MOTORING NOTES

Waikato Independent, Volume XXX, Issue 2304, 27 February 1930, Page 3

MOTORING NOTES

NEGLECT OF TYRES. AN IMPORTANT FACTOR. Proper care of tyres has always been an important matter to the car owner, even when the high pressure cord tyres were used extensively, tl is even more necessary now since the balloon or lowpressure tyre has come into existence. Although there arc millions of car owners still running on high-pressure tyres and will for some time to cTkmc, practically all new cars are equipped with low-pressure tyres. However, the highpressure tyre can stand jnore ill-treat-ment and neglect than can the lowpressure tyre, which accounts a great deal for its popularity. Although the low-pressure (balloon) tyre gives more comfort in riding it requires more care and attention in upkeep. An inflation pressure is usually recommended when purchasing a car, and should be maintained at all times. Sometimes this prcseurc may be increased according to the load the car customarily carries, but any dealer will advise the owner about this. hTc reason why it is important to keep the correct inflation pressure is evident in the following comparison. A loss of three pounds from a pressure of 30 in 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 tyres are still so popular.

The manufacturers used to recommend a higher pressure than was al-

ways necessary for high pressure tyres, because motorists were often neglect-

ful and a drop in the pressure of 30 pounds would still allow for enough auto prevent serious'damage to the casing. If balloon tyres are run to any considerable extent underinflated they r.re quickly cut by the rim and ruined. A balloon tyre gauge caligratcd in single pounds wi.d held in maintaining the r-ght amount of air in the tyre. There are a few other points to fo.iit cat for hi keeping the recommended inflation pressures. Tyre valve insider •n all casings t-hould be tight and in condition. The rim nut on the base of the valve stem should be tight to prevent the tube from "creeping." Small cuts in the tyres are also to b>> looked out for. They can cause unexpected trouble and blowouts becau-re water and mud and sand work their way into these little cuts, rot the fahnc, and bring about deterioration of the tyre. Let the repairman give an_y such small cuts immediate attention, or do it yourself. To the motorist who asks how he c in 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 bo sure that they are fastened loosely enough to work their way around the tyro. Spares should be protected by cover casings. Avoid the severe strains which result from skidding, letting the clutch in too suddenly, or jambing 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. Misaligned wheels will - wabble' and run unevenly and cause rapid and uneven wear on tyres.

A thirty-inch tyre will diag 171 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 man check up on the wheel alignment perhaps once or twice a year.