A leaking tyre valve might seem minor, but it can seriously affect tyre pressure, handling, and overall road safety. In this guide, we explain what causes tyre valve leaks, how to recognise the signs, and the best steps to repair or replace a faulty valve before it leads to bigger problems.
When it comes to car maintenance, keeping your tyres filled with enough air is one of the biggest tasks on any vehicle owners checklist. Prolonged driving, lumps and bumps on the road, and even changing air temperatures and climate conditions can all impact the pressure reading on car tyres – with drivers urged to check in with their tyres regularly to ensure they are safe and fit for the road.
Tyre pressure is measured by fixing a pressure gage to the tyre valve. You can set the machine – often found at most UK fuel stations – to the ideal pressure for your tyres and then automatically add air or take some away, based on the current reading.
But all of this relies on the tyre valve working properly – both accepting air and holding it safely in the tyres without leaking. Which leaves us wondering, what happens if that valve becomes damaged and starts to leak air?
What Causes a Leaky Valve?
There are several reasons why a valve might start to leak air – most of which revolve around time and a lack of proper care.
If the valve becomes clogged with debris, it may prevent the valve from closing properly and therefore lead to a steady and gradual loss of air.
Similarly, if the tyre valve becomes corroded over time, the seal can become compromised and damaged – leading to air loss.
Over-tightening the cap in your valve can also cause damage if excessive pressure is put on the valve, causing the seal to become dislodged and impacted.
All of these are common reasons why a tyre valve may start to leak air. But what are the signs that something is wrong and what can you do about it?
Signs and Symptoms of a Leaking Tyre Valve
If your tyre valve starts to leak, you will notice that the pressure in your tyres is regularly and continuously dropping.
You may also hear a hissing noise if you get close to your tyre to inspect it, making this a good way to confirm potential damage and understand where the air loss is coming from.
NOTE: Pressure loss in your tyres can impact your control over the vehicle, and may lead to issues with handling, braking, and steering. In short, it impacts the safety and integrity of your vehicle and leaves you more susceptible to a blowout on potholed or bumpy road surfaces.
How to Fix a Leaking Valve
If your tyre valve is leaking, you either need to rectify the issue and repair it or replace the valve on the tyre completely.
The best course of action will depend on how damaged the valve is and what the cause of the damage is.
If the valve is corroded or clogged with dirt and debris, this is fairly straightforward fix. Gently clean the valve until the cap screws on properly and see if it holds the air better.
However, if the core of the valve has been damaged as a result of wear and tear or over-tightening, the chances are that it will need to be replaced. Professional tyre fitters may be able to replace the valve or the core inside the valve, so that the tyre is still usable.
TOP TIP: If you think the valve is damaged, take some time to check the quality of the tyre itself and its tread depth. If tyres are nearing the end of their life anyway, it may be easier to skip straight to a tyre replacement, rather than sourcing a tyre professional to fix the valve and paying for this service.
