Mark Dicker

Keep your stem lubed.

I just thought i’d post a warning to anyone who has pressure sensing valves on their car.  DO NOT use aluminium dustcaps without using something like vaseline to prevent them from sticking.  I have just learned the hard (expensive) way that the dust caps effectively weld themselves to the valve stems which then snap when you try to remove the cap.  One snapped at the garage which meant changing the wheel on the forecourt, the other 2 snapped at home whilst i tried to work them loose.  Only 1 didn’t fail.

So not only did I have to by 3 new valves but I also needed to get them fitted.  With 1 flat you can put on the spare and drive down to your local tyre fitter, but 3 flats!  I’ve had to get them repaired 1 by 1, moving the spare around the car whilst each wheel is repaired.  Fortunately we have another car, unfortunately  I found that my car wheels do not fit in the boot and required the back seat to be folded down.

So if you’ve got those type of valves on your car either use some vaseline and lube up your stem or stick a rubber cap on it for protection.