SPARE TYRE ECONOMY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 21 February 1931, Page 12

SPARE TYRE ECONOMY

The carrying of a spare tyre —and of a rim or wheel as the case may be—is now a necessity in motor usage, and a car is not completely equipped for the road unless the spare tyre is available on the vehicle. The usual way of carrying the spare is to have it attached to the spare rim or wheel and inflated ready for use. This is the proper method and conserves the tyre, which should never be allowed to get slack when not in use.

But the point about preserving the spare tyre which is of importance is that it should be protected from sunlight. This is damaging to vulcanised rubber, because it carries on the process of vulcanisation and renders the rubber hard and harsh, so that it develops small surface cracks. When eventually it has to be put into use the tyre soon deteriorates by reason of letting in wet and also because it is too hard to wear well.

It is also a good practice to change the tyre occasionally and give the spare a share of the actual carrying of the load. Putting it into use with the others adds to its life—this may sound paradoxical, hut the fact remains that a new tyre exposed to the sunlight and to extremes of temperature gradually deteriorates, while usage keeps it supple and in good condition. Tyre covers are best made of some material of light colour which will not absorb the light rays. Black covers are not so good as light-coloured covers although the black waterproof covers are valuable aids to tyre conservation and generally look less conspicuous on the car.