With that piece of advice duly noted, it’s time to look at the fun and useful things that can be made with old tyres. “Do be careful,” says Chris “especially with projects that require cutting of tyres – they’re pretty tough, and a slip could result in a nasty accident. Use a heavy-duty drywall knife or utility knife to slice the rubber, and when encountering steel reinforcing wires, use a hacksaw.”

Playground Equipment

Old tyres have long been a standby for making playground equipment. From tyre obstacle courses to swings and jungle gyms, all it takes is some ingenuity, a few bright paint colours, some wooden poles, and a few fasteners. “Remember to make some holes for water drainage,” says Chris “and use strong fasteners so that there are no accidents.”

Whether it’s tyre play equipment made to swing, scramble, jump, or climb, most people will have fond memories of old tyre playgrounds. There are some super-creative ideas out there, so it’s possible to have plenty of fun deciding what to make. 

Hose Caddy

While making a hose caddy might not be as amusing as planning a full adventure playground, it’s a handy project that will save people from tripping over hose pipes in the yard. “A lot of people use old wheel rims as hose caddies,” says Chris, “but a hose pipe can be wound up inside an old tyre too. Just cut off the tyre’s sidewalls and add an optional layer of paint to pretty it up.”

Tyre Walls and Staircases

It’s possible to use old tyres in the same way as the blocks from which retaining walls are made, building staircases or walls depending on personal needs. “It is probably unwise to use tyre retaining walls on the steepest sites,” says Chris, “but they’re very good for stabilising slightly gentler slopes. When building staircases, DIYers may need some wood or steel droppers to help keep the tyres in place despite erosion and traffic, but they can be quite effective and look good.”

Pretty or Practical Planters

Most people will know that one can grow a good crop of potatoes in tyres, piling them up and filling in with soil as the potato plants grow for a bigger harvest. Paint the tyres and mount them on a garden wall, and an unusual and attractive vertical garden can be created. The stacked tyres trick can be quite attractive when using painted tyres, or one can get even more creative and cut them into interesting shapes. 

Even Indoor Furniture: Get Imaginative

Depending on how much time homeowners have on their hands and how imaginative they are, there are tons of things to make from old tyres. “It’s incredible what people dream up,” says Chris. “There are quite attractive-looking chairs, coffee tables, and ottomans made of old tyres. People paint them, glue rope around them to make them look like woven baskets, and turn them into all kinds of furnishings for use both indoors and out.”

Repurposing Tyres is Fun and Green

Branigans Tyres disposes of old tyres using the most environmentally friendly methods possible, but Chris admits that repurposing old tyres offers the most room for fun and creativity. “If people have a bright idea for reusing old tyres, they should go ahead! It would be great if they would share their pictures with Branigans on social media and inspire the community. Being ‘green’ can be more fun than most people realised!”

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.

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.

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

Early Cars: A Rough, Slow, but Exciting Journey

Early cars certainly weren’t comfortable. Shock absorbers were only invented at the start of the twentieth century, and pneumatic tyres, though patented in 1845, only became practical in 1888. “It’s probably fortunate that most early cars didn’t go particularly fast,” says Chris. “The combination of poor roads, hard wheels, and no suspension would have made for a bone-shaking ride. Nevertheless, it must have been hugely exciting to experience the advent of self-propelled vehicles.”

The history of cars is peppered with weird and wonderful snippets of information. For instance, electric cars were early contenders, but they quickly faded from the scene owing to their short battery life and the sheer size and weight of the batteries. After that, the debate between steam and electric power became, quite literally, heated with each camp saying that the other’s preferred type of engine was likely to explode. 

In truth, the chance of either engine exploding was quite low, but the thought must have added a bit of fear-factor for passengers and drivers. The internal combustion engine eventually won out, if only because it could be started and driven right away, instead of needing the half hour it took for boilers to be heated and gain enough pressure to power the vehicle. 

The Wheels Keep Turning: a More Comfortable Ride

Necessity is the mother of invention, and with self-propelled vehicles taking to the roads and going progressively faster, the development of wheels, tyres, and suspension for a more comfortable ride would keep pace with the new technology. 

Charles Goodyear was the first to discover vulcanised rubber, which made the material better able to withstand exposure to the elements, and soon after, Robert Thomson patented a leather-covered tyre containing a bundle of “inner tubes.” It never went into production, and it would be over 40 years before John Dunlop invented the basics of the pneumatic bicycle tyres we know today. 

Tyre technology still needed a further step in its development before it would be suitable for use on automobiles. Andre and Edouard Michelin became the inventors of the world’s first pneumatic car tyres thanks to their development of a detachable tyre in 1891 and the company formed by the brothers invented the first radial tyres in 1946. “Radial tyres were a huge leap forward,” explains Chris. “They made a big difference to the handling and fuel efficiency of cars. Bias tyres still exist, but radials are by far the most popular.”

Cars of the Present and Future

It’s a huge jump from the debate between steam power and internal combustion to today’s move towards electric and hybrid cars. Most people don’t even realise that electric cars were around before there were internal combustion engines. However, there is now technology to make electric cars practical, and that technology has only recently become available.

Motorists have changed too. From simply being delighted by the ‘miracle’ of a vehicle that could power itself along to expecting fuel efficiency, comfort, and high-tech features, car owners expect more of their vehicles than ever before. 

As in the past, tyres are changing too. “Run flat tyres that can hold up for a while despite being punctured are a relatively new development.” says Chris. “Now, tyre makers are looking at eliminating flat tyres altogether, making tyres with longer-lasting tread, and reducing the environmental impact of tyres.”

At Branigans, Chris is doing his bit. Although he isn’t working on the latest tyre designs, he’s making sure that end-of-life tyres don’t end up in landfills and that perfectly good tyres don’t get discarded. “It’s not what the latest advances are targeting,” says Chris, “but being kind to the environment is something that can be done now while we wait for the new materials, designs, and ideas that will be keeping folks on the road in decades to come.”

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.

“Branigans specialises in tyres,” says owner, Chris Lett. “There’s much more to tyres than most people know. The website strives to share interesting and useful information that will help consumers to get the most out of their motoring experience, and particularly their tyres.”

Understanding Tyres is the First Step Towards Understanding One’s Car

To some, understanding the inner-workings of engines or the new technologies that turn ordinary cars into “smart” cars may seem like the most important things to know, but Chris says that understanding one’s car begins with the wheels themselves. 

“Your wheels and tyres have a major role to play in everything from fuel economy to the comfort of your ride,” says Chris “and although they might look simple, a lot of high-level technology goes into producing them. Even tyre treads are fascinating. There’s way more to tread design than just a few grooves and squiggly lines. Then there’s the whole construction of tyres – including the parts you don’t see. You probably don’t need to know everything about tyres, but if you want to understand your car, wheels and tyres are a good place to start. The Branigans website tells you what you need to know and more.”

A Resource for the Motoring Community

Branigan Tyres has taken its new website to the next level as a resource for the motoring community, says Chris. It could be just a matter of telling people what Brangans does and how to find the stores, but the family business decided to create a resource base that offers interesting and informative reads for its customers. 

“Maybe you’re getting ready for a long trip and want to get a checklist for preparing your car. Or perhaps you’re wondering whether it’s worth following the trend towards nitrogen in tyres instead of using compressed air. Whatever you want to know about your wheels, Branigans has the information. You could ask a Branigans technician, or you can visit the website – you may even find answers to some questions that never occurred to you because you never really thought about your tyres before.”

Basics and Beyond

There are a few basics that absolutely everyone needs to know about their wheels and tyres – like how much tread they should have or how to recognise wheel balancing and alignment issues. Tyre rotation, a basic maintenance task that helps to extend tyre life, is among these basics, though the importance of having it done is often overlooked. But apart from telling folks about tyres, Branigans hopes to contribute towards a better overall motoring experience for its Southport and Burleigh Heads clients.

“Branigans works for its community, and sharing information is part of that,” says Chris. “Readers will soon see even more knowledge base resources appearing on the website. It’s a work in progress. Informed consumers are empowered consumers, and providing that information is part of what Branigans does.”

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.

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.

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

This article takes a closer look at some of the unethical practices uncovered in the South African investigation with the intention of helping consumers to spot possible upselling tactics they neither want nor need. 

Punctures That Can’t be Repaired

Puncture repair is cheap. Buying a new tyre isn’t. The best way to know whether the person who is telling someone a puncture can’t be repaired is being truthful is to know a bit about tyres, says Chris. 

“No tyre business should agree to repair a puncture if it’s located on the tyre’s sidewall or shoulder,” says Chris. “The tyre will be unsafe, and the repair won’t last.”  Other circumstances in which replacing a punctured tyre is recommended would include it having too little tread or a puncture that is too large for patching. “If a hole in a tyre is around 6mm big, it can’t really be repaired in a safe way, and it’s better to replace the tyre.”

Claims That all Four Tyres Must Match

Whether it’s from ignorance on the salespeople’s part or the less excusable intention of making as much money as possible off a customer, the practice of insisting that all four tyres must be replaced after one has been damaged is questionable. Chris weighs in.

“Four tyres of exactly the same tread pattern and brand will certainly ensure optimum performance,” he says. “Many tyre makers recommend it for this reason, but there’s a distinction between ‘necessary’ and ‘nice.’ It’s certainly necessary for tyres across any one axle to be the same, but it’s not strictly necessary for all four tyres to match unless you’re driving a very specialised vehicle. So, on an ordinary sedan, you might find that you need to replace two tyres instead of one, but replacing all four isn’t a must provided that there’s sufficient tread.”

Hidden Charges 

Branigans Tyres includes wheel balancing in tyre prices, but some workshops might charge extra for balancing. It’s a necessary part of the job of switching tyres, but an additional cost for wheel balancing can make the difference between a good deal and a bad one. 

“Fortunately, most workshops will include balancing in the cost of tyres as we do. After all, if someone is buying a tyre, it’s safe to assume that they want it fitted too,” says Chris. “However, it’s a smart idea to ask whether wheel balancing is included in prices you’re quoted just to be on the safe side. If it isn’t, the cost of getting your tyres working for you might spoil what would otherwise have been a reasonably-priced transaction.”

A Hard Sell on Wheel Alignment and Brakes

Chris doesn’t believe that a need for wheel alignment or brake repairs are subject to sales tactics. One either needs them, or one doesn’t, and the evidence is visible on the car’s tyres or brake components. However, he concedes that salespeople eager to reach targets could exaggerate these needs. 

“Once again, being an informed consumer protects you,” says Chris. “At Branigans, we always show our clients the reasons for our recommendations. If wheel alignment is bad, it shows on tyre wear. You probably won’t need wheel alignment every time you replace tyres, but if the signs are there, your workshop should be willing to point them out to you.”

“The same goes for brakes. We do repair them, although it’s not part of our core business offering, and you will need an appointment. Our technicians are trained to check brake components, and they’ll point out any wear and tear to the vehicle’s driver. After that, it’s up to him whether he wants to make an appointment with us or go elsewhere for repairs. To us, it’s about safety, rather than sales, and we’ve had some very satisfied customers reporting that we saved them from costly repairs by pointing out wear.”

Steering Clear of Questionable Tyre Sales Tactics: The Bottom Line

In conclusion, Chris says that getting the fairest deals on tyres is about being informed. “If you feel uncomfortable with your customer experience, feel that you’re being pressured, or believe that salespeople are using scare tactics to make you spend more than you should, get a second opinion.” 

It’s also worth building relationships. “At Branigans, we pride ourselves in taking care of our customers’ interests. The family business safeguards its reputation for fairness, quality, and open-cards dealings, and it’s one of the main reasons why customers give Branigans their loyalty and refer their friends. Sure, the prices are good too – but it’s quality and integrity that matter most.”

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.

According to Chris Lett, a man who has been in the business of tyres for nearly two decades, there are several points to consider when deciding whether to go for big brand names. “There’s a lot of science involved in designing good tyres. To a certain extent, that affects the price tag, but there are many who share the opinion that at least some of the price is based on reputation rather than practical benefits,” he says. 

“At the same time, choosing certain top brands does mean that you have the benefit of a great deal of research and top technological advances, and Branigans tyres is often able to offer nearly-new, safety checked high-end tyre brands for much less than consumers would expect.”

What the Best Brands Offer

“The first thing to remember,” says Chris, “is that even the cheapest tyres, usually imports from China, are compliant with safety and quality standards. If they weren’t, nobody would import them, and nobody would be allowed to sell them. If your tyres are worn and your budget is tight, it’s better to get cheap, compliant tyres than to hold out until you can afford an expensive brand. It’s a simple matter of safety.”

“The best brands gained their position by exceeding requirements, rather than simply meeting them. Most of them will last longer, offer enhanced traction and handling, reduced rolling resistance (which reduces fuel consumption), and less road noise. These are all attractive qualities but not necessarily ones that will grant noticeable benefits to all motorists.”

No Surprises on Top Brands List

The brand names that are consistently rated well in various reports will be well-known to most people. Michelin is consistently praised by people in the know as are Pirelli, Goodyear, and Bridgestone. Continental is often seen as being among the top tyre brands, and so are Cooper, Yokohama and Hankook. “Comparisons are difficult since so many tyre properties are context-related, and putting a price tag on those benefits is even more difficult,” says Chris. “However, Michelin is a personal favourite thanks to its innovative history, rugged construction, reliable traction, and a tendency to even tyre wear in challenging conditions.”

Getting Tyres for Less

Despite all this, the question of whether it’s worth splashing out on top tyre brands is one that can’t be answered as easily as the question of which brands have the best reputation and offer the best performance. “It depends a lot on how much you drive,” says Chris. “For a typical suburbanite who doesn’t clock a lot of kilometres, expensive brands won’t necessarily be a better option. On the other hand, the more you drive, the greater the chance you’ll have of benefitting from advanced tyre technology.”

Whatever the customers decide is best for them, Chris is confident that they’ll pay less when they choose Branigans Tyres in Southport – or the Burleigh Heads branch if that’s more convenient. “There are times when Branigans has affordably-priced, big-name, nearly-new tyres with good tread that have passed all safety checks,” he says. “From a broader perspective, Branigans Tyres has what most motorists need at budget-friendly prices. If you’re set on specific brands, get in touch and find out what’s on offer. Making sure that our customers get suitable tyres at very reasonable prices is what Branigans does, and that’s what matters most to the majority of motorists.”

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.

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.

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

From the Wheels Up

Start by inspecting the tyres. “Look at the tread depth across the entire width of the tyre,” says Chris. The treads should have a depth of at least 1.5mm. This means that the car is compliant with road safety legislation, it will have better stopping power, and a better chance of staying in control, even in slippery road conditions. Drivers should also check the sidewalls of tyres – any odd-looking bulges mean there is a risk of a blowout.

If there are signs of uneven tyre wear, the wheel balancing and alignment of the care are probably less than ideal. If the treads are still deep enough, Branigans Tyres can help by switching existing tyres around, rebalancing them, and checking the wheel alignment. 

Battery Check, Belts, and Hoses

Chris is an experienced mechanic, so he doesn’t stop at the wheels and tyres his business specialises in. “Simply look under the bonnet and check your battery connections. They should be firmly attached with no signs of corrosion. If there is corrosion, the battery needs checking and cleaning. If you’re confident that you can do it yourself, go ahead. Alternatively, get help from a mechanic.”

“The belts and hoses should also be inspected to ensure that they aren’t worn. They’ll be working hard for you on your long road trip, so either check them out yourself, or get a trustworthy mechanic to take a look.”

Check the Car’s Fluids and Filters

Check the oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, power steering fluid, and coolant levels. If the oil is starting to look dirty, consider having the car serviced before racking up hundreds of kilometres. That way, the driver can be assured that all the necessary filters have been attended to and that the car’s ready to go. 

Even if the car is not taken for a full service, at the least the air filter should be checked out. If it isn’t clean, not only will more fuel will be used on the trip, but engine problems could be encountered along the way.

Check the Brakes

Apart from attending to tyres, Branigans is also happy to assist with brakes. “Being sure that the brakes aren’t worn before a long road trip is very important. Squeaks, squeals, and grinding noises are among the signs that the brakes need urgent attention, but there are more subtle signs too. For example, if the car tends to pull to one side when you stop suddenly, there’s cause for concern. You may feel vibration on the brake pedal, or it may seem softer than usual. Brake lights that come on for no apparent reason could also point towards an urgent need to attend to the brakes,” says Chris.

Look at the Lights

As a final, very straightforward road safety check before undertaking a long journey, get a family member to walk round the car while testing the indicators, brakes, and headlights. Apart from being in good working order, the covers should also be intact. “Your car won’t break down because your indicator light covers are cracked or broken, but you won’t be as safe on the road, and you could be in line for a hefty fine,” warns Chris. 

Ready to Go: Branigans Wishes Drivers a Great Trip

With the pre-trip checklist complete, it’s a matter of packing the bags and enjoying the journey. “It’s up to you now,” says Chris. “Branigans Tyres wishes you a safe journey to your destination and wonderful welcome when you return home.”

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.

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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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.

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He says that by rotating tyres, uneven and excessive tread wear is balanced out, and the lifespan of the tyre is preserved, saving car owners from the costly experience of prematurely replacing tyres that are badly worn on one side.

However, Lett says that rotating tyres is not always as simple as it sounds. There are a number of factors to consider, with the main one being that not all tyres can be rotated, so when thinking of attempting to rotate tyres at home, it’s well worth doing some research beforehand.

Types of Tyres that can be Rotated

Lett explains, “If the tyres are directional tyres, meaning the tread pattern is designed to work in only one direction, they can only be rotated between the front and back, but not swapped sideways across the car from left to right (or right to left), as this would mean the tread would be pointing in the wrong direction.

Non-directional tyres which are all the same size can be switched between front and back, from left to right, and even diagonally. In performance cars, which usually use staggered tyre sizes, with larger tyres at the back can only be rotated with a matching size, and therefore the switch can only be made from side to side.

Wheel size is also an important factor, according to Chris Lett. He says some vehicles have the same size tyres, but some have wheels with slightly different offsets, which again means they are not the same as those on the opposing end of the car. Lett says they can therefore only be rotated from side to side, and, once again, that is only if the tyres are not directional. The differences may not be noticeable to the eye, so checking the owner’s manual for the specs on wheel sizes is advisable.

How to Rotate Tyres

Lett advises that all tyres should be marked as they come off the wheel to avoid confusion later on. The process can be complicated and it is easy to lose track of which tyre came off which wheel.

“The simplest rotation is rotating the front and back tyres. This is done by placing a jack at the front and back wheels, and using the multiple jack points available on the vehicle as described in the owner’s manual.

Ensure the jacks are stable before removing the wheels by blocking the wheels that are still on the ground in order to prevent movement. If all four tyres are to be rotated, four jacks will be needed,” Lett says.

There are two rotation methods that can be applied, one of them more dangerous for those who are inexperienced. This involves raising the car on all four jacks and changing the tyres round with the vehicle off the ground. A more time consuming but less risky option is to raise and lower the car a few times to complete each rotation separately.

Rotating tyres can be complex. Speak to an expert to get the right advice. Visit or call Chris and his team for Second Hand Tyres Gold Coast |Branigans Budget Tyres at 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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