ValveStem Caps
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 243
Likes: 13
From: Conroe Texas
ValveStem Caps
Just asking. Picked up my new 2017 GS last week and noticed it has metal valve stem caps, which is not a problem, but the caps have a very distinct green dot on the center of the caps. Are these OEM or just replacements added.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
Note, you do have to be cautious with metal caps that they do not cause galvanic corrosion.
My factory caps in 2014 were also small gray caps.
I had a couple "disappear" in the parking lot so I had to round up some duplicates...BTW, you can buy the same gray caps on Ebay for less than 1 cent each, but they sell them in lots, probably just to be able to recover the shipping cost.
Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Dec 11, 2017 at 01:59 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,244
Likes: 122
From: st paul minnesota
To the OP, if you bought the car new I assume there was an additional charge for the nitrogen fill? Was that something you requested or just another example of dealer profit add-ons? I would at least ask for your OEM caps back.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,085
Likes: 710
From: Sunnyvale CA
My GUESS is that N2 is from the factory. I'm not sure why a dealer would install N2 if not required to for other reasons (my dealer had to replace all 4 tires because my car sat in sub-freezing rail yard for 3 weeks before delivery).
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
^ I don't know about the OP, however my C7 GS came with the above valve caps (photo) with no additional charge or any indication that caps or the nitrogen was dealer installed.
I can't imagine why a dealer would let the existing air out of the tires and re-fill with nitrogen and exchange the valve caps? I assume the nitrogen and valve caps came from the factory.
I can't imagine why a dealer would let the existing air out of the tires and re-fill with nitrogen and exchange the valve caps? I assume the nitrogen and valve caps came from the factory.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,134
Likes: 17,984
From: DFW Area TX
Unless things have changed, the factory does NOT fill with Nitrogen. There is no incentive for the factory to pay for Nitrogen vs using compressed air that, hopefully, has a dryer to remove water vapor. Many dealers do deflate and refill with Nitrogen. They the put on their own caps. Many try to charge for the Nitrogen service, some do not. My Cadillac dealer provides Nitrogen fill for free and has for several years.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,587
Likes: 90
They do not install it at the factory either. OEM caps are now a thin gray plastic type. Not good. What you have is some type after market type.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
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Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
Last edited by Kevin A Jones; Dec 11, 2017 at 02:52 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 13,602
Likes: 12,865
From: Virginia
Unless things have changed, the factory does NOT fill with Nitrogen. There is no incentive for the factory to pay for Nitrogen vs using compressed air that, hopefully, has a dryer to remove water vapor. Many dealers do deflate and refill with Nitrogen. They the put on their own caps. Many try to charge for the Nitrogen service, some do not. My Cadillac dealer provides Nitrogen fill for free and has for several years.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,762
Likes: 1,017
From: MOUNTAIN HOME Arkansas
Of course anyone can put those Nitrogen caps on & then charge for the upgrade w/o actually putting in Nitrogen. I know, what dealer would do such a thing!
They should use Helium, then all the track guys would be happy their car is lighter.
They should use Helium, then all the track guys would be happy their car is lighter.