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tire valves
Tire Information World : your friendly
independent source of tire help
Why tire valves are so important
 Want to know about tire valves?
That stubby little black object you see
is a typical valve assembly, possibly identical to what is found on
your car.
It doesn't look like much but it is a
complex piece of engineering comprised of metal tubes, springs, rubber
and plastic that perform a vital task in keeping your car and it's
tires functioning as they were designed.
The following drawing will give you
some idea of the complexity and function of the valve.
Valve function
What is the valve's function? It
is used to inflate your tire or adjust the air pressure. Through
its action it automatically closes when you are not using it, however
it opens easily when you need to add or remove air from the tire to
increase or decrease the tire pressure.
A vital element
The little plastic cover at the top of
the diagram above is an essential part of your valves.
Because of its tiny size it can easily be lost or misplaced and many
drivers do not pay much attention to this detail. It is vital!
Without this cover dust, dirt, sand, water and many other foreign
elements can enter into the valve mechanism. Remember this
warning: just a single
grain of sand is enough to cause your valve to leak.
A leaky valve can cause a chronic
problem with low pressure in your tire which can lead to dangerous
control and performance problems. If you discover a valve cover
missing, have it replaced as soon as you can. If you suspect
that your valve has been contaminated by some foreign material, have a
tire technician check the valve for integrity and, if necessary,
correct the condition.
Usually correcting a dirty valve is
simple and even if it needs to be replaced they are not costly.
When to change
valves
Most professional tire dealers will
automatically change the valve when you install a new tire, however,
it is not something that you should take for granted. Ask.
If it isn't done, request that it is changed with your new tire, the
cost is minimal -- usually so low that most dealers include the valve
at no extra charge, but if you need to change a tire away from a
professional shop it is a detail you are well advised to check on.
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An assortment of tire valves for special uses
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Did you know we have a special
place to show-off your favorite wheels?
See the Hot Wheels Show Room
Return to
Care and Use
Tire Information World's
home page from tire valves.
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