No tire pressure valve cap, water in tire during rainy period? (Mart: to buy, maintenance)

[daluu]

If a tire pressure valve cap was missing on a tire and you drove it during a time of moderate (perhaps maybe heavy) rain, would water get in the tire?

Just wondering since SA rain can cause puddles of water in various places.

Is there an easy way to check if a tire has water in it? Any way to get water out of it (if there was any)?

[Dementius88]

No the air pressure in teh tire will keep the water out. That is how they check for leaks. They fill your tire up adn put it under soapy water, follow the bubbles and there you have your leak.

[Bo]

Not having caps on your valves is a good way to get a "flat tire surprise" someday. You can buy a set of 4 replacement caps for under $1 at Wal-Mart or auto parts stores. IMO, there aren't many better ways to buy so much peace of mind for less than $1.

[SATX56]

Positive pressure in the tire keeps moisture out of course. Schroeder (sp) valves are pretty good about not leaking. When they do leak it's probably from debris getting into them. The little protective rubber caps are there to keep dirt and debris out of the valve stem and valve. They will not keep air from escaping. The only type of covers or caps that may seal are extensions made to extend through hubcaps. Far as I know!! Moisture in your tire is more likely the result of moisture in the air you fill your tire with. They have in line driers on some systems to remove the moisture! Not to say that there couldn't be special caps available now that will actually seal!

[rd2007]

did someone actually steal all four of them? that's just stupid crazy since they are only a couple bucks at most. and thanks for reminding me.. my wife's car has been missing one forever and I need to get a replacement.

[TXtrkgrl]

Originally Posted by rd2007

did someone actually steal all four of them? that's just stupid crazy since they are only a couple bucks at most. and thanks for reminding me.. my wife's car has been missing one forever and I need to get a replacement.

Yea, but it is just so much easier to steal them than to park the car, get out and walk into the store, find the covers and then (God forbid) PAY for them.

[rd2007]

true 'dat

I'm glad I can't comprehend how some people's minds work..

[daluu]

Thanks for the input. I've never lost a valve cap and really drove in the rain, over a puddle, etc. so wanted to get some input on that.

And I've never lost a valve cap myself when checking the pressure or have it get stolen, except I seem to have bad luck with car dealers. Buy a car or take it in for maintenance/oil change, and every so often, one tire has a missing valve cap after I get it back. Never recalled having that happen at non-dealer car repair facilities. Maybe the dealer mechanics are overworked, forgetful, or they like to "steal" our valve caps to save or make some $?

Rather than complain to the dealer (did once and but didn't seem to improve their service thereafter), just learned to deal with it and always have a pack of valve caps in the car in case one or more were missing.

[JosephV55]

Originally Posted by daluu

If a tire pressure valve cap was missing on a tire and you drove it during a time of moderate (perhaps maybe heavy) rain, would water get in the tire?

No. If that happened then a bigger concern would be air escaping.

If you lived in the land of ice 'n snow the possibility exists the valve
could ice up and become inoperable.

[Hedgehog_Mom]

The original post is three years old...still an interesting topic though.

I don't think those caps do much of anything at all. I don't use them on our bikes (because I am checking tire pressure on my bike every day and on the kids bikes every three days) and have never had a tire problem from not using them. We've never had a tire problem on our vehicles from not using them either...I have had a leaky tire valve but that didn't have to do with the little cap, the valve stem was somehow loose.