Tire pressure not holding
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CA
Tire pressure not holding
Hello,
Thank you in advance, since I'm not the "most technical" chap.
The front tires on my 2006 SC430 seem as if they are not holding tire pressure. The front tires drop from about 40psi to 30psi after two weeks. The tires not Lexus run flats, they are Continentals. Another issue is the front right tire is hard to fill up with air. That valve stem seems finicky or delicate when I try to hold the Chevron air pump hose on it.
Any thought, ides, suggestions?
With appreciation,
Sandler
Thank you in advance, since I'm not the "most technical" chap.
The front tires on my 2006 SC430 seem as if they are not holding tire pressure. The front tires drop from about 40psi to 30psi after two weeks. The tires not Lexus run flats, they are Continentals. Another issue is the front right tire is hard to fill up with air. That valve stem seems finicky or delicate when I try to hold the Chevron air pump hose on it.
Any thought, ides, suggestions?
With appreciation,
Sandler
2nd gear
Joined: Jan 2023
Posts: 2
Likes: 2
From: SC
Loss of air
Water submersion testing is the old school approach to rule out (or rule in) a punctured tire, cracked rim, or faulty TPMS valve. Old school, but not tried and true. As slow a leak as you have, water submersion my not show a bubble unless you inflate the tire well over the recommended p.s.i.
My 2003 had the same pressure loss pattern on the left front and once a week I routinely filled to 33 p.s.i, drove it, added a pound or two upon returning home, and added several more pounds the following Saturday. None of the reputable tire shops I tried could ever find a leak and it wasn’t until I bought new tires that the pattern was eliminated.
How old are your tires? Depending on whether or not the car is stored indoors or outside, could lead to tire dry rot — and the potential for air leaks. Tire manufacturers typically recommend a point in time when tires should be replaced due to age versus wear. Mine were replaced at seven years of age with less than 10,000 miles and plenty of tread. Better to be safe than experience a blowout.
GPG
My 2003 had the same pressure loss pattern on the left front and once a week I routinely filled to 33 p.s.i, drove it, added a pound or two upon returning home, and added several more pounds the following Saturday. None of the reputable tire shops I tried could ever find a leak and it wasn’t until I bought new tires that the pattern was eliminated.
How old are your tires? Depending on whether or not the car is stored indoors or outside, could lead to tire dry rot — and the potential for air leaks. Tire manufacturers typically recommend a point in time when tires should be replaced due to age versus wear. Mine were replaced at seven years of age with less than 10,000 miles and plenty of tread. Better to be safe than experience a blowout.
GPG
Pole Position
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 3,116
Likes: 659
From: AZ
Have you had a chance to look at your tires? Park your car and turn your steering wheel all the way to the right. Look at the tires. You are looking for a nail or similar. I think you probably have a nail in your tire that is mostly holding in air, but letting a little out.
If you don't see it, turn your steering wheel all the way to the left and check the other side of the tire.
If nothing obvious is showing, then get a spray bottle with dishwashing soap and water in it. Spray it on your tire stem generously and see if bubbles forms. If they do, your tire stem is leaking. If there are no bubbles, spray your tire and see if you see any bubbles. As @NEWONE1 mentioned, you want to make sure you spray where the rim meets the tire and see if there is a small leak from your tire being out of round.
If you find a nail, go to discount tire and ask them if they can patch the tire. They will do that for free, even if you didn't buy it from them. However, if it is a spot it can't be patched, they will happily sell you a new tire.
If you want, you can probably so a search for "Leaking Tire" on youtube.com and watch a video on how people find the leaks
If you don't see it, turn your steering wheel all the way to the left and check the other side of the tire.
If nothing obvious is showing, then get a spray bottle with dishwashing soap and water in it. Spray it on your tire stem generously and see if bubbles forms. If they do, your tire stem is leaking. If there are no bubbles, spray your tire and see if you see any bubbles. As @NEWONE1 mentioned, you want to make sure you spray where the rim meets the tire and see if there is a small leak from your tire being out of round.
If you find a nail, go to discount tire and ask them if they can patch the tire. They will do that for free, even if you didn't buy it from them. However, if it is a spot it can't be patched, they will happily sell you a new tire.
If you want, you can probably so a search for "Leaking Tire" on youtube.com and watch a video on how people find the leaks
Pole Position
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,271
Likes: 204
From: New York
Over time the tires can start leaking by where the tire bead meets the rim. The tire shop will remove the tire, clean the around the rim, sometimes with a wheel brush, and remount the tire. That should take care of any small leaks.
Intermediate
Joined: Aug 2021
Posts: 464
Likes: 202
From: VA
If you have the chrome wheels they are a know issue leaking strings the tire beads. As the chrome delaminates from the alloy it's alerts the air to escape. Mine did leak but when i replaced my tires a year or so ago they cleared the beads and now it's fine.
Pit Crew
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 246
Likes: 79
From: VA
This, if you have chrome wheels
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
10th Gear
Joined: Jul 2016
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
From: CA
Water submersion testing is the old school approach to rule out (or rule in) a punctured tire, cracked rim, or faulty TPMS valve. Old school, but not tried and true. As slow a leak as you have, water submersion my not show a bubble unless you inflate the tire well over the recommended p.s.i.
My 2003 had the same pressure loss pattern on the left front and once a week I routinely filled to 33 p.s.i, drove it, added a pound or two upon returning home, and added several more pounds the following Saturday. None of the reputable tire shops I tried could ever find a leak and it wasn’t until I bought new tires that the pattern was eliminated.
How old are your tires? Depending on whether or not the car is stored indoors or outside, could lead to tire dry rot — and the potential for air leaks. Tire manufacturers typically recommend a point in time when tires should be replaced due to age versus wear. Mine were replaced at seven years of age with less than 10,000 miles and plenty of tread. Better to be safe than experience a blowout.
GPG
My 2003 had the same pressure loss pattern on the left front and once a week I routinely filled to 33 p.s.i, drove it, added a pound or two upon returning home, and added several more pounds the following Saturday. None of the reputable tire shops I tried could ever find a leak and it wasn’t until I bought new tires that the pattern was eliminated.
How old are your tires? Depending on whether or not the car is stored indoors or outside, could lead to tire dry rot — and the potential for air leaks. Tire manufacturers typically recommend a point in time when tires should be replaced due to age versus wear. Mine were replaced at seven years of age with less than 10,000 miles and plenty of tread. Better to be safe than experience a blowout.
GPG
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post