Do you need special valve caps for TPMS?

The sensor’s inside the wheel, the valve stem is out so you can check tire pressure and add and delete as needed. Number 1, don’t use metal caps on these aluminum valve stems, use plastic caps.

Are tire pressure caps necessary?

The tire valve stem cap is a critical component of the tire because it helps maintain tire pressure. Every tire has a Schrader valve; this valve is necessary to keep tires inflated. The tire valve cap acts as a cap for the Schrader valve. Without the tire cap, the Schrader valve is not completely leak proof.

Why are some tire valve stem caps green?

Green caps on tire valve stems usually mean the tires are filled with nitrogen instead of ordinary air.

Are all valve caps the same size?

However, it may cause internal damage to the tire if the exposed Schrader valve gets damaged. Luckily, it is not an expensive part to replace, as most stem caps are one-size-fits-all, and you can pick a pack up online for a couple bucks.

Do metal valve caps interfere with TPMS?

Nothing to do with TPMS. The TPMS module just happens to be also attached to the valve stem to avoid the need for rims with a separate mounting point for the TPMS sensor. Metal caps can get corrosion between the cap and stem, that’s the only issue.

What do gray valve stem caps mean?

Green caps mean nitrogen filled tires, the advantage of having the nitrogen filled tires is the nitrogen is less likely to migrate through the rubber. If the cap is gray (or black) and matches the hubcap it means it’s just regular compressed air, not nitrogen. You can identify tires with nitrogen.

Will my tires lose air without the cap?

While a missing valve stem cap may seem harmless, it can lead to loss of air pressure. Without a cap, dirt and debris will enter the valve stem where it can break through the seal. When this occurs, air will leak out of the tire through the valve stem.

What do red valve stem caps mean?

Red means too low; yellow means too high. When the cap is black, you’re good to go. One catch, though: these things have to be tuned for your tire’s optimal PSI before they leave the factory, which means if you want to swap them onto a different car or you buy different tires, you might need a new set.

What happens if I lose the cap to my tire?

Even though you will be fine to drive with a missing air valve cap, we recommend replacing it when you get the chance so that you can keep dust and debris out of your tires. Metal caps can corrode over time and fuse to the stem, and removing it will become extremely difficult when you need to refill your tires.