Temps and gradual Air Loss?

[Abilor]

I've noticed recently with my stock GT tires that I lose a little air on cold mornings. If the day was in the 70s, and overnight it gets down into the 30s, I will very occasionally lose about 8 - 10 PSI overnight. This happened once on all tires during the first cold snap back in November, and never happened again until yesterday. My front right tire went from 35 to 25, just that tire. When it hits 25, it stops leaking. This happened four days ago, and then yesterday, both with big temp swings.

I visually checked the valve stem, seems okay. Haven't done the old water on the tire to see if it bubbles trick yet. Am I right in thinking it's a temp thing with new tires (less than 5000 miles), and they're just breaking in/sealing up, or could it be something more nefarious? My stealership is 75 miles away, so I don't want to have to get any warranty work done.

 

[coyfish]

ALL your tires lose pressure ?? I mean colder air is obviosly denser but that seems like too much air loss. Very unlikely to have leaks in all tires. If you dont want to drive so far you could just take it to a trusted tire shop although most will overcharge you.

 

[Abilor]

The first time it happened they were all a little soft. I chalked it up to their first experience with cold temps here in Louisiana. It never happened again after filling them back up.

Now it's just the front right that happened twice this week, both times during cold snaps, from like 80 in the day to 30 at night back to 80 in the day.

 

[GoFast]

mine did that too and it was the valve stem. the nut wasnt tight enough.

 

[Abilor]

How to fix? Possible DIY?

 

[GoFast]

yep just tighted up that little nut on the valve stem. not the valve itself, but the nut that holds the tpms sensor to the wheel. just becareful not to ovvertighten it otherwise you break the valve stem and you have to spend 70 bucks to get a new one. just give it a little snugging

 

[Kain]

If it's the valve stems and you're running the stock tire/wheel/TMPS setup, then the dealer might be able to tighten the nut on the valve stem to spec. But I'm pretty sure they'll have to dismount the tires, reseat the TPMS/valve stems (or replace), then remount everything.

 

[Abilor]

If it's the valve stems and you're running the stock tire/wheel/TMPS setup, then the dealer might be able to tighten the nut on the valve stem to spec. But I'm pretty sure they'll have to dismount the tires, reseat the TPMS/valve stems (or replace), then remount everything.

Bleh! I want to save the headache. I will try and tighten the nut myself, with the hippocratic oath in mind, "do... no... harm!"

 

[MikeHTally]

All tires lose air (true, not 10# overnight). That's why ya gotta test 'em every month or so. Here's one for ya -- I aired mine up weekend before last when it was about 22 outside. Took them to the standard pressure 34/32. Yesterday when I got home (short, slightly frisky drive and way warmer), the TPMS was alerting. Both fronts were at 38, the rears 'bout 35. I let air out to 35/33 and it stopped complaining. Didn't realize it would alert at more than normal pressure.

 

[MikeHTally]

BTW, you don't need the car dealer for Bridgestone tire service. What are they gonna do anyway? Any Bridgestone dealer should be able to deal with that for you.

 

[Abilor]

Well so far it hasn't come back. I check anytime I wash exterior, about once a month at least, and only once came up short on pressure aside from these incidents. If it continues, I will try to tighten stem nut, but otherwise I will take your advice and walk into a bridgestone store with a smile, a warranty, and $0.50 in my pocket.

 

[GoFast]

All tires lose air (true, not 10# overnight). That's why ya gotta test 'em every month or so. Here's one for ya -- I aired mine up weekend before last when it was about 22 outside. Took them to the standard pressure 34/32. Yesterday when I got home (short, slightly frisky drive and way warmer), the TPMS was alerting. Both fronts were at 38, the rears 'bout 35. I let air out to 35/33 and it stopped complaining. Didn't realize it would alert at more than normal pressure.

i dont think it was complaining because of "more than normal" pressure. It is more likely the 3'ish psi difference between one tire to the next that set if off. when you brought it with 2psi it stopped alerting. as an experiment go fill them all up to 38psi and your light wont go on. i run mine up there all the time

 

[Mr_Boom]

The cold air temps have set off my TPMS alarm in the extreme cold mornings (around 20F), but after a little driving everything is back to normal.

I would expect to see a little bit of a drop due to the extreme temp changes (they say 1 psi for every 10F change is a good rule of thumb) but not as much as you have seen.

 

[Abilor]

So it was a puncture, according to local tire shop. Plugged for $20. Warranty wouldn't cover, but I guess it could have been worse.