Losing Air Pressure in Your Tires: Causes and Solutions

Constantly dealing with underinflated tires? It's not just frustrating, but also dangerous. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that low tire pressure contributes to nearly 1% of all traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Let's explore the common causes of air pressure loss and how to prevent it.

Cold Weather

Did you know that cold temperatures can make your tires lose air? For every 10°F drop, your tires can lose 1-2 PSI. So, if it gets 20°F colder overnight, you could lose up to 4 PSI in each tire. When checking tire pressures, make sure you are checking them cold to get accurate consistent readings.

Punctures

Sharp objects like nails, screws, broken glass, or rocks can puncture your tires, causing a rapid loss of air pressure. If you are experiencing a slow loss of pressure it could be the object is still lodged in the tire and slowly leaking. Regularly inspect your tires for punctures, and use soapy water to identify slow leaks more easily.

Deteriorated Valve Stems

Even with the cap on, a rubber valve stem can deteriorate and fail to create a proper seal over time, leading to air loss. Inspect and replace old, cracked valve stems.

Missing Valve Stem Caps

It's easy to lose those little valve stem caps. If you have black plastic caps they can break and fall off. But without them, dirt and debris can enter the valve stem, build up around the valve stems Schrader valve seal can cause air to leak out. Always check and replace missing caps.

Misaligned Wheel Mounting

If your tires aren't mounted properly and the bead seated it can cause air to leak through the sides, causing a gradual loss of pressure.

Maintaining proper tire inflation is crucial for safety and performance. Use quality tire gauges, inflators, repair kits, jacks, and jack stands to keep your tires in top shape. With free shipping on all orders Tooldom is the best place to get what you need to keep your tires in tip top shape.