November 28, 2022

5 Reasons Why Your Tyre Caps Are Important

Many of us need to pay attention to the tyre caps found at the tips of our tyre valves. In fact, it's common to see tyres with their valve caps missing. The tyres are functioning fine without them, which leads us to the question: Do they matter?

Our definite answer: YES, they do. Tyre valve caps are there for a reason—no, for five good reasons, which you will find out in this article. You will also learn how to maintain your valve caps and why it pays to replace them when lost or damaged.

Also read: How to Change a Tyre in 10 Steps

What Are Tyre Caps?

Tyre caps are screwed over valves, to which you attach an air hose to inflate or deflate tyres. Practically all valves for car tyres today use the Schrader valve invented in 1891 under August Schrader's company, which sold rubber products. This valve was initially used in bicycle tyres and later adopted by automobiles.

The car tyre valve has these parts:

• Valve Stem

This small tube, which sticks out from your tyre, lets air into (or out of) your tyre. How does it keep in the air? It uses a spring-operated pin and air pressure to prevent the air from leaking. Looking into a valve stem, you see the pin at its centre. If you press on the pin with a hose, air automatically flows into it. You can also apply pressure on it to let the air out. Meanwhile, placing a tyre gauge over it and depressing the valve stem gives you a tyre pressure reading.

• Valve Core

Also called a poppet or mushroom valve, this part is inside the valve stem. It tightly seals in tyre pressure because it's firmly screwed into the chamber. The valve core's length may vary; high-performance tyres usually have them shorter than standard tyres. The valve core may be plated with nickel or made from brass.

• Valve Cap

Now we come to the star of this discussion—the tyre cap also called valve cap or tyre air cap. This can be made from sturdy plastic or metal and covers your valve.

Why Is Your Tyre Cap Important?

The inside of your tyre cap is lined with an O-ring that keeps it tightly screwed despite road impacts. Why is it important to secure it in place? Read our five reasons.

1. It prevents contamination.

As the only part that makes actual contact with the road, tyres are constantly exposed to contaminants, such as dirt, dust, mud, and water. For this reason, tyre valve caps, or dust caps, prevent outside debris from congregating around the valve stem and eventually breaching the valve seal. You may even accidentally push the dirt in when inflating your tyres.

2. It maintains proper tyre inflation.

While tyre caps keep the undesirable elements out, it keeps the air pressure in. The more contaminants your tyre valve has, the more air is likely to escape. Without the tyre cap, your valve loses its secondary sealing device. If your valve core is damaged and your tyre cap is missing, there's nothing to stop the air in your tyres from escaping.

Also read: Top 8 Causes of a Flat Tyre

3. It keeps you safe on the road.

The worst possible effect of a poorly inflated tyre is a blowout. When this happens, the tyre bursts, leaving a gash or hole, which causes rapid deflation. Because blowouts are so sudden, they take you by surprise, and you may not be able to react accordingly. When you lose control over your vehicle, a road accident is highly possible!

Also read: 7 Types of Tyre Damage Plus Their Causes & Prevention

4. It prevents you from spending extra.

Underinflation is one of the main causes of tyre failure. With a leaky tyre, the rubber presses down on the ground, which causes increased friction and heat buildup when driving. This hastens your tyre's wear rate. How else can a tyre cap protect your savings by sealing in the air? Underinflated tyres make the engine exert more fuel to move your car forward. According to Goodyear, poorly inflated tyres can boost fuel consumption by as much as 3% costing you extra cash at the petrol station.

Also read: 8 Ways You Can Save on Gas With the Right Tyres

5. It completes your tyres' look.

Aesthetics may not matter much to some drivers, but if it's a major consideration, always look for your tyre caps. Caps can also come in different colours depending on the tyre valve brand.

How Do You Care for Your Tyre Cap?

Like any other part of your tyre, you need to be vigilant about your tyre caps. Keep these tips in mind for a worry-free ride.

• Always check if they're in place.

Tyre valve caps are so small that you're likely to lose them and not even notice they are lost. They can fall off or get damaged when regularly rolling in tough road conditions. Sometimes, your mechanic forgets to re-screw them in place after inflating or rotating your tyres. So, when checking your tyre pressure, see if your tyre caps are secure.

• Replace worn tyre caps.

Ideally, you should replace plastic tyre caps every six months. Metal tyre caps last longer, so check for damage before buying new ones. Also, tyre replacement services typically come with new valves and tyre caps.

• Don't lose the O-ring.

The O-ring is the dealbreaker regarding the tyre cap's functionality. Ensure it's always there inside the cap and that it isn't broken. Without an O-ring, the cap can't fully seal the valve. It can also break free more easily from the stem.

• Choose the right cap size.

You can buy an after-market cap to jazz up your tyres. Just make sure that your purchase is the right fit for your valve. Too-tight caps can be tough to remove, especially if the valve stem has rusted.

The Final Word

Never underestimate the significance of your tyre caps. Include it in your tyre maintenance to-do list. It's remarkable how such a small part can make a huge impact in your driving, safety, and savings!

Aside from a wide range of tyres and wheels, Tyroola also offers auto maintenance and repair services through our partnership with local fitting stations. We have over 500 Australia-wide partner fitters who can attend to your car and fit the tyres you bought at Tyroola.