Metal Tire Valve Caps

[LittleGreenAvocado]

I saw some nice shiny metal valve caps on the internet, but I heard metal caps can fuse onto the tire stems resulting in damaging the tire pressure monitoring system. I dont really like the plastic ones that are currently on my tires, does anybody else use metal caps?

 

[LittleGreenAvocado]

Just want to add that the metal ones I saw are made of aluminum and have the Toyota logo on them Would anybody recommend them?

 

[1engineer]

No. If metals are not the same, even down to the metallurgy, they can corrode and fuse the cap to the stem. Let me know how you would like to put air in the tire when you can't put air in the tire because you can't get the cap off.

 

[MAXISTYLES]

Lexus has aluminum factory caps which are the one I use.

 

[T4R2014]

Don't bother. My BMW came with them. Half were fused on and the others were just annoying to remove. The plastic ones work best.

 

[Swarty]

If you must use metal caps get some lithium grease and coat the threads in the cap and on the valve stem and always recoat when you reinstall them.

 

[adio3x]

ARB makes aluminum valve stem caps. I'll probably get a set after completely destroying a valve stem on a boulder a few weeks ago, which led to a flat tire, which led to a hi-lift fail, which led to the 4runner falling on the rear axle, which led to the hi-lift almost taking everyone out. Fun day.

 

[sandcrawler]

i've had the metal ones seize; saltwater environment. plastic all the way.

 

[KidVermicious]

I don't understand, what are these "valve caps" you all speak of?

 

[cmoore50]

I had them on my 4th gen. They came on the vehicle and I was stupid enough to leave them on. Two of them ended up seizing. One came off with the stem attached. That was a bad day.

 

[LittleGreenAvocado]

I don't understand, what are these "valve caps" you all speak of?

 

[LittleGreenAvocado]

Thanks for the responses, I guess I'll just stick to the plastic ones

 

[Jeremy556]

ARB makes aluminum valve stem caps. I'll probably get a set after completely destroying a valve stem on a boulder a few weeks ago, which led to a flat tire, which led to a hi-lift fail, which led to the 4runner falling on the rear axle, which led to the hi-lift almost taking everyone out. Fun day.

Sounds like fun!

Ironically, I prefer metal valve stems on everything, except the 4runner. Fortunately, my wheels have a pretty pronounced lip (insert Bubba picture here) and have protected the TPMS stems from carnage to date.

 

[4FL]

Wow, interesting, I was going to ask something similar, but I guess this thread answered it.

Mine came with some green colored caps, which I thought was odd it did not have metal ones given the cost of the car. But it makes sense now. I guess they are green because...they put nitrogen in the tires?

I think I will look for some black plastic ones to put on, but actually, since I am sticking with plastic anyway, I will not bother with it.

 

[Rocketdog]

The green colored caps indicate the tires were filled with nitrogen gas at one time.



.

 

[phillyd2]

ARB makes aluminum valve stem caps. I'll probably get a set after completely destroying a valve stem on a boulder a few weeks ago, which led to a flat tire, which led to a hi-lift fail, which led to the 4runner falling on the rear axle, which led to the hi-lift almost taking everyone out. Fun day.

Same situation happened to me but without the hi-lift drama, most likely because I use good base. However mine did happen on a steep rocky hill climb. :redbrick:

Anyways, are you saying that you think a different type of valve stem cap would have avoided the damage?

 

[Jivewalker]

I say go for it! After all, if you check your tire pressures frequently like you should, they wont have any chance to seize. My 2012 TE came with metal caps and they have not seized at 60k miles now and I'm guilty of not checking pressures as often as I should. If you really want to be preventative, grab a can of anti-seize and put a tiny bit on there. Plumbers grease would even work. lol

 

[Mooney]

If you must use metal caps get some lithium grease and coat the threads in the cap and on the valve stem and always recoat when you reinstall them.

I use moly anti seize.

 

[adio3x]

Same situation happened to me but without the hi-lift drama, most likely because I use good base. However mine did happen on a steep rocky hill climb. :redbrick:

Anyways, are you saying that you think a different type of valve stem cap would have avoided the damage?

It was partially my fault too, I too was on a steep rocky hill climb, made it to the top but it wasn't flat. I should've used my winch to keep it from sliding back, but before it started sliding back, the hi-lift (in its locked position) unlatched 2 holes down and then my rig slid back, but it was a soft landing.

I think it would've prevented the damage to the valve stem. Not sure how soft the aluminum is, but if its anything like their skid plates, I think I would've been good in that situation. I was in 4LO, literally going 4 mph and it looked like a great white had chomped on it lol. Bits of the plastic cap were mashed into the core, which led to a fast leak.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

My 4th gen came with these stamped metal factory metal ones, but I check my tire pressure regularly enough that I don't let them get seized.

I think a grease isn't a bad idea to make sure they don't fuse. But if you check your tire pressure at least a couple times a month (which you should be doing anyways!) it shouldn't fuse either.