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.

Z-Tyres’ Limited Edition Gold-Plated Tyres

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

Letourneau L-2350 Front-loader Tyres

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

Caterpillar 797 Dump Truck Tyres

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

Bugatti Veyron Tyres

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

Space Shuttle Tyres

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

If Tyres Seem Expensive, Check out Branigans

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

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

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

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

1. Tyre Pressure Checks 

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

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

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

2. Wheel Balancing, Wheel Rotation, and Wheel Alignment

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

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

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

3. Bonus Tips for Extending Tyre Life

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

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

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

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

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

Tyres don’t come cheap and knowing a few things about these babies will go a long way. That way, one can expect maximum performance and longevity from the tyres on a car.

• Fact #1 – The inscriptions on the sidewall of a tyre indicates the maximum pressure value. In a car, one should refer to the inner side of the door where the recommended tyre pressure value is mentioned. In this case, the recommended tyre pressure for the front and rear is 35 and 32 PSI respectively.

• Fact #2 – Chris also wanted to crack the myth about valve caps by saying that “valve caps do not prevent the tyre from losing air but are present to keep dust, water and mud from entering the valve and cause air loss.”

• Fact #3 – With low tyre pressure, the tread or grooves gets shut, or the gaps between the groove or tread become less and do not deliver optimum water discharge. As a result, the car could lock up and skid even more.

• Fact #4 – The tyre heats up when PSI is reduced which causes the tyre wall to flex or bend. It is imperative to maintain the company-recommended PSI even during the summer months.

• Fact #5 – During winter, one should look at increasing tyre pressure by 2 PSI for every three to four-degree drop in temperature. This is because the pressure of the tyre decreases by 1 PSI for every such drop in temperature and can shorten the life of the tyre and can lead to serious safety hazards.

• Fact #6 – Tyre patterns aren’t just there for aesthetic purposes. While a tyre’s tread pattern plays a key part in appearance, “its major role is actually to discharge water on wet surfaces, ” adds Chris.

• Fact #7 – The exterior surfaces of the sidewall and tread of the tyre can give only a hint about the tyre compound as there are many other layers beneath the exterior surface that gives the tyre its hard or soft compound characteristics.

• Fact #8 – Winter tyres are not just required on snow or icy roads. A vehicle driving in a location where the temperature is below 10 degrees, it is suggested to opt for winter tyres as these tyres have a more optimal tread pattern in addition to special rubber that prevents them from getting stiff due to the cold.

• Fact #9 – Air pressure should be checked weekly as tyres lose pressure naturally.
• Fact #10 – Slick tyres provide better grip and handling only in dry conditions because of a larger contact patch with the road surface. That is why one sees Formula 1 and MotoGP machines making use of tyres with no tread pattern. It is not advisable to install these tyres on regular cars as the vehicle may lose traction very easily on a wet surface.

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.

To make sure they’re signing up for the right insurance policy, Lett says vehicle owners should be careful to read the small print in the policy documents carefully for exclusions, and following the agreement, owners should be sure to keep the car well maintained, and it’s insurer up to date in terms of its condition, or any repairs or changes that were made that were not connected to a claim. Otherwise, payouts may be withheld.

Why Tyres and Changes Can Squash the Payout

Lett says warn tyres are a big disqualifier. Not only are they dangerous but it will guarantee an unsuccessful claim, which is one of the reasons why it is so important to regularly check them and ensure they meet the legal tyre safety standards.

He said the insurers who refuse payout when tyres are badly worn, justify this by citing how these tyres can raise the risk of collision by lengthening braking distance, damaging other vital parts, and loosening the vehicle’s grip on the road which can make it more likely to crash, slide or roll, particularly in wet weather, all of which are a valid argument.

When it comes to changes made to cars, Lett says: “Most owners don’t realise that modifications to the vehicle such as a repaint job, can also cause a claim to be rejected, as the vehicle is not the same vehicle that the insurer originally agreed to cover.” Lett advises checking with the insurer before making any changes to the vehicle.

Sometimes Vehicle Owners Don’t Have a Choice

To make sure the insurance taken out is the right one, vehicle owners do have a number of possible choices. But not when it comes to Comprehensive Third Party (or Green Slip insurance). All Australian car owners are required to have this, no matter which state they live in. CTP protects the driver from financial liability by covering the third parties involved if there’s an accident which results in injury.

This includes passengers in the insured vehicle as well as other drivers, motorcyclists, cyclists, pedestrians (and any passengers they have), and all those travelling on public transport. Depending on the assessment of the claim, CTP may cover a number of costs such as general damages (pain and suffering), rehabilitation, care costs, loss of income, medical treatment, funeral costs, and even financial support for the surviving spouse, partner or dependents in the event of a fatal crash.

However, as CTP does not cover vehicle and property damage, which can run into thousands, come into their thousands, Chris Lett of Branigans Tyres in Queensland, suggests motorists investigate having additional insurance to ensure peace of mind in such a situation.

Choosing an Additional Insurance

“The best option is the one that fits the vehicle owner’s needs the best,” explains Lett. Comprehensive car insurance, which offers the most protection, covers any vehicle damage caused by collision, malicious actions, theft, or weather, but it is also the most costly in terms of premiums, and therefore might not be warranted if the vehicle is old.

This leaves Third Party Property Only, which, as its name suggests, covers only damage to the other vehicle or property, but not the policy owner’s. Fire and Theft Only policies cover the policy owner’s vehicle for fire damage and theft, but there is no cover included for damage caused in a collision.

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.

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