The Washington herald., 1913-11-16
TUBE CARE IMPORTANT
in RUNNING OF AUTOS
Good Tire Service Depends Upon
Tre-Instructions Given to Avoid
Unnecessary Trouble.
DISCUSSION OF "PINcHING"

pneumatic automobile tire Is an en-
velop for the air pressure 1t retains. The
function of the inner tube is to provide
| an air tight lining for the casing. The
| casing Is the more expensive but this
does not prevent the by-no-means incon-
| siderable saving that a few simple pre-
cautions with the tube will return
1t ought to be borne in mind that the
tube is the most delicate part OF the
tire and that to yield the highest eff
cheney II ought to be treated to corre-
spond. The tube In itself has COM
paratively no tensile strength; II simply
fiattens itself out against the inside OF
the casing. II ever the casing becomes
too weak at any point. the tube blows
out; in itself il cannot restrain the pres
sure of the inside air cushion.
To insure good tire service. the motor
list takes precautions against tire trouble.
The first problem is to take care OF the
casing that IL successfully will protect
the inner tube. The motorist also viii
be interested in knowing the things to
do TO avoid unnecessary trouble with
his tubes.
One of the fundamentals is proper
selection. II is a matter OF no little
consequence to select from the many
styles now on the market. each having
apparent advantages TO recommend II.
the type WHICH DeSl SdllSIleb Ine eSSen-
tial requirements for reliable service.
In general, there are two classes of
tubes on the market-pure gum and COM
pounded. The compounded tube is US
ually thicker than the pure gum type
and increased thickness is desirable be-
cause il decreases the susceptibility to
pinching and puncturing. Pure gum
tubes usually are not built as thick be-
cause of the extra and essentially un-
necessary expense this would involve.
But the extra thickness OF the COM
pounded tube introduces more disad7
vantages than this one advantage can
compensate,
Originally, a compounded tube is air
tight and highly elastic. But 1t can't re-
tain these qualities long. The inorganic
compounds IL contains not only are good
conductors of heat, so increasing the
tendency to heat, but are themselves
capable of deteriorating the rubber. es-
pecially when heated. In service there
is a natural tendency to heat and the
pure gum tube resists this tendency, be-
ing harder to heat, and in addition, is
not SO easily injured by heat. This Is
very important in its effect on repairs.
It is difficult to repair a compounded tube
Its adhesion to pure gum
vuleanized repairs is not perfect and
the heat necessary to cure the repair,
seriously injuries the part Of the tube
affected. For a short time a compounded
tube may give good service, but the
pure gum tube is the only type capable
Of all-around CONSTANT service.
Besides the inside of the casing. the
tube also comes into contact with the
rim between the beads of the casing.
The rim accordingly. also should be
clean and smooth. The chief damagel
from rims however. arises from their |
tendency to rust Rust, aside from max
ing the rim rough. eats into the tube. |
Z erhaps the most effective way to deal
with this Is to paint the rim with graph |
lite paint.
For te repair OF punctures and blow-t
outs it Is necessary frequently to re-
move the tube from the casing. For |
this reason the tube should never be per-
nitted to stick to the casing, somethingl
il ordinarily has a tendency to;do. This |
Is obviated by the generous use Of French |
tale
Most motorists realize the damaging
effect of running a tire fiat after q
puncture The casing Is quickly ruined l
beyond repair, but the tube even more
easily is ruined Driving a. short dis
lance with the tire fat will grind up the
lube into pasty shreds
Sometimes the blowout comes morel
Inflated The tube also may be pinched
between the spreader at the base OF the
Ealve stem and the stay bolts. Its ef-
'ect is ithe same as pinch at the edge
II the bead.
A final precaution will pretty well in
Iure against disappointing tube service,
md that Is this: Protect your spare
.ubes Usually the spare tubes are fold
d and carried in the tool box. Here
hey come in contact with greases, oils.
md tools which present sharp edges
rhe- TUBE frequently win be shifted
lround during search for some needed
lrticIe. In time this shutting around
hates and deeply wears the folded
dges- OFTEN tube is actually worn out
n a tool box before II Is ever used
tubes always should be carried In bags
II In the pasteboard boxes with which
heir maker furnishes them
A report prepared by the Vienna cham
er Of commerce, on the trafic of the
iunicipal street railways in 1872. shows
S miles Of route. 15s Of which were