Valve stem pressure indicators

[tkerrigan]

Last year I bought 3 or 4 sets of tire pressure indicators from Genos. I put a set of 50#'s on my 5W, went to MM05 and back no problem from Oregon. The next time I got the 5W out of the shop to go to the coast, I stopped by the work shop doors to check tire pressure on the 5W, one of the indicators was hissing and then stopped. I checked that tire and it had only 20 lbs in it. Had that happened on the way to the coast, I would have lost the tire. Had I lost the tire I wouldn't have known that the indicator was at fault!! Could have happened again. I think that one of these got a tire on our town car when the wife was driving it. The tire was ruined and she took it to Costco and when they put two new tires on they took off the indicators and put on thier green caps to show nitrogen fill so I couldn't check them. I've also had two bicycles that I put them on mysteriously get flats. Needless to say, I don't use those any more.

 

[TowPro]

I have heard others talking about Nitrogen in tires. why?

 

[tkerrigan]

With nitrogen there is less pressure gain when the tires get hot, molecues are large so less pressure loss through the rubber, no oxygen to cause rust in steel rims, less moisture content.

 

[dodgeguy44]

Thanks for posting this. I have been considering buying them for my truck and 5th wheel, but now I know better.

 

[socal_rattler]

I have had them on my truck for over a year with no problems... . I also have the nitrogen from Costco. I also put some on my travel trailer for over a year. You WILL lose air if you lose the little o rings inside of them tho when you have them off.

 

[GLASMITHS]

I put some on my RV (110psi) about 2 year ago. No problems. Had the 80psi on truck but had to take them off because they cause leaks in the extensions on rear dually. Lost a tire because of it. The indicator was not the problem. The long extensions are not made to be pressureized-and the indicator causes it to be.

 

[tkerrigan]

Like I said, I loved mine for about 4000 miles, sure was nice to just walk by and see the green. I had never had the one that leaked down off, no extension, it just all by itself went from 65 psi to 20 psi, leaked out through the little hole in the middle of the top. Since and before the leak I've been using an infrared remote temperature reader that I got at Costco for $65. 00. The temperatures run about 100° to 110° F. It will also shoot through the slot of the wheel and read the temp of the wheel bearings. Handy for rear end and transmission also.

 

[Mundgyver]

I looked at the valve stem indicators and decided to go with a Smart-Tire System. I get my tire pressure in real time with the temp also from each tire while driving. If a tire has a problem, the unit will flash a red light and sound a warning and I don't have to worry about the valve stems leaking by.