The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1916-01-08
Anti Skid Devices May
Cause Tire Injuries
Continued Use of Chains When Not Needed Source
Of Cuts-Eiave Damage Repaired Before Mois- i
ture and Dirt RUIN Fabric Body.
By J. J. HAAS.
No. s.-PUNCTUREs and sNAGs.

The service OF tires VIII be abbrevi-
ated to a considerable. extent II cuts,
pupctures snd ynags are neglected. Toe
much care cannot be oScrcised In avoid
ing injuries OF this nature. as much 10
possible or. at least. give them the
proper attention within reasonable
rGriod..
Nov mscadam roads. especially wren
wet are liable TO damage the rubter
cover. II IS recommended that tic
specd OF the car be slightly Accelerated
and clutch depre ssed before coming up
to loose, crushed stone in the road: it.
is better to coast over sharp stones
rather than cause more tire traction by
leaving gears engaged.
Tho rubber cover may receive riirnCr-
GUS small snaHs and cuts II rear wheels
lose traction and spin around on wet
pavemcnts or in mud or sand IL rear
wheels. slip, back car, for a short dis
lance and then start forward. When
this fails. Jack up rear wheels and
wrap with rorc or place something firm
underneath to give tile tires a grip.
The elasticity Of the rubber permits
cut in the tread to expand when under
the weight Of machine and in contact
with the read. In this way such foreign
matter as grit and pebbles are forced
into tho cut. With each revolution Of
the wheel. the accumulation OF foreign
matter acts as a wedge. and further
forces itself between the cover and
fahrie OF the tire. 1t e not unusual
neglected. to cause a complete separa-
ton OF the tread. An entire new cover
can often be applied in a satisfactory
manner. providing the fabric is in fairly
god condition. but It il more practical
and certainly less expensive to attend
to the initial injuries when first no.
ticed.
Decay Of Fabric Body.
Owners arc sometimes surprised and
disappointed to learn from the repair
man that IT is not advisable 20 rebuild
tires having good covers and appearing.
from the outside. to ba all right This is
often due to separation and decay of
the fabric body caused by water work
ing through neglected cuts. Tho fabric
ie the real foundation and strength OF
the tire. and II IL. therefore. highly inl-
portRnt to protect II.
It is suggested that after long trip,
o. at regular intervals. the tires be
examined carefully. Remove tacks.
glass. nails. and other objects before they
cause serious damage: wash mud and
other foreign matter from the tires and
Curc-cut or similar preparations on the
market for emergency repairs. II I'M
able TO repair the injuries In this way.
have the work handled by an experi-
enced aud competent repair shop.
Anti-slIid devices are helpful, under
certain conditions. but great harm will
result from continued use when not
actually needed.
Some devices are noisy. and there is
a temptation to fasten same tightly to
fires
pressure and fiattening out OF the tires.
at point in contact with the ground, will
cause, the cross grips to cut and gouge
into the rubber cover and fabric UNI
derneath. Some devices are not apt TO
be effective. II fitted too tight. and the
tire will spin around When cross grips
become worn. sharp and rough. they
should be replaced. otherwise cutting OF
the cover cannot be avoided-moisture
and dirt will do the rest.
Injury Caused BY Fender.
Be careful that a sharp turn of front
wheels does not result in treads being
rubbed by spring shackles or other
sharp projecting objects. II a bumper
or guard be applied to front of car, be
sure that the ends permit of enough
clearance for the front tires so that
same will not be Rouged when making a
sharp turn.
When the car is loaded heavily. there
Is danger OF the tire treads being bump
ed or 'RouRed by fender when passing
over rough places in the street or road.
Tenders bent from accidents may be
entirely too close to the tires and cause
a great deal OF injury. particularly IL
there are any sharp extending bolts I'M.
derneath the fender. An inspection un-
der tenders sometimes discloses bolts
worn smooth and bright due to con-
tinued buffinR and rubbing by tires.
II change be made from regular to
oversize tires. make sure that there
will be sufficient clearance between
tires and mud guards when car is load
cd to capacity-this is. however. pro-
vided for by most car manufacturers.
The treads of rear tires are sometimes