Tyre Safety Month – Maintaining Tyres the Right Way for a Safer Journey
Motorists tend to focus more on mechanical vehicle checks when they’re about to set off on a road trip. They often forget to check that their tyres are in good condition, even though the performance of any vehicle is heavily reliant on the condition of the vehicle’s tyres.
During Tyre Safety Month, Branigans Tyres seek to remind all vehicle owners of the importance of practising good tyre maintenance habits. Tyres are the only contact a vehicle has with the road. “Overlooking their condition may prove to be dangerous, not only to the motorist but also to the passengers in the vehicle,” says the owner of Branigans Tyres, Chris Lett.
This article examines tyre maintenance practices that every vehicle owner needs to carry out, in order to meet Australia’s road safety standards and ensure a safer journey.
Properly inflated tyres – tyres that are neither over-inflated nor under-inflated
While one may be on a road trip, fuel efficiency is still a big deal for any motorist. But what motorists don’t realise is, that driving a vehicle with under-inflated tyres results in the vehicle wasting fuel. It also “contributes to the shortening of the tyre’s lifespan because the tyres wear unevenly,” explains Lett.
Over-inflated tyres not only contribute to tyre wear but also affects the vehicle’s ability to brake or steer properly.
Referring to the owner’s manual for the correct tyre pressure is good practice as tyre pressure guidelines provided anywhere else on the vehicle may only provide maximum tyre pressure and not the recommended tyre pressure.
Tyre rotation every 10 000km or less
Tyres wear out differently depending on the different road conditions they’re exposed to and the weight balance of a vehicle. This is why “rotating them is so important,” says Lett, since this allows the tyres to get exposed to similar variations.
Every tyre change or rotation should be followed by a tyre balancing service
Having one’s tyres balanced can make the difference between a safe driving experience and an unsafe one. Lett says, “unbalanced tyres speed up tyre tread wear and this is why tyre balancing is so important”. Tyre balancing is a process that involves the equalisation of the weight of the tyre and wheel assembly, to ensure that the wheel spins smoothly at high speeds.
Getting a tyre specialist to double-check a vehicle’s tyres
Sometimes, the excitement of a road trip can cause anyone to overlook tyre problems that may arise.
It may also seem overwhelming to keep tyres well-maintained before, during and after a road trip. But, that’s why we have tyre specialists at Branigans Tyres; dedicated to ensuring the safety of all motorists on all Australian roads.
By getting regular tyre checks done at Branigans Tyres, Burleigh Heads, the stress of tyre maintenance is taken away from the vehicle owner. Their mind is put at ease of all road safety concerns they may have previously had and their tyres will start to contribute a great deal to the vehicle’s improved driving performance; fuel efficiency as well as increases the overall lifespan of the vehicle’s tyres.
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.
