Category Archives for "Tyres"

0 Tyre Centre Tips – hitting the curb will cost your tyres and vehicle

We are often in a hurry, whether we are running late for work, dropping the kids at school, struggling to make that appointment or running more errands than capable in one day. This often means that we are a lot more susceptible to hitting the gutter when parking, running up the traffic island or hitting the pothole a little bit too fast. Unaware at the time with our minds worrying about the shopping in the boot, making the meeting or picking up the kids, these bumps, knocks and ditches for our tyres are expensive and damaging. A top tyre centre tip is to take the time to avoid any sudden unnecessary bumps and jolts to the wheels; you might think ‘one bump doesn’t matter’ but when you get the bill from your tyre centre for a set of new tyres you’ll wish you’d taken a bit more care.

How will it affect my tyres and vehicle?

Knocking your wheel alignment out can have substantial effects on driving performance and tread wear on your tyres. By knocking your wheel alignment but just 1/8th. of an inch you can cause irreparable damage to your suspension, tyres and wheels. By having your alignment out by that much is the equivalent of dragging your tyres sideways for 84 metres every 1.5km you travel.

Prevention is the best medicine…

Obviously to avoid damaging your tyres and wheels is the first step to avoiding damage to your vehicles wheel alignment and suspension. In saying that we don’t always see the pothole coming up in the road, or in that tricky reverse park in the city we may accidentally push up against the gutter. There is only so much we can do to minimise the damage on our own behalf. Regular checks by Darra Tyres experts when you are purchasing new tyres or replacing a tyre is the best bet to help prevent damage to your vehicle and potentially your safety.

To have your vehicle inspected by experts who have been in the industry for years come down to Darra Tyre Service and receive the customer experience that you deserve. Give us a call now on 3333 5510 or you can enquire online and one of our sales team will be in contact with you very shortly.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and Darra Team

0 Industrial Tyres – Don’t neglect your tractor tyres check!

Do you have agricultural machinery or tractors but don’t really have the time to use them on your land?

Neglecting tractor tyres, agricultural machinery tyres or any industrial tyres for that matter for an extended period of time can be deadly.

Tyres will start to perish after they have been sitting unused for quite some time. The dangers are only seen when it’s too late. Too many people think that because the vehicle or machinery is not being used then “the tyres must be fine, a bit of air and they will be good as new!”, this is not the case. Not matter how little use the tyres have received age will deteriorate tyres to an unsafe level for use.

But they looked fine…

A simple look over the tread of the tyre is not a comprehensive check. Dry rotting and cracks to the tyre sidewall can occur and this is what can cause a tyre to burst. A tyre burst can be extremely deadly no matter how big the vehicle or machine. Especially on a large tractor or plough a burst tyre can cause the vehicle to roll, veer off course and cause accidents.

Is there a timeline on how long my tyres will last?

There is no expiry date like a litre of milk would have. As a guide tyres will start to lose the natural oils about 5 years after production. All tyres are produced with a serial Tyre Identification Number (TIN). It’s generally written in a 4 digit style. E.g 3494 is the 34th week of 1994, or 2806 is the 28th week of 2006.

What to do if you’re really not sure whether or not you tyres are safe…

It’s simple, give the team at Darra Tyres a call on 3333 5510 and our mobile service team will come out to our commercial customers or you can bring the tyre down to us at Darra for a proper inspection of the tyres condition and air pressure. If you’re not sure then it’s probably not safe. Always ask an expert. And what better experts than the team at Darra Tyres who have over 100 years combined experience in the tyre and automotive industry. Give us a call or enquire online to speak with one of our experts today!

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and Darra Team

0 Tyre Centre Tips For Driving Safely in Wet Weather

The most important thing when driving safely in wet weather is the condition of your tyres. The muggy Queensland heat combined with rain can make the roads extremely slippery and dangerous. We have very unpredictable weather in Queensland so you need to make sure your tyres are well looked after so they can look after you when it’s wet! Prepare yourself for the the next wet day with these tyre centre tips.

How often should I check or change my tyres?

You really need to be checking the inflation and physical appearance of your tyres at least every two weeks. If you are unsure how to properly check you tyres for legal tread depth and proper inflation click here to see our article that outlines how.

Tyre Centre Tips – Driving in the wet and how to do it safely…

• Allow extra time. Never rush to your destination, especially in the wet!
• The minimum safe driving distance in good conditions is 3 seconds, so give yourself some extra room when it’s wet in case of the need for emergency braking.
• Brake earlier and with less force. Slamming on the brakes in the wet can make you lose control of the vehicle, it also gives the driver behind you plenty of time to react to your decrease in speed.
• Give yourself some light, even in light rain it can be hard to see in front of you. Let other cars know where you are.
• Keep the rear and front windscreen clear using the air con or de mist option.
• If the rain gets really bad just pull over and wait it out. It’s not worth getting somewhere unless you get there alive.

If you feel like your tyres may not be equipped well enough for the next batch of wet weather then come down to our shop and we will let you know the condition of your tyres, if they’re legal or if they need replacing. If they’re fine then it was only 5 minutes in and out and you can drive away with peace of mind.

Come down at see us at our Darra shop, give us a call on3375 3566 to get expert advice and tyres to keep you and your family or fleet safe.

Keeping your family and fleet safely on the road,

Kevin and Darra Team

0 Best Tyres – Are space saver tyres convenient or crazy?

A few things you should know before hitting the road with your space saver spare

When buying a new car just be wary that it may be fitted with a space saver tyre. These tyres are generally fitted in smaller new vehicles to, as the name suggests, save space. While this is all good and well to fit an extra picnic basket or bag of shopping in the boot, are these really the best tyres to carry as a spare?

What’s the difference between space saver tyres and regular spare?

A space saver tyre is designed as the name suggests to save some space in the boot of your car, where a regular spare is much larger. The temporary spare will be a lot smaller in diameter and will usually be sporting a nice yellow rim.

So what’s the performance difference between a regular spare and temporary spare?

According to the RACQ a temporary or space saver tyre will significantly alter the emergency braking, steering and cornering of the vehicle. Due to their different size and abilities they can only be used for a certain distance and speed. Usually a temporary spare can only be used up to a maximum of 80 km/h for up to 2 hours. These tyres are not designed to be used for extended periods of time and should only be used to get the vehicle to the nearest workshop or tyre dealer.

A temporary spare tyre can be expensive to replace if used until it’s unroadworthy which is usually around 450km.

Does the car have ABS braking?

For those cars that have ABS braking fitted, attaching the temporary spare tyre will disable the ABS braking, this is because the smaller size of the tyre may cause the ABS to kick in unnecessarily, hence it’s disconnected. The driver must make sure the ABS braking is reconnected when a replacement tyre has been fitted.

Will the use of a temporary spare affect my insurance?

As long as the temporary spare is used within the vehicle manufacturers guidelines then it shouldn’t exclude your claim the insurer will determine whether the temporary tyre was used within specifications (Speed, distance, etc.)

If you require any more information or need a replacement tyre, spare or temporary spare don’t hesitate to give our team at Darra Tyres a call on 3375 3566. We have the industry experts and experience to get your vehicle safely back on the road. Don’t compromise on safety and give us a call now or you can enquire online and one of our sales team will be in touch very shortly.

Cheer,

Kevin Wood

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

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

What causes a tyre burst?

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

Would you know what to do?

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

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

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

Get you’re foot off that brake!

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

Hold that wheel!

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

Don’t be afraid to use the accelerator…

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

Signal to safety…

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

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

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

If you’re nearby give us a call!

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

0 Michelin Tyres – Get More Miles for your Money

Michelin Tyres – Getting more for your money

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

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

What the new XM2 delivers…

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

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

What is rolling resistance?

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

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

Will they fit my car?

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

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

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

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

Tyre centre tips for using Run-Flat Tyres

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

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

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

What does this mean if I fit a standard tyre…

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

Talk to you’re run-flat tyre experts…

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

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

Cheers,

Kevin Wood

0 Brisbane Tyres – Four Tyre Safety Checks you must do

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

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

Tyre Pressure

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

Condition of Tyre Wall

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

Check the spare!!

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

Enough Tread?

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

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

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

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

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

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

We’re here for the long haul…

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

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

Never worry about your fleet again…

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

We have all your tyre needs…

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

0 Mining Tyres & OTR Truck Tyres from Darra Tyres Brisbane

There has been talk of a shortage of mining tyres in Australia due to China’s insatiable demand for Australian commodities.

The addition of new trucks for the mines and replacing tyres on these trucks to keep up the demand from China has caused a gap in the supply of tyres for mining and OTR vehicles.

How we are adjusting to look after your vehicles needs…

We have been actively looking for new suppliers and ways to bring our customers the products they need on time so they can get the job done. We understand how costly downtime is for a million dollar truck to just be sitting in the yard. Remote mining towns in Queensland can now order the tyres they need for their mining and OTR vehicles and we will do the rest.

What information do we need to get the right mining tyres or OTR truck tyres for you?

We understand how harsh the working conditions are in the mining towns across Australia so we know that you need good quality tyres to get the job done. To get the right tyres for your vehicle we will need to know:

• Make of the vehicle
• Model of the vehicle
• Year
• Application of the vehicle
• Terrain and working environment
• Average speed of the vehicle
• Average distance travelled

Why do you need to know this?

Each application and vehicle will need a different tyre. So it is imperative that we get the correct tyre for the right vehicle, working environment and application.

How will I get my tyres to the job site?

When we know what kind of tyres you require we will find the most cost effective solution to deliver them to you as quick as possible. We can give you a no obligation free quote which will include the freight or shipping of the product to your desired location.

To find out more Contact Us, you can come down to 5 Station Ave Darra, call or email us. We look forward to hearing from you!