Tire Valve Cap Question ?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,021
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From: Salisbury Maryland
Tire Valve Cap Question ?
Had new wheels put on my vette about a month ago and I had after market valve caps on old wheels and they told me not to use them because they affect the tire sensors, they put plastic valve caps on them and said this is what should be used. Is it true that valve caps affect the tire sensors ?
Racer
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 275
Likes: 2
From: Tucson Arizona
Did they try to keep your nice Corvette Logo ones like the azzhole at Discount tire did with mine?
Put cheap-azzed chrome plastic shi-ite on my Corvette?
Not a chance.
For one thing the threaded tube in the TPMS is metal, the valve-cores are metal, and the nuts holding them in are metal. The likelihood of a metal valve cap having some effect are pretty low.
Put cheap-azzed chrome plastic shi-ite on my Corvette?
Not a chance.
For one thing the threaded tube in the TPMS is metal, the valve-cores are metal, and the nuts holding them in are metal. The likelihood of a metal valve cap having some effect are pretty low.
Had new wheels put on my vette about a month ago and I had after market valve caps on old wheels and they told me not to use them because they affect the tire sensors, they put plastic valve caps on them and said this is what should be used. Is it true that valve caps affect the tire sensors ?
Last edited by The Mountain Kat; Jan 21, 2012 at 12:16 PM. Reason: Grammar
Racer
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 268
Likes: 6
From: Barstow Ca
I would put your metal caps back on. All the cap is for is to keep dirt and debris out of the core and to make sure something doesn't get in to depress it so your tire won't go flat. I see no way that a valve cap would affect a sensor inside the wheel.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 166
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From: Naples, FL -/- Oxford, England
Aluminum
I'm pretty sure the TPMS valve bodies and correct valve caps are aluminum, though the design is similar to the regular brass item. I have speculated that this might be a way to keep the weight down, what with the sensor inside the wheel also, thereby reducing the out of balance force.
Aluminum has a habit of reacting with dis-similar metals (electrolytic corrosion) in the presence of water, especially salty water, so it may be wise to use the OEM valve caps.
Aluminum has a habit of reacting with dis-similar metals (electrolytic corrosion) in the presence of water, especially salty water, so it may be wise to use the OEM valve caps.
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I'd say they are giving you a line of 
. I've run metal caps on all my Corvettes that had the tire pressure monitoring system and never had a problem with the TPS.
. I've run metal caps on all my Corvettes that had the tire pressure monitoring system and never had a problem with the TPS.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,021
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
Did they try to keep your nice Corvette Logo ones like the azzhole at Discount tire did with mine?
Put cheap-azzed chrome plastic shi-ite on my Corvette?
Not a chance.
For one thing the threaded tube in the TPMS is metal, the valve-cores are metal, and the nuts holding them in are metal. The likelihood of a metal valve cap having some effect are pretty low.
Put cheap-azzed chrome plastic shi-ite on my Corvette?
Not a chance.
For one thing the threaded tube in the TPMS is metal, the valve-cores are metal, and the nuts holding them in are metal. The likelihood of a metal valve cap having some effect are pretty low.
Last edited by billmiller8; Jan 21, 2012 at 02:27 PM.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 717
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From: Pleasanton CA
Had new wheels put on my vette about a month ago and I had after market valve caps on old wheels and they told me not to use them because they affect the tire sensors, they put plastic valve caps on them and said this is what should be used. Is it true that valve caps affect the tire sensors ?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,905
Likes: 10
From: Jesuit Bend Louisiana
I did not put that in about them keeping my custom valve caps to see if it was true what they told me, but you are right on. I got home an seen these cheap plastic gray valve caps on my new wheels. They kept my custom ones. I went back and picked up my custom ones right away and this is when they told me that they could affect the sensors. I kinda figured they were pulling my leg because they got caught and did not know what else to say. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
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The reason why they say to use plastic caps is that metal ones may freeze or seize onto the stem itself. If they do seize, chances are the stem may break from the sensor. Ive seen it a lot at work and is quite common. Same could happen if you do not have a cap on. The core in the stem may get stuck giving you the same problem.
Burning Brakes
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The reason why they say to use plastic caps is that metal ones may freeze or seize onto the stem itself. If they do seize, chances are the stem may break from the sensor. Ive seen it a lot at work and is quite common. Same could happen if you do not have a cap on. The core in the stem may get stuck giving you the same problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
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From: Salisbury Maryland
The reason why they say to use plastic caps is that metal ones may freeze or seize onto the stem itself. If they do seize, chances are the stem may break from the sensor. Ive seen it a lot at work and is quite common. Same could happen if you do not have a cap on. The core in the stem may get stuck giving you the same problem.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,021
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From: Salisbury Maryland
