Repairing a minor puncture is quick and cheap, but many drivers wonder if it would be better to replace the tyre altogether. On the other side of the coin, it’s possible for a tyre dealer to tell customers that they need a new tyre even when they really don’t – or they might be making the recommendation for the driver’s safety. As a motorist, knowing when tyres can and should be repaired and when they need replacement is a handy bit of information, and Chris Lett of Branigans Tyres is happy to share the benefit of his not-inconsiderable experience.

When a Replacement is a Must

It’s possible to repair most punctures, but some either can’t be effectively plugged or might endanger the driver if a repair is attempted. In most instances, a visual inspection will tell drivers and tyre fitters what they need to know.

“A hole in a tyre can easily be mended if it is small enough,” says Chris. “It’s feasible to repair punctures with a size of up to 6mm, but if they’re any larger, a replacement will be in order.”

The location of a puncture is also important. If it’s towards the edge of the tyre or on the sidewall, the tyre needs to be replaced. “There’s a high risk of complete tyre failure if the tyre is punctured in certain spots,” says Chris. “The sides of a tyre flex more, and even if a puncture were plugged or patched, the repair would work its way out. Over and above that, the puncture reduces the structural integrity of the tyre, making it potentially dangerous to attempt driving with it.”

When to get a Puncture Repair

Slow leaks are by far the most common type of puncture, and it might be tempting to put off getting a repair. But Chris warns that doing so is akin to playing with fire: those who do so might not get burned, but there’s a far greater chance of it happening.

“A slow leak can get bigger with wear, and the weak spot makes the tyre more prone to a full-scale blowout. Even if it doesn’t blow out, a small leak means that the motorist is doing much of his or her driving on a tyre that is not at its proper inflation pressure. This will affect handling, and in an emergency, drivers need every bit of handling performance they can get in order to avoid an accident.”

How to Spot a Puncture

Sometimes, punctured tyres make their presence known in no uncertain terms. But at others, car owners may need to be alert to know that they have one. “Always walk around the vehicle and check the tyres before driving,” says Chris. “If any of them is starting to sag, there is probably a slow puncture. Alternatively, a change in the way the car handles on the road might be noticed as the first symptom of a puncture or a motorist may hear a clicking noise because an object lodged in the tyre is repeatedly hitting the tarmac.”

Although it’s easy enough to check tyre pressure at a local filling station, Chris recommends investing in a tyre pressure gauge. “A tyre needs to be badly underinflated before there is a visible change in its shape,” says Chris, “and since underinflated tyres add to risks on the road, keeping tabs on tyre pressure is the smart thing to do. It’s for the sake of safety, and safety should always come first.”

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. To guarantee customer satisfaction when it comes to tyre servicing and vehicle maintenance, 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 situated at 1/277 Southport-Nerang Rd.

Z-Tyres’ Limited Edition Gold-Plated Tyres

It’s no joke. Somewhere out there, gold-plated tyres really do exist. They were made by Dubai-based Z-tyres and were auctioned off for charity, raising around $195,000 AUD per tyre. The sidewalls of the tyres are picked out in gold leaf with a diamond-encrusted “Z” representing the brand. Who bought the tyres and whether they’ll ever be used on the road, remains a mystery. “It’s crazy,” says Chris, “but at least the money went to a good cause.”

Letourneau L-2350 Front-loader Tyres

If someone is a fan of huge yellow machines that get down and dirty doing big jobs, they’re almost sure to fall in love with the biggest earth-mover out there. Needless to say, the tyres are equally heavy-duty: they’re over 4 metres tall. This 260-tonner is used in surface mining, and replacing just one tyre costs in the region of $82,000 AUD. 

Caterpillar 797 Dump Truck Tyres

Muscle machines are still dominating the rankings for the most expensive tyres in the world, and Caterpillar Dump truck tyres are up there with the costliest. Needless to say, this is a big Cat: the largest dump truck out there, and a sheer monster that would dwarf a regular quarry runabout. On the off-chance that someone owns one, they can expect to dig deep for those tyres: it’ll cost about $44K AUD to replace a single one.

Bugatti Veyron Tyres

Described by enthusiasts as the “greatest car ever made” there’s nothing cheap about the Veyron. Then again, for those willing to fork out the $2.7m AUD it’ll cost to own one, they won’t be too fussy about the tyre price. That’s a good thing, because they probably won’t get away with paying less than $52K AUD to replace a tyre. To put this in perspective, let’s see what’s next on our list.

Space Shuttle Tyres

For those who have been buying tyres for a Veyron, a space shuttle tyre might look like a bargain at just about $7K AUD. But these masterpieces by Michelin have to take quite a punch. The rear tyres are only good for one landing, and the front ones must be replaced after two landings. All things considered, they’re probably better off with a Veyron!

If Tyres Seem Expensive, Check out Branigans

By this time, there might be a feeling of relief for those who drive a mundane Mazda or a straightforward Toyota, but if they’re feeling the pain of buying tyres, it’s time to shop around. Branigans Burleigh Heads, and its branch at Southport, offer budget-friendly prices and even a subscription service that allows vehicle owners to pay off their tyres in advance the easy way. 

Meanwhile Chris has decided that he won’t start working on a subscription service for space shuttle tyres just yet. “I don’t think the market is altogether ready for that,” he says with a grin.

For further information, visit or call Chris and his team at Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres by contacting the Service Centres in Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

1. Tyre Pressure Checks 

Although most people know that they need to ensure that their tyres aren’t underinflated, many people aren’t aware that changing temperatures can cause them to become overinflated. The air in tyres expands with heat, and overinflation causes unnecessary tyre wear, affects vehicle handling, and makes tyres more vulnerable to punctures. A sudden cold snap, on the other hand, could result in underinflated tyres, not because they’re losing air, but because the air inside them has contracted owing to the lower temperature.

Chris recommends checking tyre pressure when the tyres are close to ambient temperature using the car manufacturer’s recommended tyre pressure as the target. That means checking the tyre pressure after the car has been standing for a while, or after a short drive to the nearest filling station, not when the car has already been on a long drive. 

As for how often tyre pressure should be checked, once a month would be the absolute minimum frequency while some diligent folk recommend a check every five days. “It doesn’t take long to check tyre pressure,” says Chris, “so you may as well do it while you’re filling up with petrol, and you should certainly check before setting out on long journeys.”

2. Wheel Balancing, Wheel Rotation, and Wheel Alignment

Correct wheel balancing and alignment help to make tyres last longer and gives the driver a smoother ride. Chris says that the signs of poor wheel alignment are usually picked up when people stop in at his workshop for a tyre change or for rotation of tyres. “You can see the uneven tread wear,” says Chris, “and that tells technicians that the wheel alignment isn’t good.”

“If you drive smoothly on tarred roads, wheel alignment can stay correct for years. But if you often drive on rough roads, hit a pothole hard, drive into or over a curb, or are involved in an impact, you will need to have your wheels aligned more frequently. You’ll notice that it’s time to attend to wheel alignment if your steering wheel doesn’t automatically return to a straight position after cornering, and you are experiencing handling problems or unusual vibration. The faster you have it corrected, the better it will be for your tyres – and for your overall driving experience.”

Wheel balancing is done whenever tyres are changed. That includes times when the car owner goes for tyre rotation: another simple routine that helps tyres to last longer. “To extend tyre life, have the tyres rotated every 5,000 to 10,000 kilometres,” advises Chris. But wheel balancing weights can also fall off – it’s not that common, but also not impossible. The symptoms are similar to those indicating bad wheel alignment, and the driver will know that it’s time to visit a local tyre dealer to have it checked out.

3. Bonus Tips for Extending Tyre Life

Parking the car in the shade isn’t always possible, but sun exposure does degrade tyres over time. It’s also not great for the interior upholstery and the car’s paint-job. Even the battery life can be reduced. All in all, parking in the shade is the best bet – at least when it’s possible to do so. 

Travelling light can make a difference. “If you have a lot of heavy stuff in your car boot, it’s going to add its mite to tyre wear,” says Chris. “It’s usually not a biggie, but some people let things pile up in there over time, so giving it a clean out from time to time is never a bad idea.”

Last, but not least, getting really good quality tyres for one’s car could mean that they last longer. “It can be expensive going for big-name brands,” says Chris, “but our nearly-new tyres include some famous brands, and are often better than cheap new tyres in terms of service life.”

For further information, visit or call Chris and his team at Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres by contacting the Service Centres in Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

The Influence Behind Tyre Shopping

There are many things that influence a vehicle owner’s decision to buy new tyres or what they will look for. Quite often, a quick stop at the local tyre shop and a convenient selection of what is in stock or on special do the trick.

This is not always a bad thing, but to ensure a seamless (and safe) driving experience, there are things that definitely need to be considered before forking out on those black rubber hoops:

• Tyre safety and handling
• Road noise and comfort
• Tyre longevity and quality
• The driving terrain these tyres will be exposed to
• Price (obviously)
• Also, the type of driver a vehicle owner is

Key Requirements When Selecting Tyres

A vital aspect to consider when choosing new tyres is compatibility with the vehicle. The owner’s manual and documentation of a specific car will usually contain a list of compatible tyre types.

The key characteristics of the tyre on the vehicle can be found on its sidewall.

The same tyres will have to be placed on each wheel position too and are extremely important in maintaining performance and control.

The Meaning of the Codes on Tyres

On each tyre, there are a series of numbers and letters that may look like this: 195/55R/16/91H

Each of these digits/letters represents something different and provides vital information. When it comes to how to read tyre size, the first five digits of the code are the ones to concentrate on. The first three digits belong together and indicate the width of the tyre (in millimetres). In the example above, the tyre is 195mm wide. shares Chris.

The two digits following the first slash are what is known as the aspect ratio. Essentially this is the height of the tyre as a percentage of the width. “So, in the example, the tyre has an aspect ratio of 55, meaning the profile height is 55% of its total width (107.25mm),” shares Chris.

In closing, here are some Fast Facts to save for that next trip to the tyre shop:

• Check vehicle documentation for compatible tyre types.
• Tyre size is defined by width, diameter, and height-to-width aspect ratio.
• The load index indicates how much load a vehicle can support.
• The speed rating indicates the maximum speed the tyre is capable of.
• Fit the same model and make of tyre on all four-wheel positions.

For further information, visit or call Chris and his team at Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres by contacting the Service Centres in Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency

The intrinsic development of new tyre technology will ultimately redefine how vehicles are driven and it will illustrate how pressure monitoring systems, for instance, have helped maximise the use of tyres. As the digital sphere of the planet expands, eco-friendly tyre options are produced. On the flip side, electricity is something that seems to be finding its way into tyre production as well.

Chris Lett, tyre expert, and owner of Branigans Budget Tyres suggest “tyres have been material and mechanical for so long, but the electrical dimension is now where it’s at and will change the way cars perform.”

Smart Tyres

These types of tyres were projected to make a big wave in the automotive industry, but for a long time, nothing came of it. That is until the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show blew everyone’s caps off with presentations of Smart Tyre concepts by manufacturers like Sumitomo Rubber Industries. They presented tyres with a sensing core, active thread and performance-sustaining technology that assists in the alteration of tyre pressure.

Adjustable wheel concepts have now seeped into the market and allow the driver to control the amount of rubber contacting the surface and varies the car tyre pressure based on road conditions.

Electrical Tyres

Electrical tyres are undoubtedly the future. There is potential for these tyres to reign supreme in the automotive industry with optimised convenience and safety in driving while its restorative technology will lower the costs of tyre management.

3D Printed Tyres

While this concept is not too far removed from smart tyres, 3D printed tyres will redefine how vehicles are designed, produced and maintained. Biodegradable material use in production can make the 3D printed tyre evolution reach greater heights and would mean that tyres can be 3D printed from a variety of recycled materials.

This conceptual tyre technology will be one step closer to ultimate vehicle performance at a fraction of the cost basic management and repairs cost now.

Run-Flat Tyres

Don’t be fooled by the name. This is a contemporary tyre technology development which, simply put, means a vehicle is capable of running with punctured tyres. Run-flat options are a way to increase car durability and ensure better road safety, but it is also said to assist with minimisation of fuel consumption.

Most conventional tyres puncture easily, they aren’t made with the environment in mind and most importantly, it doesn’t always ensure one’s safety. The way forward is with durable, eco-friendly tyres that are designed to keep not only the car in mind but also the person driving it.

For further information, visit or call Chris and his team at Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres by contacting the Service Centres in Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.

The driving force behind Australia’s Branigans Tyres for 15 years and provider of slightly used, high quality tyres, Lett says that where things stand at this point, it looks like tyres (and brakes) will continue to carry a big share of the blame for pollution even after the non-gas guzzlers are on the roads in large numbers and accurate statistics can be determined.

Exhaust Emissions May Not be the Problem

Lett says many factors have to be taken into account when comparing the environmental impacts of electric cars with those of fossil fuel vehicles (and particularly diesel-powered ones) that have to date been considered responsible for polluting the air of urban areas, even in spite of regulations in parts of the world limiting the amount of emissions allowed. A major plus for EVs has therefore been that they don’t rely on that fuel, and they don’t have exhausts.

However, research has shown that fossil fuel and exhausts might not even been the worst contributor of pollution even when non-electric cars ruled the road. Quoting data from Emissions Analytics, Lett says it seems that pollution caused by brake, tyre and road wear, insufficient tyre pressure, and rough roads, could be producing 1,000 times more pollution than exhausts ever have. And this is not helped by the increasing trend towards heavier vehicles like SUVs.

According to Lett, other factors have been added to the controversy when it comes to the eco-friendliness of battery-driven cars. These include a manufacturing process claimed to emit around 35% more emissions than those released during the production of the standard car; the damage to the road surface caused by EVs’ heavier weight; and continuing to use rubber tyres which will pollute the air as well as the sea and other waterways some claim will involve even more of the toxic fine particles that are associated with them.

Changes to Tyres Should Be On the Roll

He said developments are already underway as tyre manufacturers adopt a different approach to the manufacturing of both the EVs, and the tyres they use, for the sake of the environment, as well as to address the nearly 200 variables involved in the changeover.

Among these are the need for greater durability in order to extend the life of the tyres; suitable materials and methods of construction; and the design of the side-walls and treads.

EV Tyres Will Have to Last Longer

According to Lett, at present using standard tyres on electric vehicles would be unwise, unless the vehicle’s owner is prepared to accept that they won’t last as long on an EV as they would on a fuel-driven car.

EVs are considerably heavier because of the added weight of the batteries which power them between recharges. This, and the instant torque that gets the car moving quickly, puts extra strain on the tyres. And larger numbers or increased sizes of the batteries used will make the situation worse, as will the presence of two engines, one electric and one combustion, that are found in some hybrid vehicles.

“If used on the wheels of electric cars or hybrids, standard tyres are therefore more likely to have a shorter working life than they would when used on their non-electric counterparts,” Lett says.

For further information and assistance in choosing the right replacement tyres, visit or call Chris and his team for Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres Service Centre at Burleigh Heads (07) 5535 2660 or Southport (07) 5591 8633.

Syndicated by Baxton Media, The Market Influencers, Your Digital Marketing Agency.