Vehicle brakes provide a great deal of control and security for all vehicle owners. They perform the extraordinary role of keeping you safe and possibly saving your life on the road. It’s time they deserved the respect and break they need!

From emergency stops, to sharp turns, brakes are at the forefront of life-threatening preventions and uncertainties that accompany the on-road experience. “Vehicle owners should understand how their brakes work and how they can be maintained and even improved,” says Chris Lett, Australian tyre recycler and owner of Branigans Tyres. He discusses major ways in which vehicle owners can improve their brake’s performance.

Fitting new brake pads: Brake performance and overall safety can be improved by fitting new brake pads,” says Lett. “This should be done at least once a year or more often if covering more than the average kilometres a year,” he adds.

Upgrading the brake kit: Large brake kits are both the fastest and best ways to improve the braking performance. “The heat takes slightly longer to accumulate on larger disc surfaces, at the same time helping them cool down much faster,” says Lett. “Through cross-drilled and well-ventilated discs, the cooling down process is more effective,” adds Lett.

Keeping the brakes cool: Should new brake pads overheat, this can alter the underlying structure of the brake pad material. “Until brakes are fully bedded down, vehicle owners should prevent heavy braking that could lead to potential overheating. This can include any circumstances, from towing heavy loads, to stopping immediately after high speeds,” says Lett.

Braking properly and often: More braking is better than less, and braking gently is better than heavy braking overall. “For the first 300km, each time the brake pads establish contact with the discs, it increases the contact area surface between the two parts, allowing better braking in the future. Therefore, braking more often and lightly is recommended for the first 300km, after the new pads have been fitted,” says Lett. “Driving slower provides vehicle owners with an opportunity to brake lightly. Braking faster and harder wears out the brakes more quickly. Another precautionary measure is to keep an ideal distance between vehicles, which will also provide you with quicker reaction time, and prevent the unnecessary slamming of the brakes,” adds Lett.

Maintaining the condition of the brakes: A routine maintenance check up should be done every year. At Branigans Tyres, experts will check the condition of the brake pads, the disc and the brake fluid and give you peace of mind.

At Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett and his team ‘go green’ and are experts in the recycled tyre business. Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Check out their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. Branches are situated at 13 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads, contact number (07) 5535 2660 or 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd, Southport contact number, (07) 5591 8633.

Written and Syndicated by: YDMA News

Braking systems are designed and purposed for safety. Over the years, braking systems have evolved. Branigans Tyres owner, and Australian recycled tyre specialist, Chris Lett, discusses the most common types of vehicle brakes. “The majority of brakes utilise friction on two sides of the wheel, thus the collective press on the wheel converts the kinetic energy to heat to slow the car,” says Lett.

The most common types of braking systems in modern vehicles today are Electromagnetic, Hydraulic, Mechanical and Servo Braking Systems.

Electromagnetic Braking Systems are found in a number of modern, as well as hybrid vehicles. This braking system utilises the principle of electromagnetism in achieving friction-less braking, increasing both the reliability of the brakes, and the life span.

Hydraulic Braking Systems run on friction, cylinders and brake fluid. “Through creating pressure within, diethylene glycol or glycol ethers force the brake pads to stop the wheels from moving,” says Lett. Considered as one of the most important braking systems for modern vehicles, the hydraulic braking system has a lesser chance of brake failure.

Mechanical Braking Systems operate the hand or emergency brake. The brake force applied to the pedal is then transferred to the final brake drum or disc rotor through multiple mechanical links like springs, cylindrical rods, and fulcrums in order to stop the vehicle. “Mechanical Braking Systems were used in a lot of older motor vehicles, however they are less effective nowadays, to the point of being obsolete,” says Lett.

Servo Braking Systems or Vacuum Assisted Braking Systems is when pressure is increasingly applied to the pedal by the driver. Pushing the brake pedal then releases the vacuum on the side of the booster, with the difference in air pressure pushing the diaphragm for braking the vehicle’s wheels.

The types of vehicle brakes include: The Disc Brakes, and The Drum Brakes. The Disc Brakes are normally made of cast iron, but can also be made of ceramic-matrix composites nowadays. This brake is linked to the wheel and/or axle. In order to stop the wheel, friction material in the brake pads is forced onto both sides of the disc.

Drum Brakes are a traditional brake in which friction is caused by a set of pads or shoes that press against a rotating drum-shaped tool called a brake drum.

At Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett and his team can overhaul your braking system and ensure your brakes are in good working order. They are also experts in the environmentally friendly recycled tyre business and can ensure you have the safest tyres on your car.

Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Check out their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package start at $7.97 and help motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. Branches are situated at 13 Flagstone Drive, Burleigh Heads, contact number (07) 5535 2660 or 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd, Southport contact number, (07) 5591 8633.

Written and Syndicated by: YDMA News

Brakes stand at the forefront of vehicle and motorist safety. This month, brake safety is highlighted. It’s purpose, characteristics, and performance will inform drivers comprehensively on maintaining safe and top-notch service.

Chris Lett, Branigans Tyres owner and trusted Australian tyre recycler, informs motorists about Brake Safety Awareness, and urges them to create a brake safety checklist.

“It’s time for people to get serious about their brakes; from preparing for long-road family trips, to getting to work, and everything in between,” says Lett. “The increase in vehicle usage should prompt motorists to check their brakes and the condition of them regularly,” Lett adds.

Brake inspections can be carried out by the owner. However, it is best if the inspection is undertaken by a professional mechanic. This can also include regular brake system care, and overall vehicle maintenance. Making sure that braking system functions are properly operational, enables motorists to have peace of mind.

“Start with checking the vehicle’s brake fluid, and ensure there are not any leaks. If the brake fluid is a dark colour, it might have to be flushed out. Inspect the vehicles braking components, push the brake pedal and feel out the performance of the braking. Initially these inspections should be performed when the brakes are working well,” says Lett. “It is best to be prepared and ensure the safety of all road users,” adds Lett.

On the road, it is imperative to acclimatise to the conditions presented. For example: When on a highway, stop safely and with a decent amount of space between one’s vehicle, and the other vehicle. Brake with alertness on wet and slippery roads, and slow down if needed.

“Brakes should be checked at least once a year,” says Lett. Listen for warning signs such as strange brake responses, noises, and an abnormal feeling when the brake pedal is depressed. Along with brake inspections, it is important to ensure that one’s vehicle tyres are also in good condition, with no punctures, tread wear and other potential tyre concerns. Branigans Tyres specialises in tyre maintenance and solutions to best prepare drivers on the road at extremely affordable prices, and provide professional assistance on one’s tyre performance and improvement.

“A brake checklist should incorporate the performance of the brakes, their condition, and the condition of the brake fluid,” says Lett. “Nothing is more important than one’s life, and Brake Safety Awareness emphasises this. So let’s ensure that all road users are safe and undertake thorough and professional brake checks,” adds Lett.

Branigans Tyres has well-established workshops in Burleigh Heads and Southport in the Gold Coast region. Browse through their full range of services or current featured promotions. Branigans award-winning affordable tyre subscriptions package starts at $7.97 and helps motorists budget for their ongoing tyre needs.

Vehicle owners are encouraged to drive in at their convenience as no pre-bookings or appointments are required. The branches are Burleigh Heads: (07) 5535 2660 situated at 13 Flagstone Drive or Southport: (07) 5591 8633 located at 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd.

Written and syndicated by YDMA News.