I got an used spare tire. It holds air. However, when I wiggle (bending a bit) the valve stem, like I'm trying to add air, I notice it leaking air.

If it's straight in the neutral position, it's fine.

I've never used this spare so I don't know if that is an issue if I actually use it with load, or that's how tires are.

Questions:

1. Do you see a problem?

2. Is there a way I can tighten it? I tried it turn it a bit (clockwise), no difference.

3. Do you think I need a tire shop to fix it.

 

you can't tighten it. think of it like a grommet, there's a lip that holds it on the rim.

Just have a tire shop replace the valve stem.

 

Thanks for the quick response. So you would say.....it's not "safe" to use, correct?

 

i probably wouldn't.

 

Thanks.

 

If I found myself on the side of the road with a flat tire, I would use it with out hesitation. The worst that will happen is the air slowly leaks out while you drive to the next gas station a few miles down the road. You're much better to drive on a donut with no air and ruin it as opposed to driving on your alloy wheel with no air and destroying the bead seats and tire sidewalls(if you have no option other than driving on a flat). Now taking into consideration you discovered this problem before it turned into a problem so to say, just take it to any tire shop and have them replace the valve stem. If it's a non national chain shop they'll probably do it for free in hopes you will come back to them in the future. That is at least how I operate when a customer comes to me with a problem that will take me less than five minutes to fix and cost me almost nothing.

 

I have 3 cars and 3 sets of tires from Discount Tire. So I'll take it in next time when it's time for rotation.

 

Yeah your best bet is to just have the tire shop replace the valve stem. Should be fine to drive on, especially if its just a spare. But if you got the time and money why not fix it and have the peace of mind.