QUICK TIP: WHY YOU SHOULD NEVER USE ALL METAL TIRE VALVE STEM CAPS!

[@dans_Learning_Curve]

Galvanic corrosion! Dissimilar metals.

[@jtr990]

I couldn't agree more. These valve caps are one of many automotive trends that are a total inconvenience for everyone.

[@gatdelporco]

Metal caps with gasket are better than plastic ones, but chromed (perhaps nickel plated?) brass are the way to go. YMMV if you live in an area where lots of salt is used in winter

[@ghp0518]

I used some lithium grease on the threads to prevent sticking. PS don't use copper grease because that doesn't react good with aluminum

[@kensingtonchubb]

I used them, even after using grease. Got stuck! Ended up getting new valves! Never again

[@FYDreamr]

I hate plastic caps. I was recommended to use brass caps and not aluminum. So I purchased a set of brass ones and they've been on my tires for almost 3 years without any issues.

[@louhess6355]

You are absolutely correct I've had that happen when I went to air up a low tire form a nail. I could not get the aluminum cap Off. I almost destroyed the valve stem getting the bad cap off . I Change the rest of them immediately.

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

This customer had this issue on all four wheels. Luckily, I was able to save them without damage. I did replace all of them with plastic.

[@iamaj8]

I have this feeling that what if it exploded while im heating the valve 😢 is it safe to really heat it? Just making sure though 😅

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

I only put enough heat through it to warm it up not enough to make it explode hence the small little torch.

[@iamaj8]

@@TheEnthusiastMechanic alright. Im going to try it now. Im a first time driver thats why im that worried. Thank you for understanding sir! 🙂

[@ChangGang]

Wish I knew this before I did the same mistake smh

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

It happens not a lot of people are aware of this issue.

[@playharder1435]

I went to put air in a metal stem because the car sat 2 years; pushed on the air and snap! It broke clean off. Wheel off, tire off, new stem time. 🥵

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

Very common now they are going back to brass stems that are rubber lined like the old school ones they are phasing out all metal

[@briancunningham5943]

I have this very same issue at present with all 4 wheels as I stupidly put 4 metal valve caps on my car approx 6 - 8 months ago that I bought online coz I thought they looked nice and sporty! 🙄 Went to put air in my tires last week and all 4 valves are stuck and won't budge so can't get them off or put any air in tyres either now. Have tried WD40 and pliers on them but still nothing. Any advice or suggestions on how to get them off I would greatly appreciate? Never ever putting metal valves on my car again either when I do finally get them off. Lesson learned big time. 🙄😭

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

I have a video on how to remove them on my channel

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/iqGWlYmLlL-mnsk

[@JUKE179r]

metal caps looks cool but a PITA to remove.

[@ViciousXUSMC]

Any issue with heavier caps on rubber stems? I recall people having valve stem failures back in the day when the led blink lights were still trendy. I was thinking about getting the TPMS caps for my motorcyle and I am hesitant to do that because of the size/weight and the fact I have rubber stems. One product specifically said only to use on metal stems, but all the other clones dont say that, and most people are saying its not a problem. But if that was the case why would the one brand have the warning.. I think the other companies just dont care and are selling unsafe products and the people that say its fine just dont know any better.

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

Those TPMS reading caps are actually quite small. I have a customer that had some on his vehicle and I was surprised by how tiny they were.

[@ViciousXUSMC]

@@TheEnthusiastMechanic Thanks for your input. On the track my bike can go 200mph but on the street, I guess I'll have to take a judgment call between the risk of a slow leak vs the risk of being lazy and not checking my tire pressure. They are about the size of a penny in diameter, mostly plastic but of course have the metal button battery. My stems are straight vertical, id think that's better than the ones angles or 90 degrees. I did find a few horror stories lol, but that's always possible if your looking for it.

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

@ViciousXUSMC have you ever thought of converting it to a metallic stem I know you can do that on bikes

[@piranhalegify]

How about wd40 or vaseline on the threads before install them?

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

WD dries up and I believe Vaseline inflames rubber,if you find a set with a plastic sleeve would be best or not to use them.

[@jorenswesselo]

Put some copper grease on them before you put them on !!!!

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

That’ll work but it can get messy!

[@jorenswesselo]

@@TheEnthusiastMechanic if messy you've used too much !

[@ghp0518]

copper grease doesn't react well with aluminum, lithium grease is compatible with aluminum and leaves a more durable film, just make sure you don't spray on the inside of the valve , just the threads

[@wagnerj01]

Truth!

[@johnd9541]

Use dielectric grease when installing these caps to eliminate/reduce corrosion/binding. Loosen the caps every 2 months to work the threads.

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

That is great advice, but at that point, you’re basically working for your wheel caps which seems a little bit too much for what they do for your car lol

[@johnd9541]

@@TheEnthusiastMechanic can't really call loosening your caps occasionally as work really. Should be checking air pressure monthly anyways.

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

@@johnd9541 I do agree, but I also think about how TPMS sensors have made people more lazy realistically nobody really checks their pressure anymore until that little light comes up on the dash

[@natalieangelo54]

I bought these bling valve caps from amazon omg they all wont come off what do i do ???😢

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

Can’t get them off you gotta replace the valve if heat doesn’t work

[@RainyLake1992]

Yea I made same mistake. Valve stem 🙏 🪦

[@natalieangelo54]

My car is 2004 toyota corolla no sensors on my car, also i dont have a mini torch

[@TheEnthusiastMechanic]

You’re gonna have to go to the tire shop and replace your valve then

[@natalieangelo54]

How about grinding it down with my dremmel tool

[@randym4917]

The problem only arises if the valve stem is brass and the caps are a different metal. Aluminum caps are by far the worst dissimilar metal you could use. If you use brass metal caps on brass valve stems you should not experience the problem.