Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-03-08
WATCH CHAINS
ON THE TIRES,
SAYS EXPERT
Goodrich Official Declares Non
Skid Devices Should Be
Carefully Adjusted.

American business man that he will
risk his neck to get somewhere,
though he has more leisure after he
arrives than he can possibly use.
In his haste to get on he overlooks
many an important fact because he
does not have time to bother with
what he regards as a mere detail
This applies particularly to the auto
mobile owner. AS long as his tires
hold air and give service he is little
interested in how they do It.
Take, for instance the matter Of
chains. How many automobiles
really understand their proper ap-
rifcation and the serious consequences
that may result from ignorance Of this
subject. Some types of chains are
fastened to the spokes so that they
are stationary and always grip the
tire in the same place. Sometimes a
piece of ordinary chain is wrapped
spirally around the tire.
Perhaps the most pernicious prac-
tice of all is the application Of chains
to non-skid treads. In all these in
stances the damage is speedy and
positive. The best chains to use are
those Of the floating type. These
should be 80 adjusted that they may
creep gradually around the tire, yet
care should be taken that they are
not too loose. In that event, they
will creep so rapidly as to scrape and
cut the tread.
THE greatest abuse of all is the
continuous use Of chains on city
pavements.
Wheels Out of Line.
Faulty alignment is responsible for
the premature wearing out of many
tires. Where this condition is pres
ent the wheels, instead of running
parallel run at slight angle to one
another. 1t is caused by bent steer
ing knuckle or axle, or improper adj
justment Of the steering apparatus.
The result is grinding action on a
tire at the point Of contact with the
road. Thu speed with which a tread
will wear down under such circum-
stances depends upon the degree Of
misalignment and the nature of the
roads over which a tire is run. In
stances have come to my attention
where a new tire has been worn TO
the fabric at so miles.
"As this is an ailment which usu-
ally affects merely the front wheels,
it Is not a particularly difficult one
to detect 1t may be suspected from
the peculiar appearance which the
tread presents and this Suspicion may
be readily verified by measuring the
distance with a. stick between the
felloes of the opposed wheels ahead
and behind the axle. A variation Of
more than one eighth OF an inch in
these two measurements will prove
detrimental. Normally, as the car
comes from the factory, the front
wheels should toe in to about this eX
tent, this being regarded as an aid to
steering control. A severe strain or
accident to the car can disturb this
adjustment, and should such be the
case 1t can not be looked after too
soon.
Characterization is a source of many
grave ills. Something more than Il
mere case and tube is necessary to
support the weight of q car. In fact,
the very purpose of the pneumatic
tire is to place this burden on the
air COLUMN in the tube. The tube
and case are designed merely to be air
containers and if the proper air pres
sure is not maintained. the burden
falls on material not equal to carrying
it. Loosening of the tread, fabric sep
aration and breaking of the threads
result.
Burns the Fabric.
in many instances the heat pro-
duced by the working of the air and
the chatting of the tube against the
casing actually burns the fabric and
robs it of it's life. A not less serious
consequence of underinhatlon is rim
cutting.
There is little likelihood of tires
being ovcrinhated. A good rule to
follow is to so round up your tires
that with a full load they stand with
out depression on a level floor. Varl-
atoms in temperature affect the pres
sure so slightly that they may be dis
regarded altogether.
Neglect to have cuts and breaks
properly vulcanized is a fruitful
source of expense and trouble. Fab
rio, like any other woven textile, will
be weakened by the breaking of its
threads. A cut or break, therefore, is
bound to extend itself If not REIN
forced by permanent repair. Often
the surface marks are misleading, as
the elastic tread will show slight
marks Of abrasion where the inelastic
fabric beneath win be badly broken.
Small tread cuts allow the entrance
of moisture which rots the fabric.
Sand then gets in, blistering and loos-
ening the tread These small cuts
can be effectually sealed with plastic
compound. Large cuts should be vul-
canized.
"Where a cut or break affects sew
eral piles of fabric, no delay should
be permitted An emergency patch
and band will enable getting to a re-
pair shop, but these devices must not
be relied upon too long. They are
temporary measures only. Likewise,
If there happens to be reliner In the
case, too much confidence should not
be placed on this.
ReIiners and Use.
"Reliners have a place in old and
otherwise unrepairable castings, where
they may give some added mileage,
but In a new or serviceable case
never. They lull the owner into q
false security against injuries, and
when a blowout occurs greatly ag-
gravates the damage. Besides, they
cause overheating and chatting, burn
ing the life out Of the fabric and de-
stroying the adhesion of the tread.
Supplemental treads produce similar
results
ut is an actual fact that very few
tires, as put out to-day by the leading
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