Tire Valves

The tire valve is really an air check that opens under air pressure and closes when pressure is removed. The inner valve or "valve core," acts as a check valve for the air. Positive sealing is provided by the "valve cap," which contains a soft rubber washer or gasket. It is this gasket, pressed against the end of the "valve stem," that seals the air in the tire. The careless practice of operating tires without the valve cap should not be followed, because, without the valve cap in place, there is usually a slow leak of air from the tire, causing the tire to run in an underinflated condition. If air should leak out around the base of the valve, it will be necessary to install a new tire valve assembly. This is easily accomplished with a special lever-type tool.