Tire Losing Pressure but No Leak: Causes and Solutions

Tire losing pressure but no leak can be a frustrating issue to deal with, especially for new car owners. They wonder how their car tires are losing air without noticeable leaks.

This article provides you with possible causes of this issue and detailed information on how to correct it, among other details.

What Causes Tires To Lose Pressure Without Leaks?

The causes of tires losing pressure without leaks include a damaged valve stem cap, issues with the wheel, temperature fluctuations, or other faults with the valve. When the valve cap is not well secured, the air in the tires slowly escapes, leading to decreasing pressure.

Damaged valve caps will even lead to a faster decrease in the pressure within the tires. Let’s take a more detailed look into the causes of a tire losing pressure without obvious leakages.

– Frequent Temperature Variations

Continuous temperature fluctuations can alter the air pressure in the tires. Like most other substances, air responds to changes in temperature — it expands on rising temperatures and contracts upon cooling. In addition, tires are made of rubber, which also follows the same principle of expansion and contraction with varying temperatures.

Note that for every temperature change of 10 degrees Fahrenheit, your tire either gains or loses about two percent of the air. When the temperature drops, it causes air to shrink, which causes a decrease in the pressure in the tire. Guess what? Most cities across the United States experience a temperature variation of about 20 degrees Fahrenheit between day and nighttime.

Therefore, you shouldn’t be surprised when your car tires appear underinflated after a cold night. However, you may ignore this since the tires will regain full inflation with increasing temperatures into the day. In fact, in the real sense, it is still the same amount of air in the tire; it’s just the result of air expansion or contraction depending on temperature changes.

– Faulty Valve Stem

The valve stem is that screw-like part of the tire that you unscrew to pump air into your tire. Therefore, a fault in this valve may cause your tire to leak air, decreasing the pressure. It is always better to buy a high-quality valve to prevent you from replacing it every few months because it is worn.

The lifespan of a tire valve is about two or more years. However, this refers to high-quality valves — those made of reinforced metals. On the other hand, low-grade and poor valve stems, such as those designed from rubber, may last just a couple of months, up to six.

The lifespan of your tire valves depends on different factors, such as how often you drive, the driving environment, and the quality of the valve. The duration of travel may also matter. However, we suggest you change your tire valve whenever you change your car tires. In fact, many tire services add these valves as part of the tire change package.

– Failure to Seal the Wheel in the Hub

If you do not seal the wheel in the hub or use a poor seal, it may cause a slow air leak from your tire, decreasing the recommended air pressure. This is common after rotating your tires or engaging in wheel balance.

– Faulty and Bent Wheel Rim

When examining your car tires for possible causes of your tires losing pressure, you should also check the wheel rim. The rim may be bent or even damaged. This may be difficult to notice, though it’ll cause air leakage from the tire. Also, you may have a corroded wheel, which will also cause decreasing pressure in your tires.

– Fault With Car Tires

A fault in the car tires may also cause a decrease in the pressure. For example, when a nail, pin or any sharp object punctures your car tire, you often won’t notice as the air slowly leaks until a significant amount has escaped. Also, when an object is between your car tire and the rim, it’ll cause the tire lose air until there is a slow pressure drop.

– Hidden Leaks

You can determine the cause of your tire losing pressure by different methods, which include using soapy water, listening to hissing sounds, etc. Each process is pretty straightforward. You can carry them out yourself without requiring the assistance of your mechanic or a professional.

To use the soapy water method, mix water with a small portion of mild soap in a spray bottle. Spray this soapy water around the tire, its edge, and the internal and external parts of the rim, including the valve stem area. After a few minutes, you’ll notice air bubbles around the area where there is a leak, causing your tire to lose pressure.

The sound and feel method can be done by placing your ear close to the tire area to listen to the hissing sound of air escaping your tire. Touch the tires in different areas as you observe and feel where the source of the leak is. If you feel an overly high temperature in a particular spot, it is likely the source of your tire losing pressure.

Putting the entire wheel in water is also possible. Tire experts may detach the entire wheel from the vehicle and place them in water. This procedure allows them to check the quality of the tires and find out if they are still good enough for the road. Upon exposure to water, places with air leakages will release bubbles.

Take note that you can perform any of these tests yourself. In fact, if you visit a professional, they will probably perform these tests to detect the cause of your tire losing pressure. However, there is a more complicated procedure that technicians may employ.

How To Fix Tire Losing Air or Pressure When There Is No Leak?

To fix your tire that is losing air or pressure when there are no tire leaks, you need to correct the cause of the problem. For a damaged or bad valve cap, you need to replace it with a new one. You can also repair worn rims or use sealant.

Tire pressure is essential for optimum vehicle performance on the road. Under-inflated tires with improper pressure cause the vehicle to drag on the road, reducing fuel economy by almost three percent. They even reduce the vehicle’s load-carrying ability, which may be necessary for super-duty vehicles.

It also limits the lifespan and effectiveness of the tires. This happens when the tire is either over or under-inflated. They increase the possibility of wear and tear conditions. Therefore, it is essential to drive with properly gauged tires.

Below, we will provide insights into how to fix the issues with your car tires to prevent them from further losing air or even going flat.

– Fixing Faulty Valve Stems

When you notice the source of the drop in tire pressure arises from issues with the valve stem, you need to get a new one. Replacing the valve stem is pretty straightforward. In fact, you can do it yourself without the help of your mechanic. However, you should wear protective goggles before fixing the valve to prevent the debris from hitting you in the eyes.

Then you start by removing the valve core and turning it anticlockwise with a suitable tool. Replace with a new valve core, especially if you notice any signs of corrosion. Ensure to screw in the new valve to secure it properly. Also, you should pump your tires to ensure the entire process is effective.

– Repairing Worn Rims

Like we mentioned when discussing the damaged wheel rim as a problem, it is difficult to identify. Therefore, it is best to visit the mechanic when you cannot identify what is causing your tire to experience decreased pressure.

However, if you like to get your hands dirty, you can repair the rims with the right tools. You may need to hammer it gently if it’s a steel wheel. Don’t do this for aluminum wheels; the metal is somewhat brittle and may break upon hammering. Just clean the rim, removing any oil or grease remains and paint residues.

You may need to use a sander. However, ensure the sander is at a low speed to reduce the stress on the rim. You may also need to wax it and use a suitable metal polish to improve its appearance. If you do this right, you can restore your rims’ smooth and fine appearance, making them look new.

– Preventing Effects of Constant Temperature Changes

Since we have no control over temperature fluctuations, this problem, in the real sense, cannot be corrected. However, you can prevent it by regularly monitoring pressure changes in your car tires, especially on days with extreme temperature variations.

Getting a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) for your vehicle is the most efficient way to track pressure variations. The device notifies you when the pressure falls below normal.

– Using a Sealant to Fix Faulty Tires

When you notice a puncture in the tires or leakages from the valve, insert a sealant into the hole. Ensure to adjust the sealant such that the nose is directly on the puncture so it pours right into the inside surface of the tires. The sealant creates a protective covering around the opening.

However, take note that this is a temporary fix. You still need to visit the mechanic or a tire shop for more appropriate solutions. Also, take note that the sealant is safe for your tires — you need not worry about it causing further damage.

If, after checking through your car tires and the rim, you still can’t pinpoint the cause of the tire losing pressure, you should visit an auto repair shop. There, an expert will help you find the source of the problem and even fix it. Note that the tires need to be well-inflated and in optimum conditions for optimum vehicle performance on the road and to improve fuel efficiency.

FAQs

– What Causes a Tire To Lose Pressure Through the Night?

Your tire may lose pressure through the night if there is a significant difference in environmental temperature between the daytime and the night. Take note that the tire loses two percent of air for every temperature drop of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

At nighttime, we tend to experience a decrease in temperature, often up to 20 degrees. However, there are times when the temperature difference may even be much more. In such cases, you will notice that your tire is losing pressure.

– Can Tires Lose Pressure Without Any Holes?

Yes, tires can lose pressure without any holes. A flat tire may not always result from a puncture. It could be a function of a malfunction or slow leak in the tire valve stem or debris caught in between the rim and the tires.

If your tire seems in good condition, it does not mean there is no room for air to escape. In fact, something as simple as a vast decrease in environmental temperature can cause your tire to reduce pressure. Also, any damage or even dirt around the valve stem may cause the tire to lose air, such that if the situation is not rectified, the tire can lose all its air and become flat.

Conclusion

This article lets you understand that different issues can cause your car tires to lose pressure without showing noticeable air leaks.

Let’s see a summary of all we’ve discussed.

• Something as simple as a significant temperature drop at night can cause your tire to lose air overnight, making them feel under-inflated in the morning.
• Other causes of your tire losing pressure with no signs of leaks include a faulty valve cap, damaged rim or car tires, and failure to seal the wheel in the hub properly.
• You can easily detect the source through the sound and feel method or soapy water. This will help you fix the underlying issue and prevent high repair costs.
• Fixing and rectifying this solution involves you tackling the problem. For example, replace a damaged valve or seal of the wheel in the hub if they are the reason for your tire losing pressure.
• Driving with under-inflated tires is not ideal, as it increases the pressure on your tires and reduces fuel economy.

Once you notice your tire is losing air without any sign of leaking, do not hesitate to go through this article again for insights.