Why do tires lose air after sitting

Since your tires maintain consistent contact with the road, you should make sure that they are well maintained. That includes knowing about tire pressure.

With low tire pressure, your vehicle’s performance and fuel economy can be compromised. Therefore, you should know how fast tires lose air.

Here, we will take a look at commonly asked questions about tire pressure.

How Long Should You Expect Before Your Tire Lose Air?

The typical rate at which a tire will lose pressure is about 1-3 psi per month. If you don’t inflate your tires for six months, then you could lose as much as 6-18 psi. This will likely give you low tire pressure since the normal psi range is about 30 to 35.

How Often Should You Check Tire Pressure?

Because your tires lose pressure over a month, you should make it a habit to check your tires at least once a month.

One of the best places to check your tires is at a fuel station.

You may also want to consider purchasing a portable tire inflator that will also be able to measure tire pressure.

Why Do My Tires Lose Air So Quickly?

First, sometimes a tire might appear flat though it is perfectly inflated.

There are several reasons why your tires can lose pressure:

• Time
  As stated before, your tires will naturally lose pressure over time. The best solution for this issue is to simply check your tire pressure each month and reflate them as needed.
• Wheel bead corrosion
  Die-cast aluminum and magnesium alloy wheels are more likely to experience corrosion. This can cause the tire to lose pressure. The best course of action here is to simply replace the wheel with one that is less corrosive.
• Valve stem failure
  Your tires valve stems can degrade over time. This could cause accelerated pressure loss. The best solution is to replace your valve stems when they get old.
• No valve caps
  Naturally, if you have no valve caps, then your tires could lose pressure more quickly.
  Be sure to replace any missing valve caps.
• Tire bead damage
  If there is a poor seal between the wheel and the tire, then you will lose pressure at a higher rate. In this case, you may need to replace both the tire and the wheel.
• Tire tread puncture
  If you happen to run over a nail or a screw, then you will have a puncture that will cause the tire to lose pressure. The best solution for this issue is to have the damage patched.
• Tire sidewall puncture
  You may also have a puncture on the sidewall due to a road hazard or tire damage. If you have damage to the sidewall, then you will need to have the tire replaced.
• Pothole and curb damage
  If your tire hits a pothole or rubs against a curve, it can sustain damage that can lead to pressure loss. Sometimes, you can deal with the issue by reflating the tire.

If one of your tires is wearing faster than the others it could also be a sign that it doesn’t hold air as well. So keep an eye on that!

Do Older Tires Lose Air Faster?

Older tires will tend to lose pressure faster for several reasons.

1. First, old tires lose rubber which will cause them to lose their elasticity.
2. Additionally, an older tire is more likely to have sustained flex and damage due to its number of miles. This is why you should know the age of your tires.

On average, a tire will last anywhere from 40,000 to 50,000 miles before it loses air at an accelerated rate.

Do Tires Lose Air Faster When You Drive a Lot?

It depends on the type of drive you do and the road conditions.

For instance, if you do lots of off-road driving, then the road hazards may cause the tires to flex and lose air pressure. Also, if you have to drive on a road that is riddled with potholes, then you can expect to lose pressure faster.

However, you will lose more tire pressure if you keep your car parked for an extended period.

Another issue that will cause a tire to lose air pressure is simply how many miles you put on them. As an example, if you drive 20,000 miles per year, then your tires will become old after two years.

Therefore, you should carefully monitor how many miles your tires have accumulated.

Do Low-Profile Tires Lose Air Faster?

Because low-profile tires are thinner than higher-profile tires, they will lose air at a faster rate. Also, it will take less air for low-profile tires to become deflated.

If you drive with low-profile tires, then you should expect them to lose pressure more often.

Do Front Tires Lose Air Faster?

In many cases, your front tires will lose air at a faster rate than the rear tires. This is because there is usually more pressure on the front tires because of the engine’s weight.

Therefore, you should check the pressure on your front tires often to ensure that they are at a normal level.

Do Tubeless Tires Lose Air Faster?

A tubeless tire will typically lose air faster than a tube tire. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the pressure level on a tubeless tire every two weeks.

What Are the Signs That Your Tires Are Going Flat?

Since you don’t want to get stuck on the side of the road, you should know the tell-tale signs that your tires are about to go flat.

Here is what you should look out for:

• Your vehicle is tilted to one side
  If you notice that your vehicle is sitting at an angle, then there may be one or more tires that have low pressure.
• Excessive vibration
  If you have a low tire, then the vehicle will be to vibrate at speed. Be sure to always check tire pressure if you are experiencing excessive road vibration.
• Poor acceleration
  Notice that your vehicle is not accelerating as well as it used to? This could be due to low tire pressure which created more than the usual resistance on the road.
• Poor fuel economy
  Finally, if you find that your fuel economy is not as good as it used to be, then you may have low pressure on one or more tires.

Proper Tire Maintenance Tips

To maintain your tires over the long term, they must be well maintained.

Here’s a look at how you can make sure that your air pressure is well sustained all year long:

• Check tire pressure often – You don’t want to wait until it is too late and risk having a flat tire. Be sure to check your tire pressure often. If the psi on your tires is below 30, then you should reflate them until they are within the 30 to 35 psi range.
• Check for punctures – You will want to check for punctures on the tread. You can do this by pouring water on the tire tread. Check for any bubbles coming through the tread. This is an indicator that air is escaping from the tire. You can patch your tire at a service center, or you can purchase a DIY kit at an auto parts store.
• Inspect the valve stems – Since valve stems can degrade over time, you will want to check them every few months. It is a good idea to have your valve stems replaced at least once per year.
• Don’t leave your car parked for an extended period – Your tires can lose pressure if you leave it parked for an extended period. If you have a car that you are not using regularly, then be sure to drive it around at least once every three days.

Understanding the Air Inside Your Tires

Because your tires must maintain proper pressure, they must be well regulated.

Be sure to check your tire pressure every two weeks to one month. Also, consider changing your tires every 40,000 to 50,000 miles.

Sources

Utires.com

girardnissan.com