whole ring of rubber is added to the base tyre. We then use a machine called an autoclave to add steam and apply pressure until the new rubber has bonded to the old.

Whichever method is used to retread a tyre, the truck tyre is tested for resistance and resilience to the loads that it will be subjected to when in service on the road carrying your products.

What is the advantage of retreads over new tyres?

The most obvious advantage over new tyres is the cost. A retread uses around a third of the rubber needed to produce a new tyre. The typical truck tyre requires 21 gallons of oil in production – a retread uses only around 7 gallons. The typical cost of a retread truck tyre is around 50% of its new equivalent (though it does vary).

However, there are other benefits that are less obvious. For example, retread tyres are the green option. As we’ve seen, retreads need less oil to produce. As well as this, each retread tyre is a tyre that has been salvaged and recycled. In the United States, three out of every four truck tyres are recycled, and most of these are retreaded.

Every truck tyre retreaded is a truck tyre that isn’t discarded in a tyre dump. That’s safer for all and better for the environment.

The big question: are retread truck tyres safe?

The one-word answer is ‘yes’. A good retread can be as good as a new tyre. If you want proof of just how reliable it can be, look at the airline industry. I doubt that you’d find heavier loads and tougher conditions in which tyres operate. An aeroplane tyre could be retreaded dozens of times before being discarded.

Not convinced? Look at your insurance forms. Nowhere will you see that you need to declare that you use retreads. That’s a big pointer to the safety of retreads right there. If retreads were less safe than new tyres, insurance companies would be all over it like a tramp on a sandwich – any excuse to squeeze a few more dollars from drivers.

How do you buy quality retreads?

To make sure you get the best out of your retreads you should ensure that they are as good as new tyres. You wouldn’t use a sub-par, shoddy new tyre, so don’t accept retreads that are below the standard you’d expect from a new tyre.

Here are a few tips when buying retreads for your trucks:

1.     Don’t buy on price alone

You’ll save money with retreads, but you get what you pay for. As with all tyres, the real cost benefit is in how long they last, and the kilometres they cover before they need to be replaced. Always buy the highest quality retread from the highest quality retreader in Brisbane.

2.     Make sure you see samples and testimonials before buying

Ask to review the retreader’s work, reviewing testimonials from satisfied customers and examples of retreaded tyres.

3.     Take a look at the testing equipment

Ask to see testing equipment, and ask to see it in action. If the retreader doesn’t have any, then you better move on to the next retreader as fast as possible.

4.     Don’t go alone

Take someone with you to inspect the tyre shops and retreading facility. Two sets of eyes are better than one, and especially if the second set is someone from your tyre department.

Follow these four simple steps, and there should be no reason why your truck retreads are every bit as good as the new tyres you used to spend twice as much buying.

Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book an appointment to check out the quality of our retreads.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyres in Brisbane – Is it safe to drive with mismatched tyres?

Tyres in Brisbane – Make sure your tyre change is made for safe driving

When your vehicle’s tyres in Brisbane are replaced, it pays to go to a tyre specialist. That’s what the following story shows – a nightmare that I wouldn’t have thought could be true. Unfortunately, it is, and it makes me wonder how many other cars are in a similar dangerous state.

Even car dealerships make mistakes with tyres in Brisbane

I was discussing tyres at a barbie a couple of weekends ago when a friend said that she was experiencing poor control. She had twice felt her back-end slip on the camber of a bend that morning before arriving at our place.

As soon as I examined her car, I knew the reason her driving was suffering. She’d had three new tyres recently. That’s three. Not two or four, but three. It turns out that she’d taken her car for a service, and the dealer had replaced the tyres that they said needed replacing. And it turns out that not all car dealerships know that you should never switch out an uneven number of tyres.

Not only had the dealership changed only three tyres, they’d also changed them for a different size! The three new tyres were P195/65/R15, and the one that they left was P195/60/R15. (For an explanation about tyre sizes, see our tyre blog “How to choose the best tyres for Queensland roads and save money”.)

Is it dangerous to drive on mismatched tyres?

As my friend had experienced, mismatched tyres can produce poor vehicle handling. If all your tyres are the same make, model and size, you’ll be able to maintain them for longer with a good tyre rotation policy. Uneven tyres equal uneven steering and uneven braking. By rotating regularly, wear should be evener.

What’s the best strategy for changing tyres?

Ideally, you should replace all four tyres at the same time. It’s also best to replace like with like – the same manufacturer and the same amount of wear. It creates an even balance to your vehicle and improves handling, especially when you most need it – on wet roads, around corners, and in heavy traffic.

For most people, changing all four tyres simultaneously is an expensive proposition. Especially if only one tyre ‘needs’ replacing – for example if you’ve had a blowout. It’s unreasonable to expect you to go to the expense of changing all four tyres for the sake of a single flat.

What if you can’t afford to replace all four tyres?

If you can’t afford to replace all four tyres at the same time, then you should replace in pairs – and on the same axle. Replace with the same style, size and make as your remaining tyres. If this is impossible, speak to us and we’ll suggest a suitable alternative as close to the dimensions and tread design as possible. Most importantly, we’ll match performance, speed and load ratings, and traction characteristics.

And if your remaining tyres have a little wear and tear?

If the remaining tyres haven’t had much wear on them, then you may get away with replacing only the flat. If you do this, then select a tyre that’s the same make, size and type as the tyre on the opposite end of the same axle.

Another solution may be to buy retread tyres – a suggestion that some tyre buyers might consider being preposterous (having been taught by their fathers and grandfathers that retreads are dangerous), but a solution that could save hundreds of dollars on a set of four new tyres.

Always change your tyres with a strategy of safety first. Contact us today on 07 3333 5510 and book an appointment to have your tyres checked in Brisbane.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyres in West Brisbane – Here’s how to save your tyres in wet conditions

Tyres in West Brisbane – Safety tips to avoid punctures in the rain

If there’s one thing we can be sure of in Queensland, it’s that tyres in West Brisbane will be put through their paces. They have to contend with long periods of tropical heat, and downpours that make the Niagara Falls look like a dripping tap. These extremes of weather make driving more difficult, and wet roads increase the risk of punctures.

In this blog, you’ll discover why there are more punctures when it’s raining, and I’ll give you my tips for driving safely in wet road conditions.

Wet rubber cuts up more easily

It’s a fact that wet rubber punctures more easily. The big tyre manufacturers have spent millions trying to develop tyres that are puncture proof.

I’ve seen some theories put forward as reasons for poorer tyre performance on wet roads. All of them have merit. For example:

• Rain washes more debris onto roads. Flint, nails and thorns that get blown away in dry conditions stick to wet roads.
• Tyres get sticky on wet roads, and sharp debris sticks more easily, before being forced into the tyre during a couple of revolutions.
• Acid rain degrades rubber.

Whatever the reason, if you watch this video about the effect of water on agricultural tyres you’ll see just how easily rubber can be cut into when it gets wet. The first time I saw this tyre video, I was shocked at the effect so little water can have on tyres in West Brisbane– especially when you consider how often we all drive in wet conditions.

You’ll notice in the video that the rubber being cut into so easily is almost slick. All the tread has gone. Tread depth and patterns don’t only help a tyre disperse water and keep a grip on the road – depth and tread help to avoid punctures.

You’ll find that every millimetre of tread that is worn away increases the chance of having a blowout. It’s been estimated that when your tyre is down to its last 10% of tread depth, the risk of a puncture more than doubles.

Tell me, do you want to be stuck by the side of a road changing a tyre, struggling with the jack and wheel nuts, and discovering your spare tyre is in worse shape than the punctured tyre, in the pouring rain?

Don’t let your tyres in West Brisbane get washed up in the wet

There’s no way to be 100% certain your tyre won’t get punctured, but you can cut down on the risk.  Here are some puncture prevention tips:

·      Don’t spare the spare

The first thing to do is to understand that your spare tyre is like an insurance policy. You hope you never have to use it, but if it is needed it will be the best you can afford. A lot of cars today have spare tyres designed to get you home, and even then they suggest no more than around 50 kilometres.

When I insure my car, I could go for insurance that does the bare minimum. Instead, I make sure that my No Claims is protected, that I’ve got a great cover for passengers, and that I’ve got legal cover, too. The extra few dollars is worth the peace of mind.

When I inspect the spare, I make sure that it’s a real tyre. That way I know that if the worst should happen, I’ve got a tyre that will get me home from wherever I am. Those few extra dollars I’ve spent are worth the peace of mind every time I step into my vehicle.

·      Check your tyres every week

At least weekly, I check my tyres. I look at them, run my fingers across them, and inspect the tread for stones or other debris. (Actually, that last bit – I do that as a force of habit before every journey.) Doing this tyre test makes sure that I watch the tread on my tyres constantly, and I spot any nicks or bulges straight away. If my tyres need changing, I’m the first to know about it.

I also include the spare tyre in my weekly tyre checking routine, making sure that it is inflated correctly, just like the others.

·      Keep your tyres inflated correctly

You’ll find the correct tyre pressure on a placard on the door jamb or the side of the glovebox. It will also be detailed in the owner’s manual. Never inflate to the numbers on the sidewall of the tyre – they are maximums for the tyre, and not necessarily the correct pressure for that tyre on your vehicle. Also, if you’re driving long distances or with heavy loads, you’ll need to inflate your tyres in West Brisbane appropriately.

·      Check the tyre tread depth

Worn tyres in Brisbane use more fuel, make braking more difficult, and decrease the handling capability of your vehicle.

Here in Queensland, the law says you must maintain at least 1.5mm of tread. If you see any signs of uneven wear, bald patches, or notice coloured bars coming through, bring your vehicle into our tyre shop in Darra − you could have a serious problem, or it may be that your wheels need rebalancing or realigning.

How to drive with wet tyres in West Brisbane

Four wet road techniques are essential to keeping you and your passengers safe when driving in the rain:

1.     Watch your speed

Rain makes roads slippery. It mixes with oil and creates skidpan conditions. On wet roads and when it’s raining, slow down. Not only will you have more time to see what is going on ahead of you, but also the science says that slower driving on wet roads makes for better tyre grip, as more of the tyre’s rubber is in contact with the road for longer.

2.     Keep your distance

Drivers that tailgate are a big bugbear of mine. Drivers that tailgate in the wet are ten times more dangerous. Even when you’re driving at a safer speed, there’s still a chance of skidding on wet roads. If you keep a healthy distance between you and the vehicle ahead, you’ll have more time to brake. You won’t have to slam the anchors on. Steady braking helps to avoid skids. Always drive with a distance of at least two car lengths between you and the car in front.

3.     How to recover from a skid

Skids can be pretty scary. If you do start skidding, don’t hit the brakes even harder. Ease back, keep a steady pressure on the brake pedal, and steer in the direction of the skid.

4.     Deal with aquaplaning

On slick, wet roads, aquaplaning is always a possibility. It’s caused by driving too fast through the water. Your speed doesn’t allow the tyre tread to do its job properly, and a film of water is created between the tyre and the tarmac. You lose traction, and instead of gripping the road you glide along it.

Don’t hit the brake! If you do, you will simply stop the wheel rotating, and it will take longer for water to disperse. The aquaplane will last longer.

Instead, take your foot off the accelerator, hold the steering wheel steady, change down a gear and apply the brakes gently. By doing this, the ‘engine brake’ (the way the car naturally slows when you take your foot off the accelerator) will help you to slow down. Once you’ve slowed enough, you’ll feel grip return, and you can continue on your way more safely (and slowly).

If you experience excessive skidding or aquaplaning, it’s likely that your tyres need changing or rotating.  Contact us today (by Skype, telephone, or on our contact form) and book an appointment to have your tyres checked in West Brisbane.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

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

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

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

In this article you’ll learn:

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

Why do blowouts happen on car tyres?

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

Will a tyre blow out straight away?

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

Tyres are built to be resilient

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

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

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

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

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

How do you know you’ve got a blowout?

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

How to bring the car to a safe standstill

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

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

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

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

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

How to change a tyre after a blowout

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 The Dangers of Driving on Part Worn Poor Quality Tyres

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

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

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

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

Women are more at risk than men

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

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

Perhaps most disturbingly, female drivers are:

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

What job do tyres do?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don’t stop at checking tread

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

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

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

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

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

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

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

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

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

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

What it the best tyre pressure for your car?

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

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

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

The easy way to check tyre pressure

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

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

Factors that make a difference to tyre pressure

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

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

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

A word or warning about pressure gauges at petrol stations

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

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

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

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

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

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

What is tyre pressure?

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

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

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

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

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

What happens if you overinflate your tyres?

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

What happens if you underinflate your tyres?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Why most people get their tyre pressure wrong

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

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

Stay safe and cut your driving costs

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

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

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

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

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 A visit to the tyre dealers will be less than you think,

Good tyre dealers, followed up with good maintenance means you can reap the rewards,

It might seem that $400 to over $1000 for a set is expensive, but the cost of new tyres for your car represents incredible value for money. No other part of your car goes through the same second-by-second friction, and when you think that your safety rests on just a few inches of rubber between you and the road, you’d begin to understand how important the maintenance of new tyres is. Here are five reasons why the cost of a trip to the tyre dealers is less than you think:

Safety is worth every cent of the cost of new tyres

A set of new tyres will last anything up to 100,000 kilometres, depending upon your style of driving and the condition of roads you drive on and the maintenance you stick to. Keep on top of the maintenance of new tyres, and that’s a hundred thousand kilometres of better breaking, more efficient turning, and more effective traction. Ultimately costing you less.

Better traction is a component of safety

Now that we’ve mentioned traction, let’s discuss it a little more.

Traction is what gives you your grip on the road. Soft tyres aren’t so good in the summer heat, but they’re great in snow. So if you’re planning a trip to Alpine Way in New South Wales, or perhaps Mount Baw Baw in Victoria, you might want to equip yourself with soft tyres. Usually, though, one set of new tyres will be good for all seasons here in Queensland.

New tyres cut your fuel costs

Worn tyres have to work harder to provide traction. When new tyres are fitted, part of the initial maintenance of new tyres is to ensure that they are aligned and balanced correctly. As part of a weekly tyre maintenance programme, make sure you keep them inflated properly. Doing this one thing will make sure that your tyres perform better, and that will decrease your fuel consumption.

Good maintenance of new tyres drives better performance

When new tyres are fitted and then maintained well, your car’s performance increases. Your stopping distance will be shorter, and you’ll drive smoother through corners. The extra traction you get means better acceleration if you get into trouble.

You’ll love driving on new tyres

If you’ve ever had a brand new car, there’s something special about the feel and smell of it. Have it professionally valeted after a few thousand kilometres, and that brand new feel comes right back. It’s the same with new tyres. When you first drive on a new set of tyres, the whole driving experience is different – it’s like driving a new car. You’ll have a quieter drive, too, with less road noise.

If you’re planning a long trip, you’ll probably have a service to make sure everything is in tip-top condition before you set off. Don’t neglect your tyres: the extra safety, better performance, and lower fuel costs make the cost of new tyres worth every single cent for the next 100,000 kilometres (especially if you rotate your tyres to make them last even longer).

Call us today on 3375 3566, and we’ll be happy to discuss your car tyres with you.

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Tyre Centre Tips – What you need to know about wheel alignment and wheel balancing

Tyre Centre Tips – Reducing the technical to language, we can all understand

When your wheels are badly aligned, you’ll notice poor road handling and your fuel consumption will suffer, too. If you notice any of the tell-tale signs that it’s time to get your wheels aligned, then it’s best to visit the tyre centre sooner rather than later for a host of reasons.

When you take your car to the tyre centre, you should have your wheels aligned. It’s at this time that you might get bamboozled by some of the languages the tyre techs use. So here’s some explanation of what might be wrong and why you need your wheel alignment and wheel balancing regularly.

What is camber, toe, and caster when you get your wheels aligned?

In simple terms there are three elements of a Wheel Alignment. These three elements are camber, toes, and casters.

Here’s what we mean:

1. Camber

If you look at your tyres from the front or back, they should sit at 90 degrees to the road. That way, the wear will be completely even, and your tyres will have maximum contact with the road. When they face inward (with the outer edge of the tyre not touching the road), they are said to be a negative camber. When they face outward (with the inner edge of the tyre not touching the road), they are said to be a positive camber.

2. Toe

The toe is the way in which your tyres face inward or outward if they are viewed from above. If they point in at the front, we’ll tell you that they are ‘toe-in’. If they point out at the front, we’ll say ‘toe-out’.

3. Caster

This is, perhaps, the most technical aspect of having your wheels aligned. A pivot is turned when you turn the steering wheel. If it’s not set correctly, the steering will be either too light or too heavy.

There might also be some suspension damage. When the pivot’s top is pointing towards the front of the car, it is called a negative caster. When it is pointing to the rear, it is called a positive caster.

Getting your wheels aligned correctly will make sure that you get the best out of the driving experience. But when you do have new tyres fitted or have your wheels aligned, you should also benefit from wheel balancing.

What is wheel balancing?

When tyres are manufactured, the weight of rubber is never distributed exactly evenly around the tyre. If your tyre is not balanced correctly when it is fitted, it could cause a number of problems – from vibration to poor steering, to uneven tyre wear.

This uneven weight will be undetectable by hand. The first thing we do when balancing wheels is to place the tyres on the correct rims and inflate them to the right pressure. We’ll then place the wheel on a balancing machine, rotate the tyre at high speed and measure the imbalance. The machine tells us how much weight needs to be added to the wheel, and where to get to perfect balance.

When should you have your wheels aligned and wheels balanced?

If you notice any vibration, pulling, or uneven tyre wear, we’d suggest it’s time to get your alignment and balancing checked at the tyre centre. Other than that, to make sure you’re always on the right side of safe driving and optimal fuel consumption, check that you have your wheels aligned, and balanced every 10,000 to 15,000 kilometres.

If you’d like to know more about tyre maintenance, or get a free qu0te on wheel alignment and wheel balancing, give us a call on 3333 5510.

Cheers,

Pal Prashant