We are always in a hurry to get somewhere. Our busy lives keep us driving all over town, and the last thing we need is a flat tire. We don’t usually spend much time worrying about our tires until there is an issue like losing air. By then, it’s too late and we can’t reach our destination in a broken-down car.
Tire pressure is significant for several reasons, most importantly safety. Over time, the tire eventually becomes flat while driving. It’s safer to get your tire fixed when you notice it losing air rather than an emergency tire change on the road. Also, your car tires will wear down when underinflated, causing the life span or the tire to decrease. Tire pressure can affect the load capacity of your vehicle as well as fuel consumption.
There are a host of reasons why you could be losing tire pressure. Let’s go over some of the most common reasons why your tires might keep losing air:
Hole In The Sidewall or Tread
This is the one we first think of when experiencing an underinflated tire. You may have run over a sharp, rigid object and punctured the tire. A punctured tire can slowly be losing air all day. Even if the loss is slow, leaving a nail in a tire can cause bigger problems if not fixed right away. It’s better to replace them with new tires as soon as the problem arises.
Damaged Wheel
Sometimes, you come in contact with curbs and other solid objects that can bend the tire and rim. This could warp the round shape and cause vibration, damaging the tire’s bead and losing air. Corrosion, where the tire is mounted, can make matters worse when there is an impact on the tire.
Corroded Wheel Bead
Some wheels are more susceptible to corrosion and rust. If the rim and bead are corroded, you can develop a slow leak in the tire. It may also change the round shape of the tire. Unfortunately, the condition will only get worse with time.
If the damage is severe, you must get new wheels, not just tires. For smaller corrosion, a tire professional may be able to remove the corrosion and stop any further damage. Sometimes, the bead is improperly set on the rim during a wheel service, leading to leaks.
Valve Stem
Your valve stem is the place where you fill up your tires. Some of the chemicals on roads, including road salt, can deteriorate the valve stem and cause it to losing air. This makes the rubber and plastic brittle. You will likely notice consistent losing air in all four tires. If this happens, you will need to replace them. Missing or stolen stem caps can also contribute to air loss, so check periodically to make sure they are on.
Changes in Temperature
You may not realize it, but with every 10-degree dip in the temperature, you can lose around 2% of the air in your tire. The opposite happens when the temp goes up. The air expands and contracts with the temperature and this is completely normal. These pressure changes will even out during the day. Don’t panic if your tires seem underinflated in the morning.
Hitting Potholes And Curbs
While you try to drive defensively and with caution, you can’t trust what is around the corner. You may end up with a tight turn that you weren’t prepared for or a rough road with large potholes. As you make contact to this degree, it will cause your tire to flex and lose some air. This will be pretty minimal. If you are constantly driving on bad roads or hitting the curb frequently, check the tire pressure. While you are looking at the tire, check for any damage, slashes, or bulging as well.
If you think you may have a tire leak, check the tire yourself by using soapy water. Wash over the sidewalls and tread and look for bubbles. This means that air is escaping and you need to go to the shop right away for a repair or tire replacement.
Having a tire that is losing air isn’t fun. You have to take time out of your busy day and go get it repaired. You can go to the gas station every day and fill it up, but you have to deal with it at some point. The last thing you need is to come out to your vehicle and the tire is completely flat. Take the time to get it fixed and then you can go about your life, confident in your ride.
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