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Left Rear Tire Losing Pressure

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Care, Maintenance & Troubleshooting' started by shankyyy, Sep 25, 2011.

  1. shankyyy

    shankyyy Member

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    A few days back, the low tire pressure light came on, and I checked that the LR tire was only about 20 psi while the other three were ok (>30). I inflated LR to ~35 psi and the others as well. The warning light disappeared. Today while I was filling gas, I checked the LR, and it is already down to 30 psi (hot) whereas the other three were about the same.
    - Is this just a small leak/puncture or something else (valve stem, etc)?
     
    #1 shankyyy, Sep 25, 2011
  2. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

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    Yes, probably a small leak, take it to a tire shop to inspect for a leak.
     
    #2 andyprius, Sep 25, 2011
  3. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    Cross your fingers it is in the treaded area and not on or near the sidewall or else it cannot be fixed safely. :)
     
    #3 F8L, Sep 25, 2011
  4. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    If you want to check for yourself...
    With the valve down put some oil in it, if you see bubbles it's leaking, use a valve stem tool and remove it. clean it, oil it and reinstall it, air up and check it again. Unless of course you find a leak in the tire. Take the wheel off and rotate it in a large vat of water, the bubbles will show the leak.
    IF it's patch-able, have a pro do it (you have to remove the tire from the rim). If it's not patch-able and if the tires have much wear you'll have to replace at least two, possibly all four, sad but true.
     
    #4 ursle, Sep 25, 2011
  5. shankyyy

    shankyyy Member

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    Could you elaborate on this?
     
    #5 shankyyy, Sep 25, 2011
  6. shankyyy

    shankyyy Member

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    Thx. ursle
     
    #6 shankyyy, Sep 25, 2011
  7. pjksr02

    pjksr02 Active Member

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    I'd personally not put oil on a TPMS valve. Soapy water, maybe. You could also spray soapy water onto your tire to locate the leak--that's what the tire shop would do.

    How to Find a Tire Leak | eHow.com

    It's most likely you've got an easily fixed puncture, but you need a tire shop to fix it.
     
    #7 pjksr02, Sep 25, 2011
  8. Roadburner440

    Roadburner440 Member

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    Soapy water is the preferred way to check for air leaks on just about everything. I had an issue with the valve stem leaking on one of my Dodge's TPMS sensors, and I just dealt with it till the the tire change so it could be rebuilt. Also check the tread area for any small pieces of nails, and things of that nature. They recommend not patching tires, but I do it whenever I get something stuck in there with no issue.
     
    #8 Roadburner440, Sep 25, 2011
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