New-York tribune., 1918-11-24
Care of Tires Preuents
Delays in Winter Dnoing
Rubber Outside of Covering Is Not to Abso,b T.
Shocks, but to Act Waterproofng
for the Fabric

TNlRE trouble is bad enough in
summer, but it is doubly that
IN winter. Proper care of tires
during the summer puts them in shape
for winter and greatly lessons the
necessity for changes or repairs. The
greatest bugbear of winter driving is
that water gets through the small cuts
the fabric, rotting it and eventually
causing blowout. Every driver
should bear in mind that the rubber
put on the outside of the tire is not
to absorb road shocks, but to act as a
waterproofng for the fabric, which is
really the backbone of the tire.
There are some exceptions to this
| for it is a fact a thick section of the
rubber will act somewhat to cushion
shocks, but the real purpose is to act
as protector for the fabric. Right
now is the time to inspect your tires
and fill small holes or cuts with tire
putty, vulcanizing larger cuts So
many portable vulcanizers are on the
| simple process and one that can be per
formed by most any o-e. OF course
any large tire repair job should be
given to some one having the proper
equipment.
Water has very deterioratng effect
in rotting and causing irregular breaks
in the fabric, and as many of the roads
are slushy the greater part of winter
1T will be evident that it is necessary
to keep them watertight
Wheels Must Be Lined Up
Before making any attempt to &c
after the tires, see to it that the wheels
are lined UP properly. Tires wear very
fast when the front or rear wheels are
off in this respect, as sometimes the
rear axle is not square with the line OF
directions; hence, there will be ex.
cessive grinding on both rear wheels
This is not as frequent as front wheel
, disalignment; nevertheless, it should
be checked up.
Having done this, go after the rims;
take off the castings and apply coat
| of graphite to the rims. A frequent
, cause for short tire life is rust on The
rims. 1t is surprising how quickly tht
fabric above the bead deterioratesl il
the rims are covered with rust. ; Ir
this case rub the rims with emery cloth
and apply graphite.
Tire imitation is fully as important II
winter as in summer. The rough ruts
and sharp particles of ice pound hole.
in the castings where they come III
contact with the rims. Overlooking
must be watched also, because it weak
ems the tires, and this with under
imitation means that its career of use
fulness may come to an abrupt ending
This is aggravatlng, but doubly so il
zero weather Guard against it By
keeping your tires at the right press
ure. Use a gauge in ascertaining this
because you cannot tell the difference
OF W
in tire by looking at it.
Driving on Tracks
1t is quite temptation to drive or
streetcar tracks in winter, because the
adjacent portion of the street is not
clean, and to dodge the rough packed
Ice and snow the driver takes to the
tracks. You have heard SO much about
driving in tracks that it is needless tc
discuss the matter here The same
holds true when driving in frozen ruts
so far as your tire life is concerned
1t is better to avoid the ruts and tracks
and go over the untravelled portion
though it may not be quite so com.
Portable. Aside from the detrimental
effect on tires, driving in the track
carries with it a certain element OF
danger, for quick twisting of the front
wheels may result in accident from the
rear OF the car skidding when leaving
the rails.
Slippery road surfaces make the use
CT anti-skid devices imperative. So far
as possible use these only when abso-
lutely necessary, for their continued
use may result in actual damage to the
TIRE AS an extra precaution drive
slowly and. be careful in using the
brake. Many owners make the mistake
CT applying tire chains too tightly. pre-.