Caution-Frozen Valve Stem Caps
03-29-2010, 09:10 AM
#1
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
Caution-Frozen Valve Stem Caps
Yesterday I wanted to check the tire pressure on my wife's BMW X3 that came wirth a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS). When I tried to unscrew the first metal BMW valve stem cap it was frozen and the rest were the same. I couldn't even get it off with a pliar and may have stripped the head. So I called the dealer this morning and they said you should not put metal valve stem caps on a car with TPMS because they will freeze/rust in place. Trust me, it's TRUE! You should only use plastic or rubber valve stem caps. I also have AMG metal caps on my SL (my BS does not have TPMS) which explains why they are so difficult to unscrew. Just a heads up to avoid a future and potentially expensive problem.
Last edited by LOVEMYBS; 03-29-2010 at 12:27 PM. Reason: edit
03-31-2010, 08:29 AM
#3
Super Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Manassas, VA
Posts: 917
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like
on
1 Post
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
Steel valve stems vs. copper and rubber for non-TPMS cars. I'm told aluminum and steel under the right environmental conditions (e.g. we just finished with a lot of snow, ice and rain in VA) will bond and forge a very tight seal.
04-01-2010, 02:22 PM
#4
Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Philly
Posts: 175
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
205, 211 V8 4M, B7 /RS4, e30 ///M3
Well I don't have tpms but I have metal valve stems and that has never happen to me. And Its been cold up here and I've been banging pot holes left n right in Philly.
