And I thought I knew all about tire valve caps!

[old mechanic]

I found these nice METAL off blue valve caps, bought them and put them on my X. What a mistake!
Early this morning (about 20 degrees out) I noticed one of my new tires was low. I went to put some air in and got a surprise. The metal cap was FROZE to the metal valve threads! Say what? Hu? Yup! I needed 2 pairs of pliers to get them stupid valve caps off and it wasn't easy.
Just wanted to let others know that if you live in cold weather climate and have metal valve caps, they will freeze on the valve stem in the winter.

 

[4.6Runner]

Hmmmm...Not always. I had a Mustang I had put chrome sleeves and caps on. I never had any trouble in cold weather with them. The sleeves were loose fitting, so that had nothing to do with making it stiffer.

 

[old mechanic]

Guess you got some good ones but I got mine from Pep Boys or Auto Zone?, and the rack was almost empty so I imagine that others did too!

 

[410Fortune]

when its that cold out everything freezes, most the problems I have in the winter were door locks and the rear e brake cables freezing up....thats why they make that spray de-icer a few cans of that stuff for each winter season....works great at getting locks to work and ebrakes to unlock

 

[alphabets13]

trust me, it's not only because they froze. i had them on my accord and in the middle of the summer they would not come off. it took pliers and patience and i screwed up the rubber valve stem and all. it's the friction from metal on metal that locks them tight. i even tried vaseline and they still did not come off the next time. so i ditched'em.

 

[TheRookie]

Thise things suck. Whenever a customers car has them on we rock paper scisors to see who changes them

 

[4.6Runner]

Speaking of E-Brake. Back when I started to drive; my dad told me too never use the E-Brake when it was cold as it would freeze up and you would not be able to get it free. I almost never use my E-Brake.

 

[TheRookie]

that is totaly true. I have seen that happen. The other side of it though is also bad. When my sister got her stick shift car my she left it in my garage in neutral with no e brake. Well later she had to buy me a new basketball net.

 

[4.6Runner]

Well okay. I always park it in gear. Otherwise it will roll. That is only using your head...

 

[Hokie]

Originally posted by 4.6Runner
Speaking of E-Brake. Back when I started to drive; my dad told me too never use the E-Brake when it was cold as it would freeze up and you would not be able to get it free. I almost never use my E-Brake.

I had never even thought about this before the beginning of January when we were skiing at Snowshoe, WV and the temp was -1*

Dern thing froze right up and wouldn't release for a little bit.

 

[DeRocha]

I use my e-Brake Everytime I get out of my X. If has never frozen in 11+yrs... I think the occasional e-brake users are the ones that get into the Most trouble. So if it isn't cold use it or lose it...

 

[EBInterceptor]

My brother's parking brake froze up this winter. Got me out of bed really early in the morning thinking that he needed to get towed out of a driveway and when I get there I find out that it's not that he's stuck but his brake was frozen. His car is a stick and he uses it all the time, so I don't think it's something about using it or losing it.

 

[DeRocha]

Like I said the occasional e-brake users have the MOST problems regardless of the season. When these people finally try and use it (winter or summer) they are asking for trouble.

Obviously if you get enough moisture on the cable and the temp drops below 32F. The cable will freeze regardless of how often you use the e-brake.

 

[Jim M]

I agree use it or loose it. I use it all the tme and no trouble. Some vehices rear brakes self adjust by using the EB. I think GM

 

[alphabets13]

i use mine all the time. especially in the winter. i don't want it rolling down a hill when it's icy and snowy out. but i use it all year long, every time actually.