GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

I own a 2005 AWD Pontiac Vibe and am having an issue with tire pressure. Every winter, after I have my winter ice radials mounted, there always seems to be at least one of the tires that loses air pressure. The TSP is definitely doing its job and I'm thankful for that. But, it's getting to be a real pain to add air to the one tire every morning and at the end of the day. I've gone through 2 portable air compressors so far. The first year this happened, when I got the ice radials new, the leak occured at the valve stem. Replacing the valve stem seemed to fix the problem, at least for the time being. The second, third and fourth yrs became progressively worse, as the stem was replaced everytime I switched back from summer to winter tires and vice-versa. Last year and this yr, I told the tire technician to make sure and seal around the valve stem before installing the new stem. He did, but still the problem exists. Could the wheel be at fault or do you think it's the tire ?

I recently ran into the same problem when I put on my winter wheels. I ended up taking it to discount tire and they said my rim was leaking. So they sanded it down and re seated the tire. All for free. This could be the issue you're having, although I feel the tire place would have noticed that, but you never know.

Have the leaking tires checked and possibly remounted at a reputable shop. I once had some tires mounted at Sam's Club. They never cleaned up all the old goop off the rims and the tires always leaked in cold weather.

Time to fill up the bath tub & see where ,dont let the wife see ya tho!

Quote, originally posted by TONY TAT2 »Time to fill up the bath tub & see where ,dont let the wife see ya tho!lol!

your using the same rims for winter and summer. my guess is nobody is cleaning the rim surface after dismounting the previous set of tires. As it's been suggested here before, take it to a different shop have them dismount the tire clean the rim and remount.

Quote, originally posted by keithvibe » take it to a different shop have them dismount the tire clean the rim and remount.This ^^^^ !!!Was it the same tire or rim each year?

I have an 07 Vibe and no TPMS...never happened until 08 as far as I know.

all comes down to rim prep when the tire gets mounted. I see people go through this all the time with budget tire shops or sub par technicians doing the work. The surface the bead is mounting to needs to be cleaned and sometimes sanded before the tire goes on. If it is valve related leak then the dude can't install valves right or your tire has some slight cracks or damage around that area. I go through dozens of tire changes per year running slicks for tracking my other ride. There is a big difference in quality when tire work is done professionally. I have had cheap places do the work before (adding a second expense of having it done again properly) and the old saying comes back to mind of "The short lived sweetness of a good deal is quickly spoiled by the bitterness of poor quality".

^^^ please don't use that... it will throw off the balance of the tire... and make it even more difficult for the next tire swap.

Thanks for all of your suggestions, I appreciate it! I have spoken with the Manager of Monroe Muffler Brake & Service, where I originally purchased the tires and he assured me that if I bring the car in that they will get to the bottom of the problem, once & for all. Thanks again, for all the responses. Merry Christmas to All & to All A Good Night !

Quote, originally posted by wt2ga »That stuff is garbage...Break the tires off the rim, wire wheel the inside lips of the rims, and use bead sealer.

...don't recommend using that SLIME stuff...some of our local tire shops will NOT service a tire/wheel with that stuff inside...too messy and troublesome they say.