Evening star., 1920-06-20
PROPER CARE OF
VALVE ENJO|NED
One Part of Auto Tire, It Is
Asserted, Which Lacks
& Attention.

One part of an automobile tire
which comes in for too little atten-
ton is the valve. Treated properly,
part of tires mechanism will func-
ton satisfactorily throughout the life
Of the. tire, but when mistreated it
often causes annoyance.
When a valve begins to give trou-
BILE it may be assumed in nearly every
case as a practical certainty that dirt
has worked into the valve and is the
main cause for improper functioning,
says the United States Tire Company.
This being the case, the principal at
tention a motorist need give the valve
is simply to see that all dust and dirt
are excluded from the interior Of the
valve.
Another Erroneous idea.
There is a rather common belief that
the valve cap is an unessential thing
and that it makes little difference
whether a cap is used or not. But
this idea is entirely erroneous, and
motorists who do not use the valve
When the cap is not used there is q
strong likelihood that dirt will work
down into the valve and ultimately
produce a valve leak. While q tire
remains inflated this dirt in some
cases may do no harm. but when a
the dirt down into the valve and
makes an alright connection impos-
sible.
In addition to keeping out dirt,
the valve cap serves another useful
purpose. in that. if the valve should
begin to leak, the cap makes an air
tight connection able to Withstand q
pressure up to 500 pounds.
II a cap fs screwed on well . break
down of the valve insides need cause
cap will prevent the tire from de-
iating. The one sure way to avoid
valve leakage is to use the cap.
All Valves Practically Alike.
All Of the large tire companies use
the same make of alive, SO this adj
vice given by the United states Tire
Company may be followed by prac-
bicycles. motor cycles. automobiles
and trucks are all Of one size. 90 II
one is lost it may easily be replaced.
A common abuse of the tire valve
occurs when removing the valve
in the dirt until he is ready to put
it back in place. II. during this
careless handling, dirt lodges on the
red rubber washer, an uneven seat
ing will result and leak will fol-
the plunger throw away the plunger
and put in a new one.
The valve plunger should be screwed
in as far as it will go. There is no dan
ger Of breaking the plunger If the pres
sure is only that exerted through the
use of the cap as screwdriver.
Look Out for Leaks.
Sometimes there may be a leak around
the base of the valve stem. In that case
the hexagonal nut should be frightened.
This hexagonal nut should always be
screwed down tight against the washer
at the base. as this makes satisfactory
seal around the opening through which
the valve stem enters the tube.
The rim nut must always be screwed
tight, SO that it closes the hole in the
rim II this is not done. dirt will work
in between the tire and tube and cause
the tube to wear out.
An inexpensive valve tool which has a
variety Of uses might well form a part
Of every cars equipment. This tool can
be used for tapping the inside OF the
valve stem, for rethreading the outside
cap thread Of the valve stem and for
roaming the top of the valve stem. It
is at the same time a screwdriver tool
for putting in or taking out plungers.
and q debating cap which, when screw
ed on the cap, will permit the dehation
Of the tire without tho removal OF the
va1va n1yYnGer