MOTORING NOTES.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 20, 30 July 1920, Page 14

MOTORING NOTES.

WHAT TO DO TO TYRES IN WINTER. KSSENTTAL TO VULCANISE BAD SPOTS. A great trouble in winter driving is water vvorking its way into neglected cuts m the tread of a tyre, rotting the fabric aad eventually causing a blow-out. This means that the tyresshould be gone over at this season of the year, and all large cuts vulcan ised and the smaller ones filled with tryre putty. Tyre repair work is one of Gie specialised forms of service ; that is, in a good many instances it is not a part oi the inotor car dealer's establishment. Especially is this true in the larger cities, but we also find the same thing holding true in many small towns. Still there are thousands of dealers who have a tyre rep.ur department, and winter affords a good chanee to do a lot of work. No car owner likes to repair a tyre out 011 the mad in cold weather, and by maintaining a good service car equipped with spare tyres, tubes, etc., which the deaier ea r. slioot out to a stranded customer, he will b« building up a reputation for good service, especially if this fact is advertised. As a suggestion, the deaier might invite owners to driv,e into the service statiori and have tyres inspected, giving a cust estimate 011 repairing and pudding therr. in shaps for winter use. This sh uld include checking up on th,e spare, ' because this is one of the most neglected parts of a car, especially in winter. By all means s.ell the car owner a cover for the spare. Whai applies to the other tyres in the way of repairing cuts applies equally well to the spare. Also, see that the spare does not rub on the carriex paris, which means that the supporting straps should be tight cnough to prevent any looseness. A spare tyre often wears as ir.uch on the back end of a car as on a wlieel. WATCH INFLATION PRESSURE. CAR'S WEIGHT SHOULD NOT BE ON TYRES WHEN STORED. T is just as necessary to watch the inflation pressure of tyres in winter as in summer, and the only way it can be ascertained accurately is with a guage. Never guess at the pressure in a tyre. You canner tell a difference of 20 or 30 pounds by kickTng or looking at the tyre. Underinflation is the chief offender. Tyres that are not pumped up sufficiently will suffer greatly in Ihe winter, because rough ruts and particles of ice will pound holes into the castings. The least that can be done is to see that the tyres are pumped up to the maker's specifications. On cars that are left with the deaier to store and whose owners wish fo take them ont occasionally in winter, certain things regarding the tyres must be done. It is always well to look over such cars and seo that none of the tyres is fla-t, as a llat tyre in cold weather will suffer damage if the weight of the car is on it for any length of time. Also make sure that the tyres are not resting upon any tool or other object, which amounts to the same thing as giving the tyre a severe blow against the kerb. The fabric is st'retched considerably, and eventually will weakpa the tyre. All oil, ctc., should be wiped off the floor where the cars are stored. Of course, if the cars are to be in for any length of time, it is best to make some wood horses to put under the axles and thns take the weight off the tyres. Never allow mud or other foreign matter to remain on tyres that are on cars in storage. They should be washed with soap and water. Another point to watch in winter is putting graphite on the threads of the rim bolts. Unless this is done the nuts will get stuck and removal will be a difficult matter. The packing nut on the tyre valve should be screwed down tight to prevent water getting into the tube. This is important, because cars are often left at the kerb in water half-way up to hubs. Slippery roads make anti-skid devices necessafy. They should be used only when needed, however. Some mechanics make the mistake of applying them too tightly, presumahly to eliminate noise. The added pressure of the tyre and flattening out at the point of contact on the road causes the chains to play havoc with the tyres. Ci'oss chains .eventually become worn and must be replaced. If this is not done cutting of the casing will result.