PNEUMATIC MILEAGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 510, 13 November 1928, Page 7

PNEUMATIC MILEAGE

WHY SOME TYRES LAST LONGER Even in these enlightened days there are many users of pneumatic tyres who insuffiicently appreciate why some of their tyres give considerably greater mileage than others. And should one or more outer covers fail earlier than expected, the reason is very often attributed to faulty manufacture, and the makers are discredited accordingly, states a tyre expert in the Goodyear News. So far as the leading makes of pneumatic tyres are concerned, methods of production are so standardised and supervised that variations in wearing qualities between covers and tubes of the same size and pattern are very much less than was the case when pneumatics were first applied. If, therefore, disappointing results are experienced, it will usually be found that the conditions under which the tyres in question are run, or their treatment,. are responsible. In fa,ct, it can be regarded almost as an axiom that every pneumatic tyre is capable of giving the maximum of mileage for which it was designed; whether it attains it or not depends almost entirely upon the manner and circumstances of its use. Here are some of the reasons for decrease in the mileage of tyres: Under-inflation. Wheels not in correct alignment. Bent or rusty rims. Brakes not properly adjusted. Tyres not properly mounted. Reckless driving. Tread cuts not promptly mended. Motor spirit imports into New Zealand during the first eight months of 1928 amounted to 36,773,580 gallons, as compared with 29,493,938 gallons in the same period of 1927. This huge increase gives some idea of the substantial annual increases to be expected in petrol tax revenue.