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.

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.

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.

“The older website was reasonable, but dated” says Chris, “and it didn’t have the visual appeal that’s needed to get people engaging with the content, no matter how good that might be. For a family business that relies on technical know-how and customer service, it also didn’t fully reflect the personality that has made Branigans such an important part of the Burleigh Heads and Southport motoring community.”

A Fresh Online Presence

No matter how old and established a business is, it’s important to keep pace with the times, and in these times, websites are often more important than storefronts in helping consumers to form an opinion of a business. Of course, this meant that skilled as he may be in all things car-related (Chris is a qualified auto engineer), professional web designers would be put to work. 

Fortunately for Chris, his business’s ardent supporters included the managing director of YDMA, a digital marketing company based in his area, so making the choice was easy. “The agency already knew and loved Branigans. They were impressed by the service they had received, and the excellent deals they were offered, and they were eager to help with the upliftment of the brand,” he says. “And since it’s their business to know what works in digital marketing just as Branigans knows what works with cars, choosing designers was an easy call. The results speak for themselves.”

More Reasons to Visit Both Website and Store

With the help of a little clever automation, the Branigans website now offers clients an opportunity to make appointments. Or, they can sign up for a cost-saving subscription that offers four tyres, wheel alignment, and wheel balancing annually. “Saving its customers time and money is important to Branigans,” says Chris, and the new website will help them to achieve both these goals.

There’s also a wide range of tips and information on tap. Find out about the reasons for road noise; know how to evaluate a tyres’ tread; discover fuel-saving tips; or recognise the symptoms of unbalanced or misaligned wheels. Knowledge is power, and Branigans new website puts the power in motorists’ hands. 

“All in all, Branigans is giving people even more reasons to visit its website and its workshops,” says Chris. “And since well-maintained wheels and tyres are so important to road safety, it’s offering a valuable source of free information that goes beyond the favourable pricing, guaranteed tyres, and fast service its workshops offer.”

Visit and See for Yourself

Jumping in the car and driving to the nearest Branigans outlet to get new tyres would certainly give one an inside view of the business, but most people start with an online search. Chris is happy that his brand-new website will give its visitors an overview of the business, helpful information, and a clear picture of how Branigans saves motorists money, both in terms of the cost of tyre replacements, and in the many benefits that flow from having good tyres, and well balanced and aligned wheels. 

“It’s more than just a good-looking, highly functional website,” says Chris. “It’s pure Branigans, and it demonstrates the advantages of choosing Branigans in far greater detail than you’d get from a casual visit. There will be regular updates, news, and automotive information: worth staying tuned, rather than just using it as a way to find out where Branigans is, or for contact details to get a quote. Visit it and see for yourself. Comments, compliments, and critique are all equally welcome.”

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.