Category Archives for "Tyres"

0 What can you do with your old tyres in Brisbane?

Innovative ways to recycle tyres in Brisbane and save the environment

When a tyre is no longer roadworthy, disposing of it can be a problem. There are very few eco-friendly ways of getting rid of old tyres, and yet there are several ways in which old tyres can be used in an eco-friendly way. Only 16% of the 48 million tyres discarded in Australia every year are recycled. The rest is used in a landfill or stored in dangerous and often illegal tyre dumps (like the tyre dump discovered in North Queensland). Eventually, they pollute our soil, rivers, and water supply, or catch fire and pollute the air we breathe.

In this article, you’ll learn how we can all be greener when it comes to old tyres in Brisbane.

Tyres are a valuable resource – we shouldn’t waste them

Though it isn’t fit for use as a tyre any longer, an old tyre is still a valuable resource. Each discarded tyre contains around:

• 5kg of steel
• 5kg of textiles
• 7kg of rubber

It means that here in Australia alone, every year we are throwing away around:

• 60 million kg of steel
• 20 million kg of textiles
• 280 million kg of rubber

Stockpiles of old tyres are a health hazard, creating breeding grounds for rats and mosquitoes. Landfill sites get clogged up with old tyres – imagine as many as 40 million tyres buried underground every year here in Australia.

It is a colossal waste of what could still be a useful resource.

How can old tyres be recycled?

The 40 million or so old tyres we waste every year could be put to some really good, environmentally-friendly uses. For example, old tyres can be turned into:

Rubber roads. If this sounds outlandish, in the United States they have been using rubber roads since the 1960s. There are now around 20,000 miles of such roads in America. They are quieter to drive on, which is another benefit when you consider that the World Health Organisation reckons that one in every 50 heart attacks in Europe is caused by exposure to loud traffic.

Energy. Old tyres can be used by power stations. Tyres are first shredded and then burned to help create electricity. They can also be burned in cement-making kilns, reducing the amount of carbon fuel needed.

Can you use your old tyres for other things?

Yes, you can! How about creating a centrepiece of tyre planters in your garden? Or perhaps setting them up as a mini assault course for the kids – swings, step-throughs, crawl-throughs, and so on? Here are a few other ingenious uses for old tyres that I’ve heard of:

• Dog bed
• Tyre lamps
• Planters
• Tyre tables
• Tyre speakers or subwoofers
• Half-tyre hammocks (for the kids)
• Garden steps
• Sandboxes
• Umbrella stand

We’ve teamed up with Sarah Textor of Clive Street to discard of old tyres more intelligently. She creates the most amazing fashion accessories from inner tube tyres, and we’re happy and proud to help  Sarah and Brisbane’s environment simultaneously.

What else can you do to reduce wastage from old tyres?

There are a few other things you can do to help reduce tyre waste, and every little helps. For example:

• Buy good quality tyres that last longer.
• Take care of your tyres to prolong their useful life – employ a regular tyre maintenance program.
• Consider buying retreads to support the recycling of tyres.

If we all added just 10% to tyre life, we’d annually cut more than 4 million old tyres from Australia’s old tyre mountain.

For tips on how to recycle your old tyres and the best tyre service in West Brisbane, contact Darra Tyres today. You never know, you might also find that fashionable handbag you’ve been searching for.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevih Wood

0 Outback driving and tyre tips for your springtime Queensland adventure

Your black circles are as crucial as your driving skills on outback tracks

As we head rapidly toward spring, you are likely to be thinking about getting away for a few days. Instead of the beach, how about exploring the outback? Queensland is ideal for 4WD adventures and going bush, with something that suits all tastes and driving experience.

You could take the kids on a dinosaur adventure, cruise the deserts along the Matilda Highway, visit country and coast, or discover Queensland’s ancient inland sea beds.

In this article, we’ll introduce you to a great outback road trip for all drivers, and give you a few tyre tips that will help you negotiate all the terrain you’re likely to come across.

Brisbane to Birdsville – the complete 4WD adventure

One of the most popular outback road trips is the 4WD adventure drive from Brisbane to Birdsville. On this trip, you will cover 1,800 kilometres of the most beautiful and diverse Queensland countryside. You’ll be gently transported from city to outback, and have plenty of opportunities to get your teeth into some real 4WD experiences.

The kids will have fun Koala spotting. Gardening enthusiasts will marvel at the springtime blooms in Warwick. Along the route, there are large sheep, cotton, and cattle stations. There are river walks, art galleries, mud baths, date farms, and the winery at Eulo. Discover more about Australia’s history as you view the Aboriginal rock carvings at Cullyamurra Waterhole and visit the Australian Inland Mission Hostel. Spot rare birds, spend time fishing for yellowbelly, and watch the sunset on Big Red, the 40-metre sand dune on the edge of the Simpson Desert.

It is an amazing road trip, and for 4WD enthusiasts offers plenty of opportunities to go off-road and experience all types of tracks and surfaces.

Stay safe on a road trip by preparing well

Before setting out, make sure you prepare well for your road trip:

• Let people know where you’re going, and how long you intend to be away.
• Pack plenty of food and water. If you get stranded, you could be ‘on your own’ for a few days.
• Phone loved ones to let them know of your progress each day – if you do get stranded, this will give them a better idea of where you are.
• Check your spare tyre, and have all your tyres checked before you leave – it’s a good idea to pack a second spare tyre, too.
• Finally, immediately before you set off and each day during your trip, check the RACQ’s road conditions for your next leg and any planned side trips.

How to use your tyres to negotiate different terrains

You are likely to encounter several terrains on your 4WD adventure. Here are a few tips on driving style, and how your tyres can help you get through all outback conditions:

·      Mud

Bogholes, wheel rutting, and pits of mud that are as deep as your axle. It is some of the muddy terrains you’ll encounter in the outback. Try to keep your 4WD tyres on the higher ground. If you do slip, keep your foot on the accelerator and steer side to side: you’ll get a better grip on the ruts. Drive in a high range and with full throttle.

As you come through one mud patch, stop and check your wheel arches. Clean out any mud that has built up around the mud guards. It will help your tyre tread achieve maximum traction.

·      Water

Water crossings can be dangerous, especially if you go in without preparation. Get stuck in water, and you could be in all sorts of trouble. Here are the steps to ensure your vehicle doesn’t drown:

• Walk the crossing first
• Note where obstacles are
• Check that your air intake is high enough to avoid water intake
• Set off
• Drive in a low gear
• Don’t change gear midway through, and maintain a steady speed

Your tyres play a big part in a successful water crossing. Don’t reduce air pressure. You don’t know what’s under the water, so when you reach the other side, get out of your vehicle and check your tyres and sidewalls for cuts and slashes, and wedged stones and other debris that could damage or puncture your tyres.

·      Bulldust

Bulldust is common on bush roads. I’ve heard of vehicles disappearing into bulldust holes, so always take great care when you come across this surface.

Bulldust is a soft, powdery dust. You’ll notice the road ahead looks very different. Tyre tracks lose definition in the soft folds created by a few inches of bulldust. V-shaped ruts are noticeable. Novice outback drivers could be tempted to treat bulldust like sand and deflate tyres. Don’t do it!

Beneath the bulldust, you’ll find a rock-hard base. It could split the sidewall of a partially deflated tyre. Drive on fully inflated tyres, and keep a constant speed of between 60 km/h and 80 km/h. If the vehicle veers to the side, correct by steering into it and gently increasing pressure on the throttle. Ignore the dust around you – once you’re through, this dust will be behind you.

·      Rocks

There’s skill in tackling rocks, but it can be learned quickly:

• Keep the vehicle’s tyres on high ground
• Drive in first or second gear, low range
• Avoid ‘opening’ the throttle – too much throttle creates tyre slip
• Keep tyres inflated at normal for road driving, except if you get stuck – then partially deflate to give better grip, and re-inflate as soon as you’re out of trouble

·      Desert

If you have driven on the beach before, you are most of the way to know how to drive in the desert. However, most deserts in Australia are a combination of sand ridges and rock. It means you shouldn’t deflate tyres as you might on the beach.

Maintain momentum, don’t fight with the steering wheel, and let your 4WD vehicle ‘find its course’. Take care on crests, and if the vehicle feels as if it’s going to slide down a slope, steer into the slide and accelerate to increase tyre traction.

Check your tyres and vehicle before your spring road trip

Make sure that your vehicle is as well prepared as you when travelling into the outback and taking any road trip. Come into our West Brisbane tyre shop, and we’ll make sure your tyres are in tip top condition – including your spares. Contact Darra Tyres today, and let us help you have the 4WD adventure of a lifetime.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 A great way to dispose old tyres in Brisbane!

Brisbane Tyres turned to chic bags and accessories

Worry no more about your old run down tyres. Inner tube tyres can now be recycled and turned into fashionable accessories for your everyday use!

Sarah Textor owner of Clive Street was so sweet to write us a note saying;

““As the owner of sustainable bag and accessories label that uses textiles such as inner tube tyres, advertising billboard skins and seatbelt webbing. The most important element to creating my range is the local business community that keeps the used textiles for me to collect and use. After searching for a tyre business that could keep the inner tube tyres from their workshop I came across Darra Tyres. From the very beginning, Kevin and Annette have been so supportive of my sustainable business. Keeping the inner tubes and storing them for me until I can get the items from their shop and collect them. Kevin is always interested in my projects and designs and is really committed to supporting me in any way. I am very grateful for Darra Tyres for taking an interest in other small business who believe in sustainability and recycling“

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Four fun facts about tyres Brisbane drivers probably don’t know

Thinner and lighter tyres are here… but tyres with no air?

I’ve been thinking about how tyres are changing shape. Okay, not shape exactly, but they are developing. They might look very much like they did 50 years ago, but on the surface and inside, tyres are evolving at one heck of a pace. In years to come, you may even buy tyres without air in them.

Here are four big changes that I’ve noticed.

After years of getting fat, tyres are on a diet

For years, I watched tyres get fatter and wider. The bigger footprint gives better grip and handling. It also increases rolling resistance and increases fuel consumption. In recent years, though, this trend has reversed. Manufacturers have put their tyres on a diet. They’re getting thinner. It makes them more aerodynamic and reduces rolling resistance, leading to lower fuel consumption.

But doesn’t this mean poorer handling capability? Well, it would, except that tyre manufacturers have been innovative with the design. They’ve created tread formations that stick to the road. Today’s thin tyres are as good – perhaps even better – on corners than their fatter predecessors. And they provide better traction for shorter braking distances. Tyre innovation has produced a win/win for drivers.

Tyre manufacturers are fighting a shocking trend

Drivers that come into our tyre shop here in West Brisbane have long been complaining about static electricity. Shocks when they close their car doors, for example. These used to be commonplace years ago. To combat them, you might remember an earthing strip hanging from the back of many vehicles. This problem was largely eliminated as manufacturers added carbon black to tyre compounds.

However, in recent years manufacturers have been producing tyres with less carbon black in the rubber. Consequently, static electricity has increased, and people are suffering more shocks from their cars.

Manufacturers have been stuck between a rock and a hard place. Less carbon fibre is better for the environment but leads to regular electric shocks. They’ve come up with an innovative solution. Many modern, thinner tyres are now produced with a strip of conductive material along their centre. It provides an electrical contact between the tyre and the tarmac and reduces electric shocks.

Tyres are getting lighter as well as thinner

Tyre manufacturers are making tyres lighter as well as thinner. Less weight equals lower rolling resistance. Manufacturers have been using a combination of strategies to achieve less weighty tyres. These include using tougher treads to increase longevity and lighter steel in the tyre cords.

In the future, air pressure won’t be a consideration

Airless tyres could be with us sooner than we think. Some commercial trucks and industrial vehicles already use them. Many forklift tyres are non-pneumatic. Manufacturers are developing tyres with a honeycomb interior structure. These increase structural stability and increase the weight that can be carried. They are highly resistant to damage, and even reduce the effects of collisions with kerbs to a vehicle’s suspension.

When you come into our tyre shop in Brisbane, you might not be able to buy airless tyres just yet and the last thing you’ll get is a load of hot air. Contact Darra Tyres today, and you’ll discover that we’re different.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 What are the benefits of regrooving your commercial tyres?

Could regrooving cut your fleet costs?

Commercial tyres are expensive pieces of equipment, and so you’ll want to make them last for as long as possible. You’ll also want to make sure they perform well – increasing safety and driving comfort, and decreasing fuel consumption. There are several ways in which you can make commercial tyres last longer. These include good tyre rotation, proper inflation, and proper loading. You could also buy the best tyres for retreading or buy tyres that can be regrooved.

In this article, we look at regrooving commercial tyres, the fastest and easiest way to make your tyres last longer and reduce fleet costs.

What’s the difference between a retread and a regroove?

When you retread a tyre, you add new rubber onto an existing tyre when the tread has worn down. When a tyre is Regrooved, a tread pattern is re-cut into the existing tyre rubber when the tread depth has worn down to around 3mm to 4mm.

What are the benefits of regrooving?

A tyre that has been regrooved will benefit from improved grip immediately. It will increase vehicle performance, and reduce braking distance. The tyre life will also be extended, possibly by many months. Better performance equals better fuel consumption and lowers fuel costs. Longer life equals lower tyre costs.

The positive effect on fuel consumption can be dramatic. It is estimated that fuel consumption constitutes around 35% of all fleet costs. Michelin has calculated that regrooving will save around 6% to 10% of a fleet’s fuel bill. Some tyre experts estimate that a regrooved tyre is between 20% and 30% more fuel efficient than a new tyre.

How do you get the best out of regrooving?

To maximise the benefits of regrooving commercial tyres, specialist tools are needed to ensure that:

• The tread pattern is followed accurately. It is key to providing the traction expected.
• The tread pattern depth is cut consistently. It maximises the use of rubber on the tyre.

Can all tyres be regrooved?

It’s always best to refer to a tyre dealer to make certain a tyre can be regrooved because not all can be. On tyres that can be regrooved, under the original tread, the tyre rubber is at its most effective and efficient. Mileage is at a maximum while rolling resistance is at a minimum.

A tyre that can be regrooved will have extra rubber underneath the tread. Not all tyres have this, and even those that claim they can be regrooved should be checked before regrooving takes place.

Should you consider regrooving your fleet’s tyres?

There are plenty of reasons why fleet managers should consider a tyre maintenance program that includes regrooving. These include the following advantages:

• Regrooving your tyres could increase their mileage.
• Tyres that last longer need to be replaced less often, and so purchase costs fall.
• The lower rolling resistance translates to better fuel consumption, and lower fuel costs.
• Drivers benefit from a safer and more comfortable drive.
• A further benefit is that maximising fuel consumption and minimising tyre disposal adds to your fleet’s green credentials.

Tyre regrooving is cost-effective and environmentally friendly. It makes good business sense. Why not book a tyre inspection for your fleet today? We’ll be happy to audit your fleet’s tyres and provide quotes for professional regrooving which will help you realise all the benefits we’ve discussed in this article.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Listen – do you know what that tyre noise is telling you?

Your hearing is the first tyre check you should make

Do you hear that noise? The one your tyres are making on Brisbane’s roads? That’s not just rubber on tarmac, that’s real communication. The squeals, squeaks, screeches and rumbles all tell you about the state of your tyres and more.

It is thought that three-quarters of effective communication is through listening to what the other person is telling you. With tyres in Brisbane, the noise they make tells you most of what you need to know about their condition. Listen to what they are telling you, for they are key to your safety. Those black circles are your single point of contact between you and the road. They are integral to the handling, comfort, and braking distance of your vehicle, in whatever weather and road condition Brisbane throws at you.

And you thought listening to your spouse was important…

Tyres always make a noise, don’t they?

Some noise from your tyres is inevitable. When rubber rolls against any surface there will be noise from the friction between the different materials. Air, water and debris move rapidly between the tyre tread, causing even more noise. Tyre manufacturers spend millions on creating tread patterns that cut down noise. Some have almost achieved perfection. But until vehicles float rather than roll, tyre noise will never be eliminated.

Much of the noise you hear your tyres make will be natural rubber against the road. Each tyre brand and product sound slightly different to another on the road. Learning to translate the noises your tyres make takes experience, though the language is the same. It’s a little like learning to understand what a Scot is saying when you are only used to speaking with fellow Aussies.

The language of tyres

There are several common sounds that your tyres make. They may squeal, squeak, or rumble. It is the language that tyres use to communicate to you. Let’s translate these sounds for you:

·      Squealing tyres

Your tyres may squeal, especially when you are turning tight corners. Often, you’ll hear this in car parks. If it appears that this squealing is from your front tyres, they are probably underinflated. You should check the tyre pressure, even if they don’t look underinflated.

·      Squeaking tyres

If you have a tyre that squeaks, you need to take notice straight away. It’s more dangerous than a squeal. A squeak could be a sign that your tread is worn unevenly, and usually on the front tyres. You might also experience some pulling to either the right or the left. Get to the tyre shop immediately and have your tyres, wheel balance and wheel alignment checked.

·      Squeaking with a rattle

If a squeaking tyre is accompanied by a rattle, it’s likely that the hubcap has come loose.

·      Grinding sounds

If you are suffering a grinding sound from your wheels, it’s time to be scared. The most likely cause is that your brakes are failing; worn drums or pads. Don’t take any risks with this noise. Wherever you are, get your vehicle checked immediately. Failing brakes are never good news – for you, your passengers, or other road users.

·      Rumbling and vibration

Some road surfaces (especially ribbed) cause your tyres to rumble and vibrate. However, a more important reason to be worried is that rumbling and vibration from your tyres could indicate that a wheel bearing is worn – especially if the noise gets louder as your speed increases. The wheel bearing keeps your wheel attached to the car. I don’t need to tell you how serious rumbling and vibration from your tyre is. It’s screaming to get your car checked.

·      Screeching

Screeching tyres is normal if you are cornering at high speed, or if you brake quickly to stop fast. It is caused by friction between rubber and road. However, if your tyres are screeching during normal driving, the likelihood is that your tread depth is illegal. Bring your vehicle into our tyre shop, and we’ll check your tread and locate the problem.

If in doubt, shout!

When you’ve been driving a while on a set of tyres, sometimes you instinctively know something isn’t quite right. There may be a noise that you can’t pinpoint or put into a particular ‘sound’ category, but you just have a feeling that it doesn’t sound right. It could be that you’ve hit a pothole or scraped against a kerb. Your wheel may have become misaligned, or your tread has worn, or your tyres are underinflated.

Don’t ignore the noise from your tyres. If you aren’t sure what it means, err on the side of caution. Get your tyres and car checked. Be safe, not sorry. Don’t take any chances – contact us today and book an appointment for a tyre check.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Warning for drivers in West Brisbane: driver fatigue and poor tyres kill

Tips to stay safe on the roads during school holidays

It’s that time of year again – school holidays. It means many of you could be packing up and heading out on a road trip from West Brisbane into the outback or interstate. Driver fatigue is a factor in as many as one in three road accidents. Poor tyres are a factor in almost as many road accidents. We want you and your family to stay safe, no matter whether you are on a shopping trip in West Brisbane or a family holiday to Perth.

In this article, you’ll read my tips to prevent driver fatigue and ensure your tyres will do the job they are designed for.

How do you know you’re getting tired behind the wheel?

Driver fatigue makes you a worse driver. Your reaction times are slower, and you’ll find it harder to concentrate on the road ahead. It leads to poor judgement. In the worst case, you could suffer a fatal accident.

There are some tell-tale signs that you are suffering from driver fatigue. These include:

• Heavy eyes and yawning
• Daydreaming behind the wheel
• Variable driving speeds
• Cramping in your legs and arms
• Impatience behind the wheel

You may also find that your braking becomes more lethargic, your steering less pronounced, and you change gears with a crunch. As tiredness increases, you’re likely to drift across lanes.

When are you most at risk of driver fatigue?

Many fatigue-related road accidents occur at night. However, contrary to popular myth, driver fatigue can happen at any time and isn’t confined to long-distance journeys.

Another myth is that it is the act of driving that makes drivers tired. It’s true that if you drive for hours upon hours, you are going to get tired. But most driver fatigue is a problem caused by lack of sleep before a road trip. You may work long hours or inconsistent shifts. You may have problems sleeping. Perhaps a newborn baby has been keeping you awake most of the night. There are many reasons why you could be tired before you sit behind the wheel.

How to avoid driver fatigue

When your body is in desperate need of sleep, your brain will shut it down. You get advanced warning of this – all those signs of fatigue we discussed a couple of paragraphs earlier. You should listen to them, and take a break. To avoid driver fatigue:

• Only travel for a maximum of ten hours in a day
• During a road trip, take regular breaks every couple of hours
• Share the driving if possible
• Avoid driving when you would normally be asleep

If you’re planning a long trip, make sure you sleep well the night before – and don’t drink alcohol before you go to bed. Alcohol stays in your system for 24 hours and makes you fatigued.

Now you’re fit for the road, are your tyres?

Okay, you’re ready to drive and fit for your family’s road trip. But are your tyres? When was the last time you checked the tread and tyre pressure? Here are a few basic tips to make sure your tyres are as fit for the journey as you are:

• A couple of days before you are due to leave, inspect your tyres. Make sure they don’t have bald patches, scuffs, bulges and scrapes. Legal minimum tread depth is 1.6mm. As soon as the tread reduces to below 3mm, tyre performance will be adversely affected. At 2mm, your braking distance is severely lengthened. If you are concerned about tread depth at all, bring your vehicle to our West Brisbane tyre shop. It isn’t worth the risk to do nothing.
• Before you leave, check tyre air pressures. Make sure they are at the recommended levels – you’ll find these on the tyre placard on the door jamb or in your vehicle owner’s manual.
• Make sure that each tyre valve is capped. It protects against dust and water.
• Don’t forget to make the same checks on your spare tyre.
• Don’t forget to check the tyres on a trailer or caravan if you are towing.

If you haven’t changed your tyres for five years or more, get them checked. Even if a tyre looks good, tyre rubber degrades because of the effects of weather. Particularly here in Brisbane, UV rays from the sun deplete tyre strength.

Be safe, not sorry. Don’t take any chances. Contact us today and book an appointment for a tyre check.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Continental’s latest truck tyre pressure monitoring system is unveiled in Brisbane

Greater safety, lower costs and greener fleets promised

The Brisbane Truck Show is Australia’s premier truck event. This year’s show held over three days in mid-May at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre. In its fiftieth year, as ever, the show had something for everyone. Corner for the kids, a hub for those seeking a new career in the truck industry, and the fantastic Plaza Terrace BBQ Bar. For those wanting a little up-market R&R, the Piano Bar beckoned.

One of the favourites of the show is the Heavy Vehicle Industry Innovation Centre. This year the exhibits didn’t disappoint. They never do. Continental took this opportunity to unveil its new truck tyre check products. And they look pretty good.

The new all-seeing eye for your truck tyres

The best truck tyre pressure monitoring systems help a fleet save on fuel costs and increase mileage. They help reduce costs further by increasing the ability to retread the tyres. Equally important, these systems increase safety by reducing the potential for tyre failure.

Easy-to-install tyre checking

Continental’s ContiPressureCheck is easy to install and mounted inside the tyre. You don’t have to have Continental tyres fitted to benefit from the system, either – it’s compatible with all tyre brands.

The sensor monitors the tyre continuously for both temperature and pressure. This data flow can be integrated with an existing telematics system and viewed on an external device.

Giving control to fleet managers

Another tyre check system, the YardReader Station, lets fleet managers monitor the tyre pressures of their fleet. It reads the data from the ContiPressureCheck each time the truck passes the station in the fleet yard. The fleet manager is more able to control the fleet’s tyres, ensuring they are inflated to the correct pressure for load and driving conditions. This system is due to be released here in Australia within the next few months, at the same time as the new ContiConnect.

Analytics made easy – ContiConnect

ContiConnect has been designed specifically for commercial fleets. It monitors and analyses tyre data that has been collected by the YardReader Station from the ContiPressureCheck sensors in each truck’s tyres. A report sent to the fleet manager. In the report, recommendations made for any corrections that may be needed. It allows the fleet manager to be more proactive in taking action such as tyre maintenance.

The entire system configured to connect the entire fleet’s tyres for monitoring. It means that whether a vehicle is on the road for several days at a time, or in and out of the yard on a daily basis, the data is always relevant and ‘in date’. Receiver units connected in the depot or in vehicles that are on the road, with an online portal providing full reporting of performance and efficiency.

Fleet-friendly benefits

Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) continue to evolve. The Continental system is an integrated system that works with existing systems and on all tyre brands.

Across an entire fleet, the effect of measuring, monitoring and correcting tyre pressures can be staggering. Mileage should increase as fuel consumption decrease. It is better for the environment as well as your bottom line.

With better tyre maintenance routines prompted by the reports produced by the Continental system, you should find that breakdowns caused by tyres minimised. It will slash your downtime, and increase the on-time delivery rates. Your drivers will be safer, as will other road users.

If you’d like more information about tyre pressure monitoring systems and how they could benefit your fleet, contact us today. Our mission is simple:

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 Six tyre myths burst forever

Are your tyre beliefs compromising your safety on Brisbane’s roads?

Most people hold a lot of common misconceptions about their tyres. Perhaps our fathers have taught us what they’ve been mistakenly taught by their fathers. Maybe what seems to be common sense, isn’t. Whatever the reason, if you follow these incorrect ‘tyre rules’ you could be putting yourself, your passengers, and other road users at risk.  Here are the six most common tyre myths I hear from customers.

1.    “There is no need to rotate tyres”

Most people have heard about the need to rotate tyres. Some drivers I’ve spoken to in Brisbane even think that rotating tyres is dangerous. Few believe that tyre rotation could save your life and protect your quality tyres.

Tyres wear differently depending upon where they are positioned on the vehicle. Rotating them evens out this wear and tear, and makes for a smoother and safer driving experience. It also helps to prolong the life of your tyres.

2.    “Used tyres are either great or rubbish”

Everyone has an opinion on used tyres and retreads. The majority either believe they are a bargain and perfectly usable, or that they should be avoided like the plague. The truth is that some used tyres are a bargain, especially if they are nearly new.

If you are considering buying new tyres, make sure you inspect them closely for wear, cuts, grazes and scars. A spare set of used tyres could be an investment worth making. If you do suffer a flat, you’ll have a replacement immediately handy.

3.    “There’s no need to check tyres”

If you think there is no need to check your tyres, you are not alone. You might also be one of the most dangerous drivers on Brisbane’s roads. The more experienced drivers are usually the ones that carry out regular tyre checks because they know how important it is. A bulging sidewall could be the warning of a blowout soon to happen.

If there is one habit you should adopt, it’s the four-minute tyre check that everyone should make.

4.    “If you inflate the tyre above its maximum pressure, it will burst”

The maximum pressure denoted on the sidewall indicates the maximum pressure at which the maximum load can be carried safely. A quality tyre won’t burst if inflated above the maximum pressure. However, you will want to avoid hitting a pothole at speed if your tyre is inflated to a very high pressure.

5.    “Unused tyres will last forever”

No, they won’t. Tyre rubber degrades even if the tyres aren’t driven on. Sun primarily degrades tyres. Even if you don’t drive many kilometres, you should consider changing your tyres a minimum of every five years – and certainly, have them checked by a specialist to make sure they are still robust and safe to use.

6.    “When you replace tyres, always put the new ones on the front axle”

It certainly sounds like the correct thing to do, but when you replace tyres, it’s the rear ones you should replace. Move the existing good tyres to the front, and put the new tyres on the rear. The reason you do this is that it is your rear tyres that give most stability to the car. They help maintain balance when you brake in wet conditions. It helps prevent skidding and spinning.

If your rear tyres have less tread than your front tyres, contact us today. Any delay in doing so could put you at risk, especially in poor driving conditions.

You should enjoy your driving, and know you’re safe while doing so. Your tyres are key to your safety on the road. Check them regularly, inflate correctly, and rotate regularly. Buy the best-quality tyres you can afford. And don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any doubts about the condition of your tyres here in West Brisbane.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood

0 How to avoid tyre damage when you parallel park in Brisbane

The five rules of parallel parking

I see a variety of damage to cars and tyres in Brisbane. The odd scratch here and there, perhaps a tiny dent or ding in a wing. Front and rear bumpers are prone to damage but look at most car doors, and you’ll notice tiny dints and marks – parking spaces never give enough door clearance, and even the smallest brush by an opening car door can leave a lifelong scar. Even when your car is parked on your drive, it runs the risk of a collision with the handlebars of your kid’s bike.

Some of the worst damage I notice is caused by gutter rash, the scraping of your wheel against the kerb when you’re parallel parking. If you hit the concrete kerb when parallel parking, your rims are going to suffer. Scratches, scrapes and scores will transform great-looking wheels into eyesores. But this is just aesthetic.

What’s most important is the damage you do to your tyres when you kerb them during a parking manoeuvre. You could find they get pinched, gouged, or split. Your sidewall strength is compromised, and this could have fatal consequences if you suffer a tyre blowout.

So, how do you avoid damaging your tyres and wheels when parallel parking? Here are five rules that will help you keep your tyres and wheels in tip-top condition when parallel parking in Brisbane.

1.    Learn how to parallel park

First and foremost, learn how to park. Pick a spot that is big enough, overshoot a little, and reverse slowly into the parking place. Turn your hazard lights on, and move the steering wheel first one way and then the other to reverse in. Move slowly, and steer quickly. We all hit the kerb now and again, but if you are reversing slowly, there’ll be very little (if any) damage to your tyre.

This YouTube video tutoring parallel parking is one of the best parking lessons I’ve watched.

2.    Know the size of your vehicle

Most gutter rash occurs because the driver isn’t sure of the size of the vehicle. It is why gutter rash is more common when you’ve changed cars, or you’re using a different car temporarily. There are a lot of vehicles that get driven out of the showroom and within a few hours have nasty wheel scrapes.

Learn how big your car is, and where the front and rear wheels are located. It will help you to park and avoid needing a taxi to get you from the car to the kerb.

3.    Use your mirrors!

You have mirrors for a reason, and they move for a reason. One of the best innovations in vehicle technology has been the electric wing mirror. Move the mirror, point it at the kerb, and watch for your rear tyre nearing the concrete. It’s the very best indicator of when you need to turn the steering wheel. So, you must spend a few seconds readjusting your mirrors for normal driving – isn’t this better than expensive (and dangerous) damage to your wheels and tyres?

4.    Fit the right-sized tyres

The rubber of your tyres helps to protect the wheel if you do kerb it. A correctly fitted tyre will create a shield which prevents your wheel from being gouged by a concrete kerb. If the tyre is too narrow, not only is it dangerous to drive on, but it exposes the tyre to kerb damage. So always make sure you have the right-sized tyre fitted to the right-sized wheel.

5.    What if you hit the kerb?

The harder you hit the kerb, the more damage you will cause your tyres and wheels. If you puncture the tyre, it will deflate quickly. If you don’t puncture the tyre, the sidewall could be compromised to such an extent that it becomes dangerous to drive on. You may not realise the danger until you are on the motorway, travelling at speed.

In our next blog, we’ll explain a simple and effective tyre checking process. In the meantime, if you have kerbed your wheels when parallel parking, don’t take any chances with your safety. Take your car to the nearest tyre shop, and get the tyres checked by a professional. This check could be the few minutes that saves your life.

If you’re in West Brisbane, contact us and let us know you’re on your way. We’ll be ready and waiting to make sure your tyres do what they are designed to do – keep you and your passengers safe.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin Wood