Today, I stopped to top off some air in my driver's front tire. I have metal valve caps and since it's been so cold around here, apparently the metal on the interior of the cap rusted to the valve threads. A little too much torque and snapped a TPMS. $145 later, I'm wiser. I have two more metal caps but I will leave it to the pros to remove. The tire guy said something about using a torch to heat up the cap which will loosen it up and usually keep it from snapping the valve. Just some advice to other owners that are planning on being in the cold. I'm pretty angry (at myself and the Just Tires guys that made my life living hell today) and it took all day to get my tire functional. Now I've got a TPMS warning light, that hopefully they will repair tomorrow when I throw on the winter tires I purchased from another member via this forum (which has been a FedEx night nightmare also). 2014 is not off to a great start for me.

BTW awesome guys at Cassidy Tire really went above and beyond. Stayed after 5pm (close) to help me out and a tech even gave me a ride back to my hotel with the repaired tire. Much respect.

 

Additionally, if you do choose to risk metal caps I would highly recommend antiseize.

 

Hey Shawn, I have had metal caps that came OEM for the last 6 years. Same set. Nothing bad has happened to me. Wonder whether mine are stainless steel so that is why they have not rusted - seriously, not a speck of rust.

 

I also have metal Lexus Brand caps. Just last week I had to have one valve stem replaced a had the computer reprogrammed for new TPMS stem. My stem had a small section break off where it was difficult to obtain a good seal when adding air.

I've never seen this before. Could it be related to the cap causing corrosion?

JR

 

My metal caps have a rubber liner so no problem.

 

I have metal caps, no problem here for five years.