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What Teens Need to Know About Tires and Air Pressure
By Donna Verry Dee
It's 10 o'clock; do you know where your teen driver is - and whether or not his/her tires are properly inflated? If you're leaving it up to him/her, they're probably not. Over 90 percent of teen drivers don't know the proper way to check tire pressure, according to a national survey by the tire industry. That means they're using more gas than necessary and putting themselves at higher risk for accidents.
"The leading cause of tire failure is under-inflation," says Barry Smith, who has been involved in the design, manufacturing and testing of tires for over 30 years and has authored training manuals on the care and use of tires. "Under-inflation has caused thousands of deaths." According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Admin-istration (NHTSA), under-inflated tires contribute to 660 fatalities and 33,000 injuries each year.
Safety isn't the only reason to keep tires at peak air pressure. "Under-inflation also increases rolling resistance - which burns more fuel," says Smith. "So not only is it safer to properly inflate your tires - It's green!" The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that properly inflated tires can improve fuel economy by 3.3 percent which means a savings of 12 cents per gallon. Properly maintained tires also last longer, reducing replacement and disposal needs.
A 2008 survey of teen drivers conducted by the Rubber Manu-facturers of America (RMA) found some alarming gaps in tire intelligence. For example, nearly 3 out of 4 teen drivers do not know where to find the correct tire pressure for their vehicle. According to the RMA, the right amount of air for your tires is specified by the vehicle manufacturer and is shown on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is also listed in the owner's manual. The tire sidewall does not provide this information, listing instead the maximum allowable pressure for the specific tire. "Inflat-ing to the maximum pressure could over-inflate the tire, resulting in premature wear, greater risk of puncture damage and vehicle handling issues," says Daniel Zielinski of RMA.
Another common problem among teen drivers was not knowing the best time to check tire pressure. Sixty-two percent of teens did not know that the tires must be cool to get accurate air pressure readings. "Cool" means that the car hasn't been driven in at least three hours. Driving even one mile can throw off air pressure gauge readings because driving increases warmth which increases air pressure.
Finally, more than half of teen drivers believe that they can tell if tire pressure is too low simply by looking at their tires. A tire can lose 50 percent of its pressure and still not appear to be under-inflated. Experts agree that air pressure should be checked every month.
Nearly half of teen drivers say they have never checked the air pressure on the vehicle they drive. The RMA provides these simple steps to help walk teens through it.
1. Determine proper tire pressure. The right amount of air for your tires is specified in the vehicle owner's manual and on the tire label located on the vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door.
2. Make sure tires are cool. Air pressure goes up when tires heat up after driving even a mile, so check the pressure when tires are cool. If you have to drive to get air, record the pressure first, then add the appropriate pressure when you get to the pump. Never release ("bleed") air from warm tires.
3. Use an accurate gauge. It's impossible to determine whether tires are properly inflated just by looking at them. Always use an accurate pressure gauge.
4. Check air pressure. Remove the cap from the tire valve. Firmly press the pressure gauge onto the valve. Note the pressure indicated on the gauge. If the pressure is at the recommended level, replace the valve cap.
5. Add air if needed. If the pressure is below the recommended level, add air until the proper level is reached. Then recheck the pressure with your pressure gauge. If you over-inflate the tire, release air by pushing on the metal stem in the center of the valve. Recheck the pressure, then replace the cap.
6. Visually inspect the tires. Finish your pressure check by inspecting the tire, looking for nails and other embedded objects that could cause leaks. Check the sidewall for gouges, cuts, bulges or irregularities.
7. Repeat with other tires, including the spare.
How to Make Paper Mache
By Jennifer Hollowell
Crafting and children go hand-in-hand. So, what better project to work on than the creation of paper mache? Not only is this an easy project it is also eco-friendly. This project is appropriate for all ages. There are many paper mache recipes, but one tops the list because all its ingredients are found in your kitchen:
For this mixture, it's recommended that a few drops of Wintergreen oil be added to the paste in order to increase its shelf life. The dash of salt is added to prevent molding as the project dries.
Another paper mache paste that's popular is:
Choose a paste that works best. Don't be afraid to experiment because, what works for you may not be the choice the kids make. You may also want to tweak the recipe's measures. If you don't make enough, it's better to make up another batch. Also, be sure to use a mixing bowl and wooden spoon that are reserved specifically for craft projects.
Once your paste mixture is stirred into a creamy consistency, add torn strips of paper one at a time until they're completely soaked. Torn paper strips will adhere better than strips that have been cut with scissors or a paper cutter. When removing the strip from the paste, squeeze off any extra paste back into the bowl.
Place the strips so they're slightly overlapping one another on the craft piece. Gently smooth out bubbles and wrinkles. If you're not very careful, these delicate pieces of wet paper will tear. When slightly overlapping the papers during the application process, the finished piece will dry more smoothly.
It's recommended two layers of paper mache be added to a craft piece. Be aware that each layer must be dried completely before the next layer begins. Otherwise, you may be compromising how well the piece holds together. It takes at least twenty-four hours for each layer to dry completely, so plan to spend several days completing this project.
One the layers are all applied and the piece is completely dry, the real fun begins! Consider painting the entire piece with white acrylic paint or white acrylic gesso before doing anything decorative. This will allow for better painting surfaces.
Use either poster paints or acrylic craft paints to add colors and patterns to your piece. Further embellish the piece with beads, glitter, gems, and other craft supplies. There is no limit to what can be used. If you're applying weighty objects, be sure to use a hot glue gun, rubber cement, or very heavy-duty craft glue for stronger adhesion.
Another variation on this project:
Mix paper that has been torn into bits with water until the paper is completely saturated. Drain the water so you're left with a paper pulp. Mix this pulp with whatever paper mache paste recipe you want to use. When mixing, you will notice a clay-like mixture forming. This clay-like mixture can be formed with your hands to create just about anything. Be aware that, as the piece dries, it will shrink slightly.
Use these recipes as a springboard for ideas to make gifts, ward off inclement weather, and keep little hands busy!