Introduction

What Should I Do When My Tire Leaks Or Fails? Tire pressure drops by about 1 psi per month without any action on your part, so keep an eye on them. You may have a slow tyre leak if you notice your tyre losing air at a slower rate than usual. A flat or underinflated tyre can develop slowly from air leakage. 

It can be difficult to pinpoint the location of the leak, and unlike with a large flat tyre, you probably won’t hear any hissing sounds. There are many places in a tyre where air could be slowly escaping, making it difficult to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Resulting In A Slow Air Leak In The Tyres

It’s a common question among motorists: “Why do my tyres keep losing air?” But the reasons for a slowly leaking tyre can range from tiny punctures to damage to the wheel or valve stem. No matter the reason, stopping air leakage is crucial. It’s risky to continue driving on a slowly leaking tyre because it will worsen the tire’s condition and reduce the vehicle’s handling.

The Following Are The Causes Of Slow-Leak Tyres

Punctured Tires

There is no guarantee that a flat tyre will result from a puncture. Nails, screws, rocks, shards of glass, and other pointy road debris can all puncture a tyre but keep it “functional” for a while despite the air slowly escaping. 

On other occasions, a sharp object may puncture and fall out, but the wound may be so minor that it goes unnoticed at first. Revive auto repair experts might be able to patch your tyre if it is still in relatively good condition and the puncture is fixable. 

If the hole in the tyre is fixed quickly, the problem could be solved with a simple tyre patch and plug.

Cheating Of The Valve Stem

Tire pressure is adjusted via the valve stem, which is attached to the wheel. Inflate or deflate your tyres with ease using this opening. The valve stem core and the valve stem cap make up the bulk of this valve stem’s multiple components. 

Air leakage can occur if dirt and debris become lodged around the valve stem core and the cap is misplaced. Moisture, road salt, chemicals, and age can all contribute to valve stem corrosion, brittleness, and cracking.

Any time you buy new tyres, it’s a good idea to get new valve stems as well. In this way, you can avoid having to deal with the frustration of a slowly developing tyre leak. 

That’s why, whenever we put on a set of new tyres, the mechanics at Revive Auto Care swap out the rubber valve stems or put in the TPMS service kits.

 

 

Fluid Sewage At The Tire Rim And Head

Slow tyre leaks are also common where the tyre bead meets the wheel rim.When properly inflated, a tyre that has a bead that fits snugly around the rim will maintain its air pressure. 

Road salt and other aggressive agents can corrode the rim, creating tiny crevices through which air can escape through the bead-rim connection. Wheel damage can also cause rim leaks. A damaged rim could be the source of slow leaks after striking a curb or a pothole. 

Tire bead leaks can have a wide variety of causes, but the mechanics at Revive Auto Care can find the root of the problem and fix it. Tire bead reseating, wheel replacement, and tyre replacement are all options. Wheel replacement isn’t necessary for every tyre bead leak.

Fatigue Normale

Normal wear and tear over a tire’s lifetime can cause damage. There are times when replacing tyres is the only option. Loss of tread depth on tyres can cause unsafe driving conditions due to decreased traction. 

But old, worn tyres can develop tiny cracks that let air escape. Depending on the tire’s condition, the vehicle manufacturer, the driver’s habits, and the road conditions in the area, tyres should be replaced anywhere from every 25,000 miles to every 50,000 miles.

Methods For Addressing An Undetected Tire Leak

Constant air loss from a single tyre indicates a leak. Discovering a leak is easily remedied by sealing it, pumping in air, and continuing on. 

Unfortunately, not all tyre leaks are obvious, which makes it more challenging to fix a persistent problem. Some methods are outlined below for locating and mending such a leak.

Fill The Affected Tyre With Air

Inflate your tyres to the PSI specifications detailed in your owner’s manual, on the placard attached to the inside of the driver’s door jamb, or on the inside of the glove box.

If you want a precise reading, inflate the tyre when it’s cold. Inflate all of your car’s tyres to the correct pressure, including the spare.

Observe With Attention

If the affected tyre keeps losing air at a higher rate than the others, you likely have a leak. Most air leaks can be located simply by visually inspecting the tyre for obvious signs of damage (a nail sticking out, a hole, or a cut) and then listening to or feeling around the tyre for air release. 

Small punctures can be repaired with tyre repair patches, but if the damage is to the tire’s shoulder or sidewall, you’ll need to replace the tire.

Test The Tyre For Leaks By Immersing It In Water

Some leaks are invisible to the naked eye, but you can locate them in one of two ways. Put a soap and water mixture on the damaged tyre first. The affected region will likely bubble up if a leak is present.

In addition, you can always free the tyre from the car and soak it in water. As soon as bubbles begin to form, you’ll know exactly where the leak is coming from.

Find The Malfunctioning Part

It’s not the tyre that’s to blame for a leaking vehicle. If the tyre is in perfect condition, there are still two other potential causes of a flat.

The first cause of air loss through the valve base or body is a damaged valve stem.

The second possible issue is a flawed wheel mounting surface. Potholes and corrosion are two ways it can be harmed.

These two concealed issues are revealed when either the tyre is submerged in water or subjected to the soap-and-water test.

 

 

Conclusion

There are two options for fixing a leaking tire. If the tyre is at fault, most minor leaks can be repaired with a tube sealant kit.

Second, if the leak isn’t caused by the tyre, a damaged wheel or a worn valve stem can be replaced to solve the problem.

FAQ

Can I Drive With A Leaking Tire?

When travelling at higher speeds, a slow leak in a tyre can be extremely hazardous. As soon as the puncture is discovered, a tyre expert should inspect the tyre. The blowout could cause you to lose control of the vehicle, which could lead to you or other people on the road being hurt.

Why Do I Keep Getting Leaks In My Tires?

Over time, valve stems wear out and allow air to leak out. It usually happens when chemicals get into your tyre valve while you’re driving. The majority of people who replace their tyres also replace the valve stems.

Is It Better To Drive Fast Or Slow On A Leaking Tire?

In either case, you’ll travel a total of 80.4 km (50 miles). However, you should take it easy on the gas pedal when driving with a flat tyre because you won’t have much in the way of grip or longevity. As if the inconvenience of a flat tyre weren’t enough, driving on a damaged tyre increases the risk of an accident.

Do Tires Naturally Leak Air?

Air loss of 1-3 psi per month is considered normal, but tyres should still be checked and re-inflated on a regular basis. A loss of 6-18 psi after 6 months of neglecting tyre inflation is significant given that the most common recommended rate is 30-35 psi.

 

Revive Auto Repair

2888 E Maple Rd, Troy, MI 48083
Phone: 248-817-5370
https://www.ReviveAutoRepair.com
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