Tyre tread may seem like a fairly basic concept: roughen up the surface of the rubber and it gets a better grip. But a great deal of innovation and scientific thought has gone into developing the tyre treads that are seen today. “It’s a surprisingly interesting topic,” says Chris Lett, Gold Coast tyre specialist and a man whose love for cars spans a lifetime of auto-engineering know-how.

“In 1905, when the first tyre treads appeared, they were just there to protect the tyre carcass by keeping it out of contact with the road. But over the years, the potential for tyre tread to do much more than that has been explored quite thoroughly, and it won’t be surprising if the future brings even more improvements.”

Modern Tyre Tread Types Explained

Chris explains that though there are many variations on the theme, modern tyre treads can be broadly categorised into three types: symmetrical treads, asymmetrical treads, and directional treads. “Each of them has its own benefits,” says Chris.

Symmetrical treads are the same across the entire width of the tyre. They drive smoothly, offer excellent directional stability, and have low rolling resistance.

Asymmetrical treads use a different pattern on the inside and outside of the tyre. The inner part of the tread is designed to displace water and provides improved protection against aquaplaning. The outer part is designed for traction and also for lower road noise. “They look a little odd,” says Chris, “but they’re a popular choice for high-performance cars.”

Directional treads are designed for one direction of travel. They’re easy to spot because of their V-shaped grooves which not only displace water to reduce the chance of aquaplaning in wet conditions, but also provide extra traction in the dry.

How to Choose

There are no real right or wrong answers when it comes to choosing a tread pattern. Chris recommends symmetrical treads for the budget-conscious: “It’s possible to extend tyre lifespan by rotating the tyres more effectively,” says Chris “because anything goes, and the tread ensures fuel savings and a nice, smooth ride.”

Directional tyres are the best for driving in mud and on wet roads. However, Chris points out that unless motorists tend to drive rather fast in wet conditions or frequently drive on very slippery and muddy roads, they’ll be perfectly safe with non-directional tyre treads. “The same is true of asymmetrical treads. If people are worried about aquaplaning or sliding out in the wet, they do provide better traction and cornering, but with careful driving in adverse road conditions, symmetrical treads will have more than adequate road-holding.”

When choosing tyre treads, matching them across axles is important. “Different tread patterns can be used between front and rear, but not on the same axle,” Chris notes. “It makes sense. Different tread patterns are designed to do different things, and they definitely weren’t designed to work in unison with other tread patterns.”

Enough Tread is More Important than Which Tread

“The most important thing about tread,” says Chris, is making sure that there is enough of it! Worn tyres can double stopping distances, and drivers are far more likely to lose control of the vehicle.” Accident statistics from around the world include some thought-provoking facts about tyres and road safety.

In Ireland, worn tyres are implicated in over 70 percent of road accidents that were caused by a mechanical failure. The AA cites an overall figure of 9 percent of accidents in the wet being caused by insufficient tread while 2 percent of dry weather accidents in the AA’s study involved cars with worn tyres. “So, before people get to work on deciding which tread their next set of tyres will have, they should take a look at their current tyres,” says Chris. “Enough tread is definitely more important than the type of tread. But even with the best tyres in the world, drive carefully in the wet. Slow down and arrive safely even if that means being a little late.”

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. 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.

Written and syndicated by: YDMA News, YDMA Group

“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.

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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.

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The Influence Behind Tyre Shopping

There are many things that influence a vehicle owner’s decision to buy new tyres or what they will look for. Quite often, a quick stop at the local tyre shop and a convenient selection of what is in stock or on special do the trick.

This is not always a bad thing, but to ensure a seamless (and safe) driving experience, there are things that definitely need to be considered before forking out on those black rubber hoops:

• Tyre safety and handling
• Road noise and comfort
• Tyre longevity and quality
• The driving terrain these tyres will be exposed to
• Price (obviously)
• Also, the type of driver a vehicle owner is

Key Requirements When Selecting Tyres

A vital aspect to consider when choosing new tyres is compatibility with the vehicle. The owner’s manual and documentation of a specific car will usually contain a list of compatible tyre types.

The key characteristics of the tyre on the vehicle can be found on its sidewall.

The same tyres will have to be placed on each wheel position too and are extremely important in maintaining performance and control.

The Meaning of the Codes on Tyres

On each tyre, there are a series of numbers and letters that may look like this: 195/55R/16/91H

Each of these digits/letters represents something different and provides vital information. When it comes to how to read tyre size, the first five digits of the code are the ones to concentrate on. The first three digits belong together and indicate the width of the tyre (in millimetres). In the example above, the tyre is 195mm wide. shares Chris.

The two digits following the first slash are what is known as the aspect ratio. Essentially this is the height of the tyre as a percentage of the width. “So, in the example, the tyre has an aspect ratio of 55, meaning the profile height is 55% of its total width (107.25mm),” shares Chris.

In closing, here are some Fast Facts to save for that next trip to the tyre shop:

• Check vehicle documentation for compatible tyre types.
• Tyre size is defined by width, diameter, and height-to-width aspect ratio.
• The load index indicates how much load a vehicle can support.
• The speed rating indicates the maximum speed the tyre is capable of.
• Fit the same model and make of tyre on all four-wheel positions.

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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Tyre noise can also be the result of underlying matters, such as abnormal tyre wear or even a broken belt. Branigans Budget Tyres expert and owner, Chris Lett suggests the five following pointers to solve the problem.

Check (And If Needed) Alter Door Seals

Door seals are the bulky, rubber gaskets that frame the car door. Should the door seals not be tightly installed, the vehicle door may not shut properly and the gap between the seal and the door may cause noise that comes from the road and not the tyres.

Checking the fitment of the seals will allow for the door to shut properly since the rattling of the vehicle sometimes causes them to loosen over time.

Regular Tyre Checks

No expertise required here. It’s easy to hop in a car and drive off, but routine inspections do go a long way. Instead of replacing tyres on the fly, apply a visual inspection of the tyres. Grab those rubber gloves and feel the wheel. Chris also says that “a good spin of the wheel helps to see how it rotates. I usually start with the rear ones.”

“To take things to the next level, I would switch up tyres, by bringing the back ones to the front and vice versa, but treads must be even,” Chris adds.

Soundproof Car Cabin Floor

The cabin floors of a vehicle and the interior of the car itself can be significantly affected by the tyre gears where the transmission of tyre noise happens. The best way forward is to soundproof the cabin floor of the vehicle. Thick rugs with a rubber base that allows for sound absorption helps a lot to fade out tyre noise.

Soundproof Car Doors

If there is no issue with the doors of the car and the cabin floor has been soundproofed, there is more that can be done to shut out tyre noise.

There is quite a process to this, but the best material to use to mute most of the ambient noise would be the Noico 80 mil Sound Deadening Mat. This is an excellent material that eliminates noise and rattles. For heat & cool insulation, closed-cell foam liner material that is designed specifically for thermal insulation of the vehicle may work better.

Make Sure Tyres are Fully Inflated

Underinflated tyres can make more noise because they have a much larger contact range with the surface of the road. Making sure that tyres are fully inflated with the correct air pressure-volume is one of the easiest ways to reduce the tyre noise of a car. Better yet, properly inflated tyres do great things for gas mileage.

Each tyre’s pressure ought to be checked every month, and the best route to take would be when the tyres are still cold after being parked for a few hours or more.

Noisy tyres can be the result of many things, but thankfully, there are various solutions available to mitigate the problems at home. If not, there is always Branigans Tyres.

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

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Chris Lett, tyre expert, and owner of Branigans Budget Tyres, advises that tyre traction (among other factors) affects one’s ability to keep control when braking suddenly, and also impacts on the safety of doing so. So, in essence, the brakes of any vehicle bring turning wheels to a stop and apply the grip (and its traction) that brings the entire vehicle to a stop.

Not all tyres offer the same traction since they’re made for different environments and various weather and road conditions to ensure safety on roads.

“Tyres have a higher traction rating if they’ve got a good grip and don’t skid or slide. When it comes to choosing tyres with good wet traction, one needs to look at the tread patterns. These tread patterns that have deep grooves ensure that water is kept out from under the tyre avoiding hydroplaning due to improved wet traction ratings,” Lett says.

The type of tyres chosen for a vehicle is thus, greatly dependent on the environment and road conditions that the tyres will be subjected to. For example, dry traction is favoured in areas that don’t experience much rain whereas some vehicles may require tyres with traction suitable for wet and rainy weather or snow.

The Different Types of Tyres With Traction for Different Terrains

“Tyres are designed to withstand different weather and road conditions. It’s important to keep this in mind when selecting the right tyres for a vehicle,” Lett says.

For higher weather temperatures, summer tyres provide good grip in both wet and dry conditions. When temperatures decrease below 7 °C the tyres tend to experience loss of grip. This is when the tyres need to be changed to winter tyres that ensure an advanced grip as they’re more appropriate for wet or snowy weather conditions.

A combination of summer tyres and winter tyres are called all-season tyres and is the type of tyre that most vehicle owners opt for in moderate weather patterns and road conditions. In contrast to all-terrain selections, which provide excellent grip on different road conditions such as dirt roads or tar roads, to name a few. This is due to the tread patterns of all-terrain tyres being more robust in texture than those of all-season ones.

High-performance tyres are just that: They’re enhanced for high-speed passenger vehicles and deliver maximised grip. More recently, energy-saving options have also become more popular among drivers of passenger vehicles, especially since they can withstand dry, wet, and winter traction – and are kinder to the environment.

Keeping an Eye on Tyre Traction

Tyres play an important role in ensuring vehicle and road safety. For excellent tyre traction, the tyre tread needs to be observed to ensure that they’re not smoothed out. Smoothed out tyres can lead to accidents when they’re used in wet conditions and may also cause what is known as aquaplaning.

If the tread appears smooth it may be a good time to have those tyres checked out by an expert. At Branigans Tyres, nothing goes amiss. All second-hand tyres are carefully checked for their functional lifespan and are graded for age and tread before being sold to clients.

For assistance in finding the best tyres suited for any vehicle, Branigans Tyres is the way to go and as experts, they consider changes in weather and road conditions, as well as preferences based on personal driving styles.

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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Lett welcomes the recent developments in tyre recycling brought about by car and tyre manufacturers as well as recycling and environmental organisations.

“This could at last vastly reduce the problem, or even put an end to the huge number of tyres which are left on the side of the road, or find their way into landfills, where their bulk, resilience, and fire risk provide a safety threat, the toxins they leach into the soil, and there’s unnecessary waste of reusable and valuable materials,” Lett says.

The Many Varied Ways of Recycling Tyres

He says that as concern rose about the size of the problem, and the environmental hazards inherent in tyre waste disposal, various solutions have been suggested. They have ranged from gardening and home ideas to attempts to get rid of old tyres by burning them, as well as ongoing investigations into how the materials used in their manufacture could be changed, or recovered for re-use, and the resultant development of increasingly powerful chipping and shredding machines.

The creative homeowners and crafters who came up with designs for tyre re-usage, set a trend for a while by restructuring them as garden pots, swings, bases for patio tables and ottomans. However, these made only a tiny dent in the number of dumped tyres, according to Lett. Attempts to burn them were also unsuccessful because of the months it could take to put out the fires, and tyres’ tendency to smoulder for years.

The Two ways to Dispose of Used Tyres

Lett, who has been recycling tyres for the past 15 years at Branigans Tyres in Burleigh Heads, Queensland, has been doing it in his own way. Where possible he recovers nearly new tyres carrying well-known brands, and tests and grades them according to the amount of road life they still have ahead.

“When it comes to recycling tyres, there are really only two ways to go. The first is to send the used tyres to recycling companies where they are chipped and broken down, or shredded, for use as fillers in construction, railway and road development, where they improve the grip and lower the sound or as mulch.

“The second is sorting, testing and grading tyres to determine how much life is left in them and seeing how this can be utilised. Those which meet the standards required in Australia, can return to the road, but the only way to extend their life if they don’t meet those requirements, is to ship them to third world countries where they would meet the standards, and at the same time help those who cannot afford the cost of new tyres to return to the road with more safety,” he says.

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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No Spare but Some Savings

Lett says that with the introduction of stricter CO2 standards, manufacturers have been challenged with reducing vehicle emissions, and have been forced to come up with some innovative changes. Reducing the weight of the vehicles by disposing of spare tyres (and their follow-ups), as well as the tools supplied to fit them, was just one of them.

Ridding the car of all of these does reduce CO2 emissions as well as fuel consumption, but by very small amounts, Lett said. It also opens up space in the car, which would have been taken up by the spare and the tools. And all that replaces it is a repair kit, and a lack of security in the driver.

Looking at the Different Types of Spare Tyres

“ It’s legal and quite possible but not necessarily cheap for an owner to buy a spare wheel or tyre to bring back that sense of safety and security should he or she find themselves sitting on the side of the road. But it’s important that any spare tyre bought independently is the right one for the car,” he said. “The buyer must take this perfect match into account when buying a spare for a new vehicle, as the added cost involved or difficulty in finding a suitable spare might even influence their choice of which vehicle they want to buy.”

Space-saver spare wheel: A space-saver spare wheel is an emergency spare wheel and tyre which is lighter and smaller than a full-size spare, but can be used until the damaged tyre is repaired. “It’s safe and effective if driven no faster than 50mph (80 km/h) for a maximum distance of about 50 miles. But it’s important to keep in mind that the safety and performance of the vehicle will be compromised, so the wheel should be replaced as soon as possible,” says Lett.

Run-flat tyres: These tyres have a reinforced sidewall that allows for continuing to drive on the damaged tyre for up to 50 miles provided that’s done at reduced speed. Lett says these

are a popular choice because of the convenience of not having to stop to replace the damaged tyre. However, he does caution that they are limited to only being able to handle minor tyre damage, and have a shorter life span of around 6000 miles.

Tyre repair kit: Most vehicles now come with a tyre repair kit as the only resource for when a drive is curtailed by tyre problems. This consists of a bottle of sealant and an electric compressor, which according to Lett is not ideal. He says the sealant does not work on larger leaks, and the adhesive makes it difficult to repair the tyre fully, but it will cover most minor punctures.

Speaking to an expert about spare tyres will ensure the right advice, and contacting Chris Lett, owner of Branigans Tyres, is the ideal way to get it for those who live in Queensland. Branigans Tyres offers top quality, hardly-used second hand tyres at less than half the price of new ones, and he’s been doing so for more than 15 years.

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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“Asking questions and doing some research is the best way to lessen the chances of walking into a tyre outlet intent on only replacing one or two tyres, but leaving having replaced all four tyres (and the spare tyre, if there is one),” Lett said.

Knowing When to Repair or Replace Tyres

However, he said it’s important that customers don’t reject all advice and recommendations, thinking they may be aimed at bigger sales. As an example, he says that most punctures repaired with a plug can last up to 10 years if properly done, but this isn’t always an option and the tyre or tyres may have to be replaced.

“If a puncture is larger than 6mm, is on the wall or shoulder of the tyre, or if there are bulges, cracks or discoloration on the sidewall, repairing will not be possible. And If the tread is worn below the legal tread limit of 1.5mm or the tyres are 10 years or older, even if they still look fine, the rubber will have deteriorated, and the structure will have become compromised”.

Avoiding extras

“Often pressure is put on the customer to do a brake replacement, oil change or service at the same time as a tyre repair or replacement. This may not be necessary, and it is best to follow the service schedule provided by the manufacturer in the owners’ manual,” says Lett.

“When it comes to wheel alignment, some dealers offer complimentary alignment, mounting and fitting, but most don’t. It is not necessary for an alignment to be done if all four tyres are replaced. However, if only one or two are replaced, it certainly is necessary for the older tyres to be balanced with the new ones.”

If in need of a tyre replacement or repair, speak to tyre expert Chris Lett, owner of Branigans Tyres in Queensland. They offer hardly-used, top quality recycled tyres at less than half the cost of new ones.

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.