Slow leak on tire

ScottY · 05-11-2006, 11:44 AM

I changed to Goodyear Comfortread end of last year, and did not notice this until now.

My car pulls slightly to right when I brake. First I thought the alignment might be off. Since I park on the street, I bump into the curb once in a while. Before going to check the alignment, I should check the tire pressure first. So it turns out that my front right tire is at 32PSI when hot! My front left tire is 45PSI, and my rear tires are at 44PSI. Note, these are pressure when tires are hot, after a 30 minute drive. I pumped the pressure back up to 45PSI and notice no more pull to right during this morning’s commute. I will check my tire pressure more often now.

Do you guys have any solution to tires that develop a slow leak like I have here? I will hate to change the tire since the treads still look like new.

Thanks in advance.

priusenvy · 05-11-2006, 02:07 PM

Don't your tires have some kind of road hazard warranty, where it will be repaired or replaced at little cost to you?

If not, you can get that repaired for about $12, unless the leak is in a location on the tire not recommended for plugs. When I've done ths in the past I took the tire off the car and dropped it off at the tire shop (or service station) in the morning. You can pick it up a few hours later and put it back on your car when convenient.

richard schumacher · 05-11-2006, 02:22 PM

Check the pressures of all tires, cold, at the next opportunity. You added relatively cold air to a hot tire, so it will not have the same pressure as the one on the other side when they come to the same temperature.

qbee42 · 05-11-2006, 02:36 PM

Slow leaks on alloy rims are not uncommon, as the alloy builds up a layer of oxide that interferes with a good seal. Have your tire store check the tire and rim. My bet is that it is a bad seal on the rim.

Tom

ceric · 05-11-2006, 02:51 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ May 11 2006, 01:36 PM) [snapback]253613[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Slow leaks on alloy rims are not uncommon, as the alloy builds up a layer of oxide that interferes with a good seal. Have your tire store check the tire and rim. My bet is that it is a bad seal on the rim.

Tom
[/b]

I agree with qbee42. If there is no puncture in the tire, it could be a slow leak, which could be caused by oxidation of alloy rim or a bent rim (not detectable by naked eyes) from hitting obstacles.

kDB · 05-11-2006, 02:56 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ May 11 2006, 01:36 PM) [snapback]253613[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Slow leaks on alloy rims are not uncommon, as the alloy builds up a layer of oxide that interferes with a good seal. Have your tire store check the tire and rim. My bet is that it is a bad seal on the rim.

Tom
[/b]

i agree, have them remount the tire after cleaning the wheel where the bead seats. this is usually the cause of a slow leak, especially since you just got new tires.
it may also be the valve stem, but i'm guessing this is your second set of tires, and they prolly didn't replace the stems, so they should be fine.

etyler88 · 05-11-2006, 03:33 PM

How about putting a can of fix a flat in it. I would only do that if it is leaking down past 35 psi in less than two or three months.

ScottY · 05-11-2006, 05:12 PM

thanks for all the replies!

I will have the tire pressure re-check and tire remount first. If that doesn't correct the problem, then I'll try other things that you guys suggested.

**TonyPSchaefer** · 05-11-2006, 06:52 PM

My back-right has a slow leak. I check all tires every weekend and that one will be at 35 when the others are 42f/40r. Annoying and I think I'm finally at the point where I'm willing to pay to get it fixed rather than checking it and inflating it every week.

Tom_06 · 05-11-2006, 07:42 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ May 11 2006, 06:52 PM) [snapback]253765[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

My back-right has a slow leak. I check all tires every weekend and that one will be at 35 when the others are 42f/40r. Annoying and I think I'm finally at the point where I'm willing to pay to get it fixed rather than checking it and inflating it every week.
[/b]

A lot of tire places dismount the wheel, inflate it to max (or overinflate) and use a water tank to look for the leak. I have had good luck by just using a spray bottle of soap solution (dishsoap or "Snoop" - make for leak finding). I just spray it all over the tire and look for a pile of fine bubbles growing on the tire, the rim, or the valve stem. If I don't see anything, I roll the car forward so the tire rotates half way around and try again. My bet would be a nail or screw ground off flat by the road or a valve stem leak as the most likely candidate. I think it less likely a one year old car would develop a corrosion leak on the rim even in NY. You can then have a tire place replace the valve stem or dismount and patch the tire from the inside.

- Tom

05-11-2006, 11:44 AM	#1
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,249 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	I changed to Goodyear Comfortread end of last year, and did not notice this until now. My car pulls slightly to right when I brake. First I thought the alignment might be off. Since I park on the street, I bump into the curb once in a while. Before going to check the alignment, I should check the tire pressure first. So it turns out that my front right tire is at 32PSI when hot! My front left tire is 45PSI, and my rear tires are at 44PSI. Note, these are pressure when tires are hot, after a 30 minute drive. I pumped the pressure back up to 45PSI and notice no more pull to right during this morning’s commute. I will check my tire pressure more often now. Do you guys have any solution to tires that develop a slow leak like I have here? I will hate to change the tire since the treads still look like new. Thanks in advance. __________________ 05 Millennium Silver Metallic, Package #3 (package with SKS and all airbags) mud flaps MFD hood bumper protector CAN-View with OBD-II function Coastal EV mod mesh grill DICE iPod integration + ground loop isolated audio in "Prius" license plate frame Thule roof rack and snowboard carriers (winter only)

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05-11-2006, 02:07 PM	#2
priusenvy Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Silicon Valley, CA Posts: 1,758 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #6 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	Don't your tires have some kind of road hazard warranty, where it will be repaired or replaced at little cost to you? If not, you can get that repaired for about $12, unless the leak is in a location on the tire not recommended for plugs. When I've done ths in the past I took the tire off the car and dropped it off at the tire shop (or service station) in the morning. You can pick it up a few hours later and put it back on your car when convenient.

05-11-2006, 02:22 PM	#3
richard schumacher Destination: Eschaton Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: United States Posts: 5,508 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: N/A Package: #6 Thanks: 99 Thanked 93 Times in 66 Posts Friends: 0	Check the pressures of all tires, cold, at the next opportunity. You added relatively cold air to a hot tire, so it will not have the same pressure as the one on the other side when they come to the same temperature.

05-11-2006, 02:36 PM	#4
qbee42 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 10,477 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 95 Thanked 387 Times in 289 Posts Friends: 10	Slow leaks on alloy rims are not uncommon, as the alloy builds up a layer of oxide that interferes with a good seal. Have your tire store check the tire and rim. My bet is that it is a bad seal on the rim. Tom

05-11-2006, 03:33 PM	#7
etyler88 etyler88 Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Dover, DE Posts: 450 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	How about putting a can of fix a flat in it. I would only do that if it is leaking down past 35 psi in less than two or three months.

05-11-2006, 05:12 PM	#8
ScottY Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 1,249 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: Package: #3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	thanks for all the replies! I will have the tire pressure re-check and tire remount first. If that doesn't correct the problem, then I'll try other things that you guys suggested.

05-11-2006, 06:52 PM	#9
TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator Join Date: May 2004 Location: Far-North Chicagoland Posts: 10,498 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 39 Thanked 165 Times in 106 Posts Friends: 23	My back-right has a slow leak. I check all tires every weekend and that one will be at 35 when the others are 42f/40r. Annoying and I think I'm finally at the point where I'm willing to pay to get it fixed rather than checking it and inflating it every week.