The Brookings register. [volume] (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1903-1971, 1921-04-07
PROPER CARE OF
valve ENJ0|NED
One Part of Auto Tire Causes
Much Annoyance if It Is Not
Treated Right.
DIRT CAUSES MUCH TROUBLE
Erroneous idea to Think That Cap ls
an Unessential Thing-Makes an
Alright Connection-Tishten
H~exaeonai Nut.

One part of an automobile tire
which in for too little atten-
ton is the valve. Treated properly,
this inexpensive but highly important
part of a tires mechanism will func-
ton satisfactorily throughout the life
of the tire, but when mistreated 1t
often causes annoyance.
When a valve begins to give trou-
BILE 1t may be assumed in nearly every
case as n practice. certainty that dirt
has worked into the valve and is the
main cause for improper functioning.
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 1t makes little difference
whether n cap Is used or not. But
this idea Is entirely erroneous, and
motorists who do not use the valve
cap are in danger Of valve trouble.
When the cap is not used there is a
strong likelihood that dirt will work
down into the valve and ultimately
produce a valve leak. While a tire
remains inflated this dirt in some
cases may do no harm, but when a
new imitation Is made the air drives
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 pur-
pose, in that, If the valve should begin
to leak, the cap makes al alright
connection able to withstand a pres
sure up to 800 pounds.
If a cap Is screwed on well a break
down Of the valve inside need cause
the driver no inconvenience, as the
cap will prevent the tire from deflat-
Ing. The one sure way to avoid valve
leakage Is to use the cap.
A common abuse Of the tire valve
occurs when removing the valve
plunger. The user usually drops 1t In
the dirt until he is ready to put 1t
back In place. If, during this careless
handling, dirt lodges on the red rubber
washer, an uneven seating will result
and a leak will follow. II dirt has
worked It's way into the plunger throw
away the plunger and put In a new
one.
The valve plunger should he screwed
In as far as It will go. There Is no dan
ger Of breaking the plunger II the
pressure Is only that eyerted through
the use Of the cap as a s~crewdriver.
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 wcTagonal nut should
always b. '.Own tight against
the washN UP Cbpase, as this makes
a satisfactory seal around the opening
through which the valve stem enters
the tube
The rim nut nust always be screwed
tight, so that II closes the hole in the
rim. IF this Is not done, dirt will work
In between the tire and tube and cause
the tube to wea 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. 1t Is at the same time a screw
driver tool for putting In or taking out
plungers, and a debating cap which,
when screwed on the cap, will permit
the deflation of the tire without the
removal of the valve plunger.