CARE OF TYRES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 9 April 1927, Page 15

CARE OF TYRES.

HINTS FOR PRESERVATION. MAINTAIN CORRECT PRESSURE. A remarkable .jack of knowledge concern m,iv pneumatic tyres exists among New Zealand motorists. It results in nn enormous waste of money every year, 'the manager of one concern etscimates that fully 50 per cent of tyres have their lives shortened by misuse, duei to lack of knowledge. There have, however, been comparatively few attempts to educate the motorist concerning his tyres, and it is felt that the fo lowing hints may be of value: — Consider the pneumatic tyre tram the human standpoint. Air is the “soul” of the tyre and its vitality is dependent upon the pressure. Any tyre that is under-inflated or over-inflated cannot be expected to give the same .service or life as one that is properly inflated according to thv schedule laid down by the manufacturTyres that are under-inflated are starved, and tyres that are over-in-flated are overfed. Pneumatic tyres need only one.diet, and that is air. and alt users should .see that their tyres are properly fed. No satisfactory subtsitute for air has been discovered since the pneumatic tyre was invented. There is no better cushion than air, because air will “flow” with the shape of the tyre in motion, and the- pressure will remain equal at all points at al times.

The inner tube is merely an air container, and anv special type of tube that is thicker at any one point ' iP hinder tire comfortable running of the car. Test vour air pressure regularly, and at frequent intervals, and .see that even pressure is maintained. No on? can accurately test the air pressure of any tyre by mere guesswork. This can only be -clone by using a proper tvre gauge. The air pressure in rear tyres must be equal, the. same with the pressure in front tyres, although the pressure in the front tvres can often, be slight 1 t v lower than the rear. The two Tear tyres inflated to makers’ schedule and the front tyres about- 21 bs lower is a good standard. Rear tyres with unequal pressure will cause discomfort to passengers and give the car a tendency to skid ini one direction. Front tvres with unequal pressure wild interfere with the proper steering of the car.

In test in rr the air pressure in your tyres be sure to see that- your valvei is riot leaking. If it is, fit a new valve “inside” and see that your dust cap is oroperlv screwed down. No taxi or car can run properly on deflated tyres, and trouble caused by negligence always occurs at the most inopportune moment, causing extreme annoyance to everyone.

With proper and daily attention to the tyres every driver should be practical 1 !v immune from tyre trouble. Tyre cost is one of the most irnjiort—ant’items in the upkeep of any oar 01taxi, and a great saving in the tyre bill can be effected by proper care. In inflating your tvres to the schedule recommended bv the tyre manufacturers r‘member that the schedule for the various sizes and tyres was only finally agreed niton after veairs of actual experience under aP sorts and conditions of road and driving.

See that vour spare is always inflated to the maximum pressure you require for vour back wheels. If a change l.s reqlured for the rear then vour spare is ready to fit immediately, hut. if you are using a >slightlv lower inflation, on front wheels, and a change of front tvre is necessary, just deflate the spare to the required pressure to ensure even running of the car.

Clean headlight lenses are essential to successful driving at night. The windshield should be kept clean also.