Those with enquiring minds may wonder what “best practice” consists of. Branigans Tyres’ owner, Chris Lett is happy to expand on the topic. “Whatever happens, old tyres shouldn’t be left lying around in heaps, burned, or sent to landfills,” says Chris. “Not too long ago, tyre disposal was a huge problem, particularly in the United States, where massive ‘tyre mountains’ were not uncommon. One of them caught fire in 1983. It consisted of an estimated 7 million tyres, and the resulting plume of smoke caused dangerous air pollution that affected three US states. Responsible tyre disposal is important, and Branigans has all the systems in place to achieve it.”

How to Handle Old Tyres

Chris doesn’t believe in leaving anything to chance, and that includes the disposal of tyres. Grading is the first step. Some tyres may be too worn-out for use in Australia, a country where retreading is no longer cost-effective. However, there are parts of the world where retreading is still done and where rough roads mean that no tyre, no matter how new, is going to last very long and using older tyres makes the best sense.

“Branigans sends container-loads of tyre casings to countries involved in recycling and to countries where ‘2nd grade’ tyres are welcomed,” explains Chris. There are other forms of recycling too.

“When the tyres are so old that they can’t possibly be reused, it’s possible to extract valuable elements from them. The tyres are chipped and oil, steel, and carbon black will be among the usable elements reclaimed. Tyre chips can be recycled in several ways. There’s a special type of asphalt made using chipped tyres, and there’s even a springier type of paving made with recycled tyres as a component. On top of that, various products including exercise mats and vehicle mudguards can be made with old tyre rubber.”

The End of the Tyre Disposal Problem Could be in Sight

Chris notes that new designs for non-pneumatic tyres that are fully recyclable and will never go flat are on the way. “Hankook recently tested the performance of its iteration of the idea with positive results, and Michelin is also busy with a similar concept.”

“It’s possible that, in the future, tyre disposal won’t be as complex as it is now, but it should be remembered that there are still a lot of rubber tyres out there, and it will probably be several decades before the situation changes. Meanwhile, it’s every person’s responsibility to ensure that old tyres are disposed of or reused in an environmentally-appropriate way, and Branigans can be relied on to apply the best solutions as part of its responsibility towards the community, the planet, and future generations.”

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.

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“There’s a perception that doing things the more environmentally-friendly way will be more costly and that will push prices up,” says Chris, “but that’s not always true. For example, using fewer resources to produce a product may be environmentally-friendly and cost-saving at once, and choosing new or nearly new things that would otherwise have been thrown away is almost always cheaper.”

Going Green with Tyres: Multiple Benefits

Just keeping car tyres in good condition and replacing them when necessary is already eco-friendly and can be a cost saving. “Good quality tyres improve fuel efficiency,” explains Chris, “and if the car is more fuel-efficient, it also produces fewer emissions while being cheaper to run.” 

However, Branigans takes the combination of saving customers money while benefiting the environment a step further. The business offers “nearly new” tyres that Chris and his team source and thoroughly check before resale. 

“Only the best ones will do for Branigans,” says Chris, “and the guarantee offered ensures that consumers can buy them with complete confidence. Needless to say, the tread of the tyres chosen for resale is in good condition, and the inspection eliminates tyres with any flaws. It’s a great way to save people money with tyres that are still good for thousands of kilometres. And since perfectly good tyres that would otherwise have been dumped now have a longer time in service, it’s environmentally friendly too.” 

Old Tyres Reused or Recycled

Environmentally-conscious motorists may find themselves wondering about the other end of the tyre life-cycle. After all, old tyres are removed and disposed of whenever tyres are replaced. But Chris has this end of things sewn up too. “There are many ways to recycle old tyres nowadays,” says Chris, “and Branigans is very particular about where waste tyres end up. They should never be burned or sent to landfills, for example.”

Despite advances in recycling, Chris admits that rubber car tyres still aren’t ideal from an environmental perspective: “Some of the big tyre manufacturing companies are working on improving lifespan and recyclability through using different designs and materials,” he says, and there are already indications that they may have found a better solution. How long it will take these advances to reach the general motoring public is a matter for speculation. Meanwhile, everybody needs tyres, and by conducting its business as it does, Branigans limits the environmental impact of its activities while providing safe, cost-effective, and above all, greener tyres to its customers. 

Eco-Friendly Can be Cheaper – and it’s Not Just Tyres

“There are certainly times when greener alternatives will be more costly,” says Chris, “but it won’t always be the case. Sometimes, the planet-friendly option will have a lower price tag, as it does at Branigans, but sometimes, comparing costs can mean looking at things like running costs or the expected useful lifespan of an item to weigh cost against benefits properly.”

“It’s great that people are willing to pay more for greener options, but if they follow the principles of ‘reduce, reuse, recycle,’ being green will very often cost less. Branigans Tyres does all three, and the savings are passed on to its clients.”

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.

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Chris Lett, owner of Branigans Tyres, a family business with outlets in Burleigh Heads and Southport, says he’s come up with a solution to the problem: a subscription towards annual tyre replacements. 

“The company workshops often see clients arriving with tyres that are well past the level of wear that should be on the road. In most instances, consumers say that even with budget-friendly prices, attending to tyre replacements places strain on household finances. That’s why Branigans decided to take the pain out of tyre replacements with its subscription model.”

Subscribing to Tyres

The model is a simple one, and its sole aim is to make it easy for motorists to attend to wheel and tyre maintenance. Motorists sign up to the service which requires a small weekly subscription payment. After a year (52 weeks), they qualify for four roadworthy tyres plus wheel balancing and alignment. 

In setting up the tyre subscription service, Chris hopes to help households that have either been inclined to delay necessary car maintenance, or who have become accustomed to using some form of credit to cover costs for which they haven’t budgeted. “It’s unlikely that ‘replacement tyres’ is a line item in most household budgets, but thanks to subscriptions, it can be one that’s small enough to be all-but-negligible. When it’s time to claim their tyres, they’re already paid for and it’s just a matter of popping in to collect,” explains Chris. 

Hassle-Free and Without Extra Charges

To make offering the subscription possible without having to levy extra admin charges and without any need for prospective subscribers to visit Branigans Tyres’ physical locations, Chris has harnessed the power of automation. 

“Everything happens automatically from the time when a customer visits the Branigans website and signs up,” explains Chris. “The system keeps track of the subscription, manages payments, sends out receipts, and notifies clients once they’re eligible for their set of tyres and associated services.”

“With wheel balancing and alignment included in the deal, the overall effect is that subscribers get more for less. They don’t have to think twice about replacing their tyres, and they end up getting a great deal at the same time.”

Thanks to its tyre subscription service, Branigans has found one more way to benefit its clients – and another way to differentiate the company from similar ones serving Gold Coast. “Branigans has always worked hard to give its customers great deals and services they can rely on. Tyre subscriptions make wheel and tyre maintenance a household budgeting breeze, and it’s hoped that clients will find this service both helpful and convenient,” says Chris.

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.

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One of the best things about being kind to the environment is the fact that it can actually save you money. “When people talk about reducing emissions, for example,” says Chris, “they’re basically talking about improving fuel efficiency. And a more fuel-efficient car is going to get vehicle owners further for less.”

1.Branigan’s Specialty: Nearly New Tyres

It’s almost unbelievable that nearly-new tyres, even famous brand ones, are sometimes simply discarded. “A new car owner may decide to go for custom rims, or prefer a particular brand of tyres over the ones the car came with, and sometimes, brand-new cars might be involved in accident,” says Chris. “Whatever the reason, Branigans uncovered the reality that nearly-new tyres were being discarded.”

“While there have been some advances in environmentally-friendly tyre disposal, throwing away tyres that are practically new is simply a waste. Through motor industry contacts, Branigans Tyres Southport has acquired a number of sources that allows it to purchase tyres that are in good condition with tread depth still at 50 to 90 percent. Technicians inspect the tyres, and if they pass a thorough safety check, cost-savings are passed on to customers, along with a product that has environmental benefits.”

2. Maintaining the Car for Optimum Fuel Efficiency

Basic maintenance of a vehicle, be it regular servicing or wheel balancing and alignment not only help the car to run more smoothly and reliably, but optimise fuel efficiency. Less use of fuel equates to a greener ride plus money savings, so everybody benefits, including the planet itself. 

As an added benefit, being diligent with vehicle maintenance will extend the useful life of a car and help to get better resale prices if the owner opts for selling it to get a newer one. What’s more, with fewer components at risk of undue wear and tear, the overall cost of keeping a car on the road is reduced. 

3. Keep Tyres at the Right Pressure

Checking your tyre pressure at regular intervals and maintaining it to specification doesn’t just save on tyre wear – it also improves fuel efficiency. “It’s a simple thing to do,” says Mr Lett, and it’s also a green thing to do. You reduce waste from too-frequent tyre replacement, and you use less fuel. That means less pressure on a non-renewable resource as well as reduced emissions plus cost savings.” When drivers stop at the filling station, they should check the tyre pressure. It’s the right thing to do!

Caring for the Environment Means Caring for One’s Car – and it Saves Money

While vehicle owners might not be able to afford the latest in fuel-efficient, hybrid, or electric cars, simply taking care of the vehicle they already own will make a positive difference to the environment. Since it also reduces vehicle maintenance and running costs, it’s also good for their pocket. 

At Branigans Tyres, clients can be sure of leaving the workshop with all the wheel and tyre-related maintenance they need completed in line with the highest industry standards. They get nearly-new tyres with wheel balancing included in the cost, and they get their wheel alignment sorted out for a smoother, greener ride.

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.

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Air Pressure

Keeping tyres well inflated will reduce friction and resistance when racing around. Should the tyre pressure of a car dip 10 PSI lower than the recommended pressure on the tyre, fuel economy can be reduced by up to 10%.

“Checking air pressure on tyres only takes a moment of your time, so top it up regularly,” advises Chris Lett, owner and tyre expert at Branigans Tyres. He also suggests the observation of what gauge a vehicle driver follows. “Sometimes service stations don’t always have accurate measures but do invest in an inexpensive pressure gauge and leave it in the glove box,” he says.

If that’s not high on the list of priorities, at least stop by any Branigans Tyres branch for a quick (and free) pressure check before hitting the road.

Air Conditioning

When a vehicle’s air conditioning is maxed out, distance per fuel consumption is reduced anywhere between 5 to 20%. The best way to minimise consumption is to wait a few minutes before dialling it up.

Another way to reduce the impact air conditioning has on fuel efficiency is to switch it off and drive with open windows in lower speed areas. Flick the air conditioning off a few minutes before arriving at a destination and save up on gas even during summer.

Driving style

Drivers should be conscious of a car that is constantly consuming fuel and should let the following help influence their driving. A few things to monitor are listed below.

• Avoid tailgating; for one, it annoys the person in front but it’s always going to make driving less consistent with braking and accelerating.
• Drivers should avoid racing off the mark. They must resist pushing the pedal to the floor to get going, rather just build up speed with steady acceleration.

Remove Excess Weight

We should strive to make vehicles more “streamlined”. This can be done effortlessly by removing excess stuff that’s not necessary. Think an out of season ski/kayak/bike rack that’s not being used for 95% of car travel.

Also, try reducing the weight in the vehicle by taking out heavy equipment gathering dust in the boot or whatever it may be.

Use Websites and Apps to Locate Cheap Fuel

Inevitably, one is bound to need a fill up at some point. So the last recommendation is to fill up at the service stations with the lowest fuel prices. Avoid driving around town looking at all the large display signs of each gas station, because it’s just not economical. Use apps such as Fuel Map Australia and Petrol Spy Australia to compare the best local prices.

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.

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“Becoming familiar with the vehicle, and its braking distance by calculating stopping distances, will provide the driver with knowledge and experience that’s crucial when it comes to quick and safe reactions on the road,” says Lett. “This is a key factor to safe braking.”

He said it was also important to be aware of the importance of tyres when it comes to braking: “The brakes do not stop the car. They stop the wheels from turning, but it is the tyres’ grip on the road and the traction healthy tyres provide that brings the car to a halt.”

Reaction, Braking Time and Speed affect Stopping Time

The average person’s reaction time is estimated at 1.5/2 seconds, and that of older and less experienced drivers averages at 2.5 seconds. This difference already affects the time it takes to stop., at 50km/hour it will be 21m and that distance will lengthen considerably the higher the speed at which the car is travelling.

“Added to reaction time is braking time,” explains Lett. “From the point of pushing the brake pedal, the braking distance is averaged at 4m for 10km/h. To work out what the stopping distance would be, take a medium sized car that is travelling at a speed of 60km/h on a dry road and it will have a reaction distance of 25m. Add 20m for the braking distance and the total stopping distance is 45m. At 100km/h the reaction distance is 42m, braking distance 56m and stopping distance is 98m.

On a wet road at 60km/h the reaction distance remains 25m, but the braking distance increases to 29m and the total stopping distance becomes 54m. At 100km/h, the reaction distance remains 42m, the braking distance increases to 80mm and the total stopping distance is 122m. This makes it extremely important to follow the rule of safe travelling distances between vehicles.”

Factors influencing braking distance

“Worn, under or over inflated tyres cause a loss of grip on the road and regardless of the quality of brakes, could cause the driver to lose control, and the vehicle to slide,” cautions Lett. “This makes it extremely important to constantly maintain the tyres, and replace them when necessary.”

Other factors are worn braking, suspension systems, and worn shock absorbers and springs which could change the vehicle’s centre of gravity and tilt the weight of the vehicle onto the front wheels, so causing lack of control of the vehicle when braking sharply. Distractions and road conditions also play a role in affecting the driver’s ability to respond quickly and safely.”

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

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