A Useful Tool You Shouldn't Be Without

[mr. ed]

Yesterday I noticed that one of the rear tires on my truck was losing air pressure. I figured the logical conclusion was a nail stuck in the tread. I couldn't find anything so I drove to the local Walmart and asked them to repair it. The first thing the employee did was to remove the tire valve cap and sure enough he detected a slight amount of air coming out. With a few twists of a special tool he had the leakage fixed in no time, although he did carefully inspect the tire just in case. He said vibration occasionally causes this.

Today, I bought the same tool in a local auto parts shop and plan to check my tire valves on a regular basis. Usually the culprit is a nail or something similar stuck in the tire but I've never encountered a leaky valve stem in almost 50 years of driving. First time for everything, I guess....:)


 

[huuligan]

Yes, everyone should have one of these in one form or another. I've had a couple of cores loosen up and leak over the years.

Gary

[Donr827]

The core in valve went bad on one of my airbags.  Went to a nearby Advance Auto Parts and was able to buy the core and the tool for around $7.  Fixed the problem.
Don

[kkro]

I've hade one, not quite so fancy, for 30+ years. Don't need to use it often, but that's a tool that there's no substitute for. They should also be available in bicycle shops. Maybe I'll need to get another one to keep in the 5er.

[Newt]

I thought every one had one. 

I've got this one.

Newt

[tbmyers&co]

I buy the valve caps with the tool built on them. I put one on each vehicle. Allways have a tool. Cost for 4 $1.81

[Jeff Collingwood]

If you buy one, get the valves also, they do go bad.
...Jeff....

[Davydee]

I haven't had one since I quit riding bicycles.  Thanks for the reminder!!!