NEGLECT OF "BALLOONS "

NZ Truth, Issue 1272, 17 April 1930, Page 18

NEGLECT OF "BALLOONS "

Will Take A Heavy Toll of Low Pressure Tyres * ■ . '

Proper care of tyres has always been an important matter to the car owner, even when the high-pressure cord tyres were used extensively. It is even more • necessary now, since the balloon or low-pressure tyre has come into existence.

ALTHOUGH, there are millions of car }\ owners still running on high-pres-sure tyres, and will for' some time to come, practically all new cars are equipped with low-pressure tyres. However, the high-pressure tyre can stand more ill treatment and neglect than can. the low-pressure tyre, which accounts a great deal for its popularity, says Mr. M. "Wall, Service Manager for General Motors, KT.Z. Ltd. But the balloon tyre is increasing m popularity for which there are several reasons.. It gives greater riding comfort. One rides on. a volume of air instead of the ; stiff carcass of the tyre as is the case when using high-pressure tyres. The balloon tyre, because of its inflexibility and lower pressure, gives m to the shock of the road obstacles, and absorbs the shock which would otherwise transit to passengers. . The engine suffers less from damaging Jars. All In all, the balloon tyre Is accountable for much of the Increased pleasure of motoring these days. Although the low-pressure tyre gives more comfort m riding, it requires more care and attention m upkeep. An inflation pressure is/; usually recommended when purchasing a car, and should be maintained at /all times. . "'Sometimes : :this ( - pressure may be increased* according to the load the car customarily carries, but any dealer will advise the owner about this. -The reason why. -it is important to keep the correct inflation pressure is evident m the following comparison:- A loss of three pounds from a pressure of 30 m a balloon tyre is a loss of 10 per cent. It would take a loss of seven pounds from a 70 pound pressure tyre. This is one of the reasons why high-pressure tyres are -still so popular. The manufacturers used to recommend a higher pressure than was always necessary for high pressure tyres, because motorists were' often neglectful and a drop m the pressure of thirty pounds would still allow for enough air to prevent serious damage to the casing. If balloon tyres are run to any 'considerable extent underlnflated, they are quickly cut by the rim and ruined. A balloon tyre^ gauge, calibrated in 1 single pounds will help In maintaining the right amount of air In the, tyre.

General Motors New Zealand Ltd., advises its purchasers to check their tyre inflation once or twice a week, and .also to set aside one. day every week for tyre inspection. It will not take long to do this, and is worth the trouble of being assured that the air m one's tyres Is at the proper pressure. I Tyre inspection could be made a part of the regualr routine visit to the filling station for benzine and oil. It has been estimated that nearly 99 per cent, of tyre trouble Is caused by underinflation. There are- a few other points to look out for m keeping the recommended inflation pressures. Tyre valve insides m all casings should be tight and m good condition. The^rim nut on the base of the valve stenT~ should be tight to prevent the tube from "creeping." Small cuts m the tyres are also to be looked out for. They can cause unexpected trouble and blowouts because water and mud and sand work their way into these little cuts, rot the fabric, and bring about deterioration of the tyre. Let the repairman give any such small cuts immediate attention, or do it yourself. .-.■■. To the motorist who asks how he can add to the life of his tyres, might be given the following admonitions: See that the proper inflation , •pressure Is In the tyres at all times. When applying chains be sure that they are fastened loosely enough to work their way around the tyre. Spares should be protected by cover casings. Avoid the severe strains which result from skidding, letting' the clutch m too suddenly, or jamming the brakes too hard. Keep the rim touched up with rim paint "or shellac. Carry a portable vulcaniser, blowout patch, chain tool, tyre sleeve, jack, valve cap, tyre gauge, ,etc, to take care of emergencies. Proper' wheel alignment is also important and is worth consideration. Misaligned wheels will wabble and run unevenly and cause rapid and uneven wear on tyres. . A thirty-inch tyre will drag 1.74 feet every mile if the wheel is but one inch out of alignment. The greater the ground contact of a tyre the more intense will be,- the "drag." And so it is wise to have the service mafl check up on the wheel alignment perhaps once or twice a year. v ■