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Valve stem cap?

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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 12:38 PM
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Default Valve stem cap?

I bought my car used, and the previous owner had put these valve stem caps that has the "L" on caps. While looking trough the car i found the plain caps and switched them out, but recently i lost one. Are these "L" caps ok to use with tpms sensors?

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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 12:59 PM
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I cant see why not...I'm sticking with the OEM caps as I heard these "L" caps look nice, but don't last as long
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:08 PM
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they should fit... i think they are a bit tacky. You should stay with the oem valve caps.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:09 PM
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They're ok. They fit and I'd put a thin towel on them and tighten with some pliers so they won't get stolen.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:10 PM
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^ I thought a certain valve cap needed to be used with the tpms.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:12 PM
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The caps have nothing to do with TPMS... you should be ok.

TPMS is basically a pressor sensor inside the tire which constantly measures and relay the PSI to the ECU. The cap sitting on the outside of the tire has nothing to do with it's function. You can even go commando and run without a cap and it should still be ok. The cap is there to prevent excessive dust and dirt trapping into the valve stem.

The only concern is some idiots stealing them. I switched my OEM Aluminum caps for plastic ones on day one. I've heard countless stories on how they manage to end up on Hondas.

Last edited by shadowman; Apr 19, 2011 at 01:15 PM.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:16 PM
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Be careful with these kind of caps since from experience they would deteriorate and thus would be difficult to twist off and would often break a stem ? With that being said it may not be worth using them and just getting the oem sets since it'll cost more $$$ to replace a stem than a cap
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by shadowman
The caps have nothing to do with TPMS... you should be ok.

TPMS is basically a pressor sensor inside the tire which constantly measures and relay the PSI to the ECU. The cap sitting on the outside of the tire has nothing to do with it's function. You can even go commando and run without a cap and it should still be ok. The cap is there to prevent excessive dust and dirt trapping into the valve stem.

The only concern is some idiots stealing them. I switched my OEM Aluminum caps for plastic ones on day one. I've heard countless stories on how they manage to end up on Hondas.
^^^ smart move... mine was stolen and now I use the "PREMIUM" black plastic valve cap. lol
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:22 PM
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Ok thanks guys. I like the oem one's better anyways. I dont care if they get stolen, as long as dont steal my wheels.
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 01:28 PM
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Yeah, I don't think valve stem caps have anything to do with TPMS so OP should be fine.

When I got my car, it had 2 of those Lexus valve caps, 1 plain aluminum cap, and 1 black plastic one...haha. Then I got new tires and since they filled them with nitogen, they put these on them:


meh, at least they match now
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 02:07 PM
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Originally Posted by cloo7
^^^ smart move... mine was stolen and now I use the "PREMIUM" black plastic valve cap. lol
Hahaha! That's what I got. No one wants to steal these bad boys!
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 02:33 PM
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Originally Posted by cloo7
^^^ smart move... mine was stolen and now I use the "PREMIUM" black plastic valve cap. lol
^^
LOL, 2 of mine were stolen after 3 weeks of purchase so I just replaced it free ones at Costco. The guy said some kids probably stole them for their bicycle...
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Old Apr 19, 2011 | 02:41 PM
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Haha, I use those too lol. I only spent a few bucks on them not worried about them getting taken but I will tighten them now that its mentioned. They had forgot to put the the orginal ones back when I purchased the car so I was using my old ones from my Equinox til I got these.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 09:57 AM
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Damn, now you guys got me all paranoid about someone steeling my Volk valve stem caps.
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Old Apr 20, 2011 | 10:47 AM
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yea my car has 2 L caps, and 2 black caps. Doesn't really bother me. It's also important to check your tire pressure every 3 months so that the cap doesn't end up sticking to the valve stem; that way they wont break on you when you do go to take them off.
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