lifeisgood

I noticed something shiny admidst my brake dust covered wheels--my metal valve stem covers were gone, from all 4 wheels.

I was pissed...those @#%$ thieves. So I called Lexus and got 4 new ones at $8 per cover. I tightened the new ones with a wrench, making it all but impossible for someone to take them off using just their hands.

Other CL members may want to do the same.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

$8 total or $32?

I was just thinking about this today as I was adjusting my air pressure.

lifeisgood

$32 for all four. Nice Lexus markup. But the parts department gave me a very nice black Lexus paper bag to carry them home. LOL

EFMJR

iTrader: (4)

Did they give you a cup of starbucks coffie and couple canfies wrapped in a lexus wrapper? Thats how the sugar coat the robbery here in fresno.

Bichon

Is there anything special about the metal covers, e.g., do they act as antennas for the TPMS or something? If they aren't and mine were stolen, I'd save the $32 and get four black plastic ones from a tire store for less than a dollar, if not free.

tqlla3k

iTrader: (1)

$32? Whats it made of? ...... gold?

OUCH. I would have to take the cheap way out and get those $2.19 chrome ones.

Ramon

I had the two driver side ones ripped off from me while at work. The only reason the passanger side ones weren't taken is becuase the passanger side is facing a line of bushes and you can't squeeze in there to get them.

Nice thing is that I went to my dealer one day to have my oil changed and noticed they had put on another complementary pair for me after I picked the car back up. I didn't even ask them to. I am very pleased with the customer service at my dealer, but in the sales and service department.

EFMJR

iTrader: (4)

Id like to see a picture of these $32 covers. Kinda curious on what makes them so special.

lobuxracer

iTrader: (2)

They're plain aluminium hexagonal caps. Nothing special about them, and they're not part of the antenna to transmit.

I do run metal caps on all my motorised vehicles though. It's an old habit from roadracing bikes. If the valve stem depresses from centripetal force at high speed, only the cap is maintaining pressure. You don't even want to imagine a rapidly deflating tire on a bike at 130+ mph. So a good metal cap with a rubber seal is mandatory to pass tech inspection on bikes. Just in case. I call it cheap insurance against Schrader valve failure on everything I drive.

EFMJR

iTrader: (4)

I use the metal hex ones also, but they cost like $8 for billit. $32 is crazy

GrantK

I had mine stolen within the first few months of owning my car. I got these to replace the stolen ones:

http://spin-caps.com/tab2/store/cate.../Chromies.html

I haven't lost them yet

I paid somewhere in the neighbourhood of $20CAN since I live in Toronto.

l1tech

$32...I hope they kissed you when they were done..

Technique

I actually caught someone trying to steal my stems one night... In fact, they may have been preparing to steal my rims... I had a 2001 Acura CL Type S with SSR Competition Rims and the nice SSR chrome valve caps... They had removed two of the valve caps when I caught them... At first, I thought they were just checking out my ride, but then I noticed he was unscrewing the valve cap... Talk about seeing red... Wow... I've rarely gotten that angry in my life... The rest was a blur...

MattyL147

wow...now thats what i call a ripoff. you can get a package of 4 at discount auto parts for somewhere around 5 bucks!...i dont think you really needed OEM in this instance.

clubfoot

Silver Fox I hope you didn't use the secret butt kick "Technique" on him?