SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Tire inflator air compressor may not work with TPMS
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
Tire inflator air compressor may not work with TPMS
If you have the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), the emergency tire inflator air compressor supplied with your car may not work. I've discovered that there may not be enough threads on the TPMS valve stems to allow the air compressor fitting to screw down tight enough on the valve stem to seal properly. You can let air out of the tire, but you can't pump air in. Clever, huh?
There is some variance between valve stems. I get a better seal on some of the wheels than others, so this may not be a problem with every car with TPMS.
My local dealer was unaware of this issue. He suggested picking up a valve stem extender from a local auto store and using this as an adapter between the air pump and the wheel. I expect you could also file down the brass fitting on the end of the air compressor hose to make it "shorter", allowing it to seal against the valve stem before it ran out of threads.
Has anyone else seen this problem?
There is some variance between valve stems. I get a better seal on some of the wheels than others, so this may not be a problem with every car with TPMS.
My local dealer was unaware of this issue. He suggested picking up a valve stem extender from a local auto store and using this as an adapter between the air pump and the wheel. I expect you could also file down the brass fitting on the end of the air compressor hose to make it "shorter", allowing it to seal against the valve stem before it ran out of threads.
Has anyone else seen this problem?
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Indianapolis, IN
2006 Gallardo 6-speed, 2005 SL55, BMW X3
The valve extender trick works. Screw the extender onto the valve stem first, then screw on the inflator hose to the extender. No leaks!
I picked up some at the local Pep Boys. Just make sure to get the metal extenders. The cheap plastic ones don't have threads on both ends.
I picked up some at the local Pep Boys. Just make sure to get the metal extenders. The cheap plastic ones don't have threads on both ends.
