Odd Tire Issue
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Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Mid-Atlantic
Odd Tire Issue
I had purchased the Michelin AS3+ in May. The tires seemed fine, but then in June I drove the car on a long trip (400 miles round trip). Most of the driving was straight highways When I got home I noticed that one of the rear tires looked low on air and I checked it, it was down to about 15lbs of pressure. The next day I checked it and did not see any leaks and spraying with soapy water didn't reveal any either. I bought the pressure up to 32 and checked it over a few days, no change. I took the car on a long trip this past weekend (500 miles round trip). When I arrived at me destination (250 miles) the same tire visually looked low so I checked it and was down to 13.5lbs. I refilled it to 35 and the next morning it was down to 33 but the tire was warm when I filled it so figured that might cause the variance. The next day we drove home and after 100 miles I stopped to check the pressure and was down 6 lbs. I bought it back up to about 33. after driving the rest of the way home (about 150miles) I was down over 10 lbs. Last night I removed the tires, sprayed the tread, rim and valve, no leaks. Checked it this morning and did not lose anything. So it seems the leak only happens under highway speed driving.
Anyone ever experience something like this? I am thinking the valve is bad or the bead isn't sealed well and the heat or friction is causing the leakage.
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 13,870
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From: Chesterfield VA
Wheel rims are a leak source as are the valve stems. My wife drove one of her Civics thru so many tire changes the tire dealer told her the next change would require the rims to be refurbished.
-- Chuck
-- Chuck
Joined: Aug 2012
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From: Foothills East of Sacramento
I second the rim issue. Take it in and find out. When tires get low like that the sidewall temperature increases leading to failure. That type of failure makes the sidewall come apart like someone used a knife all the way around in a circle. Does not take long to destroy the rims as well. Of course in your case the rims may already be shot!
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Joined: Sep 2017
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Hi all, for some odd reason that always happens to me when I buy a new set of tires for my 09 SI. I get the new ones on and for about 1 to 2 weeks the air always comes out from the same tire so I keep on filling it back up and keep on driving and after maybe 2-3 times after the air keeps on going down, I take it back to the tire shop and they check it and for the most part it is the valve. So take it back and have them check it and replace it if needed.
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: bolton
Jim, I had the similar problem on my older '09 alloy wheels on my GL.
A couple things can happen. One is oxidation ( anodization technically) which cause minute leaks around the bead.
The higher pressure when hot i.e. driving forces more air out.
The other is the clearcoat can start to crack away from the wheel.
The clearcoat forms a bridge for air to pas under the bead.
They can also throw in some goop to make it seal a little better too.
I either case removing the tire from the wheel and using a rotary wire brush should clean it up.
The problem is that you might expect it on all four wheels.
I wouldn't rule out the valve stem either but while you're doing the other things it's cheap to throw one in.
A couple things can happen. One is oxidation ( anodization technically) which cause minute leaks around the bead.
The higher pressure when hot i.e. driving forces more air out.
The other is the clearcoat can start to crack away from the wheel.
The clearcoat forms a bridge for air to pas under the bead.
They can also throw in some goop to make it seal a little better too.
I either case removing the tire from the wheel and using a rotary wire brush should clean it up.
The problem is that you might expect it on all four wheels.
I wouldn't rule out the valve stem either but while you're doing the other things it's cheap to throw one in.
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