A Night With Tyre Tech

7 May 1996

On Tuesday night 7 May, we visited Tyretech at Albion. The night began with Bill the owner giving a talk about the Tyretech Business, plus the basics about tyres and their care. There are three separate sections of the business. One is selling alloy rims, fitting and balancing tyres, plus wheel alignments from small passenger cars, through to big 4WDs, and high performance vehicles. Second is the Queensland distribution of Motorsport tyres for circuit and rally competitions. The brands they sell are Bridgestone, Falken and Yokahama. The third being Motorsport equipment.

Bill stressed the main problems with tyre care is under or over inflation. He suggested purchasing a good quality dial tyre gauge, over the less accurate stick gauge and to keep a regular check on tyre pressures. It is best to check pressures when the tyres are cold. Recently released on the market is a product called 'Green Rings'. You simply adjust the valve stem to the correct pressure first with a gauge, so the Green Ring is clearly visible. Other tips for good tyre life, always make sure valve caps are fitted. Tyretech use two types, either plastic with an O-ring seal, or the metal type with a similar seal. Tyres should be rotated every 5,000 kms, front to back for Subarus, do not cross them. A wheel alignment should be done every 10,000 kms.

A 'dial' type gauge is best !

Tyretech take a lot of care in balancing tyres by correctly lining up the coloured dots on each tyre. The orange dot, lines up with the valve stem, while the red dot lines up with the rims balance mark. They also use a bee's wax based lubricant around the tyres bead to stop corrosion on the inside of the rims.

After Bill's talk, he handed over to Steven who spoke about the Motorsport products they sell, everything from race suits, helmets, seat belts, other safety gear, driving lights, through to product stickers. Each Person present received a goodies bag that included product information, posters, pens and stickers. The night closed with refreshments.

A big thank you to Tyretech for a very informative night.

David Martin SC180