TYRE INFLATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23335, 29 October 1937, Page 18

TYRE INFLATION

EFFECT ON BRAKING The effect of tyre pressure upon braking efficiency is not realised fully by many drivers of cars and trucks. No matter how accurately the brakes be adjusted, they cannot have an equal retarding effect if they operate through tyres running at unequal pressures. The result of uneven pressures in tyres is very noticeable, and- felt at its greatest extent when the inflation' of the front tyres is at fault, because there is a tendency for the steering to be pulleed to one side. It is clear from this that balanced tyre inflation is advisable, particularly so in the large-section, lowpressure tyres used on present-day automobiles, as they are much more susceptible to slight differences than wey.fi the high pressure tyres of a few years ago. An accurate' gauge should always be used when checking tyre pressures, and for preference it should always be the same gauge, just in case there might be a discrepancy between the readings of any two instruments.

Another effect of running on under-inflated tyres is increased petrol consumption. The reason is that the rolling or tractive resistance of the vehicle is increased, and therefore greater power is required to propel it along the road. Any motorist who doubts this should try to push his car with the tyres partially deflated and again with them properly inflated, It is doubtful whether the importance of correct tyre inflation is appreciated fully by the average private owner. Neglect in this important matter means increased tyre wear, increased fuel consumption, harder steering and a tendency to roll on corners. Driving on soft tyres is definitely expensive.