“There are a lot of benefits in using nearly new tyres,” says Chris. “Because Branigans is able to source them at lower prices, it’s possible to pass the savings on to customers. The result is that they often get better tyres than they could otherwise have been able to afford. There’s also the environmental aspect. Branigans recycles old tyres that are no longer useable, but recycling something that still has a long useful life ahead of it isn’t environmentally sound. Using it, on the other hand, means a greener, less emissions-intensive product.”

Safety First

Many people may wonder if used tyres are safe. “If someone just bought brand new tyres and drove the car round the block, its tyres have been used,” Chris points out. “They’re nearly new, but not new. But that doesn’t mean they’re unsafe and that the driver should get new tyres every time he or she takes their car for a short drive.”

“Branigans inspects all the used tyres it receives very carefully. The tread should be good enough to give plenty of worry-free kilometres, and technicians carefully check for any signs of defects or damage. On very rare occasions, they might miss a pinhole-sized puncture. It will manifest as a slow leak, and the driver will pick up the problem within the week. If that happens, Branigans replaces the tyre at no cost. From a safety perspective, a puncture that small won’t easily turn into a blowout. The customer still gets to save on tyres, and there’s no safety-related trade-off.”

Only the Best for Branigans Customers

With so many used tyres from around Australia ending up in Branigans hands, Chris can afford to cherry pick only the best ones for his customers. 

“Branigans can grade tyres in such a way that only those with hardly any wear go to its outlets. Tyres that don’t make the Branigans top grade go for recycling or are exported to countries where the roads are so rough that a tyre with enough tread for short-term road safety is all that’s needed. If drivers know that their tyres will only last a couple of months owing to bad road conditions, there’s just no point in buying a brand new tyre or one with enough tread to last a year or more. Once again, Branigans Tyres’ end-users, this time in far-away countries, benefit from lower prices without sacrificing road safety.”

Economy Meets Service

Back home in Australia, Chris’s customers are experiencing cost savings coupled with his team’s dedication to excellent service. “No business should have absentee managers. At Branigans, getting out on the workshop floor, doing whatever’s necessary to keep waiting times to a minimum, and ensuring that customers get service that’s both efficient and friendly is all in a days’ work,” says Chris.

The company also trains its staff to exceed expectations. “Whether it’s spotting worn brake pads, a loose exhaust pipe, or signs of misaligned wheels, Branigans’ staff performs a visual inspection while cars are up on the lift. It’s little extras like this that add value, keep customers coming back and builds the relationship that gives them the confidence to recommend Branigans to friends and family. Low prices are just the cherry on the top.”

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.

Australian Tyres Must Have the Following Markings

Traceability is important. Therefore, manufacturers are required to display their name in print on the sidewall of tyres. Beyond that, the specifications for use and tyre size ensure that replacements will match the specifications for any particular vehicle. A serial number indicates where and when the tyre was made and specific variants, for example, radial or tubeless tyres are also indicated. Over and above that, the country in which the tyres originated, the mould number and a specific factor code number are also printed on the tyre.

How to Read Tyre Specification Codes

The first part of the code is a single letter. For most people, that would be a “P” for “passenger vehicle.” “C” denotes a commercial vehicle and “LT” stands for light truck. 

The number following the first letter of the code indicates the width of the tyre measured in millimetres. A backslash separates this number from the following one which is termed “aspect ratio.” It indicates the percentage of width when compared to the height of the sidewall. 

98 percent of tyres will display the letter ‘R’ next in the code. It stands for radial ply, and it’s one of the biggest advances in tyre technology. Steel belts run radially across the tyre and they make tyres tougher while improving fuel efficiency.

The number after that indicates the diameter of the wheel rim, and it’s still given in inches, while the final number of the code we’re cracking shows the load index. It’s followed by the speed rating indicated by a letter T, H, or V which shows the speed that a tyre can safely be driven at. Suffice to say that this speed is higher than any speed that one can legally drive at! H and V tyres are regarded as “performance touring tyres” and handle the highest speeds. 

How to See Your Tyres’ Age

All that’s left now is the fine print right on the edge of the sidewall nearest the rim. It expresses the date of manufacture by showing the week number and the last two figures of the year of manufacture. So, if this code reads 1420, for example, it was made in the 14th week of 2020. If a vehicle owner doesn’t drive their car much, they should check this number. Most tyre makers say that tyres should be replaced by the time they’re 10 years old, regardless of how good the tread still is. 

Practical Info Worth Understanding

“The codes on tyres are worth understanding,” says Chris. “If you’re shopping around for new tyres, the tyre specification code helps you to get an exact quote on tyre pricing. And if you have old tyres, manufacture dates will give you an indication of whether they’re still safe to use.”

“When in doubt, give Branigans a call. It’s a business that prides itself on being there for its customers, so whether it’s a question about tyres and tyre health or getting a quote for new tyres, a technician will be on hand to help.”

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.

“Poor wheel alignment makes a vehicle harder to handle, and poor handling can cause accidents,” he explains. 

Wheel alignment is simply a matter of ensuring that all the wheels work together because they’re all adjusted to the right angle in relation to the car. Apart from making driving pleasanter and safer, proper wheel alignment also helps to extend the lifespan of tyres. 

Symptoms of Poor Wheel Alignment

An alert driver can quickly pick up the symptoms that indicate the need for correction of wheel alignment. According to Mr Lett, people will notice uncomfortable vibration when driving. And, because the wheels direct the trajectory of the car, they may find that they keep having to adjust the steering, even when they’re travelling on a completely straight stretch of road. 

“If it’s very bad, they’ll feel like they’re fighting the vehicle all the time,” says Lett. “It keeps pulling to one side and it’s harder to keep the car from wandering off in its own direction.”

If a driver is still not sure, they can watch how the steering wheel behaves after cornering. The steering wheel should return to a central position after turning. 

If someone has been driving with poor wheel alignment for some time, they’ll see the evidence on the tyres. Uneven tyre wear is a strong indication that they’ve already passed the time when wheel alignment should have been seen to.

Average Frequency for Wheel Alignment

With smooth driving on tarred roads, a car’s wheels may only need alignment every two to three years. But, warns Chris, one may need to have it seen to more frequently. A single nasty bump, such as the kind a driver gets when they hit a pothole or curbstone, could be enough to knock the wheels out of kilter. “Naturally, the same applies if your vehicle has experienced some kind of impact or accident, and if you’re driving on rough roads, you may even need to attend to wheel alignment in less than a year from the last time it was done.”

Branigans is fully equipped to attend to all its clients’ wheel and tyre related needs, and Mr Lett recommends enquiring about wheel alignment whenever they replace or repair a tyre. “Branigans staff will often notice signs of incorrect wheel alignment and alert motorists to the need for an adjustment,” he says. “Nevertheless, it doesn’t hurt to ask.” 

Attending to Wheel Alignment is a Cost-Saver

Apart from the fact that better handling could mean the difference between avoiding an accident and actually having one, there are plenty of cost-savings related to having the wheel alignment tweaked when necessary. To begin with, the tyres and suspension will last longer – and the vehicle will be more fuel-efficient. “You could lose around 7 percent in fuel efficiency if your wheels aren’t properly aligned,” says Lett. 

All in all, it makes good sense to have a car’s wheel alignment checked, and the more often the car is driven, the further it’s driven, and the rougher driving conditions faced, the more frequently it should be done. 

“Branigans is here to take care of its clients,” says Chris. “The team will be happy to show you why they think you should go for a wheel alignment. It’s not an overly pricey or time-consuming exercise, and the benefits far outweigh the costs.”

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.