Why Is My Tire Losing Air Overnight?

If you are a regular driver, you probably already know that the tires can slowly lose air, and you must replenish the air to maintain the tire’s health. Similarly, tires going flat instantly due to puncture and other issues are also uncommon. A tire will never go flat within a short period if everything is normal. There can be other instances when the tire can go suddenly flat overnight even though the tire does not leak.

As you can see, different causes may lead to tires going flat within a single night. So it is better to know about all these to ensure you are all equipped to handle the problem better!

What is Tire Pressure?

Tire pressure refers to the air pressure stored inside your car’s tire. Generally, a regular tire’s air pressure ranges from 32-40 PSI or pounds per square inch. Most tire brands have tire pressure information embedded or written on a particular part of the tire.

Why is My Tire Losing Air Overnight?

As you already know, different issues can lead to the tire getting fat overnight. It can be external damage, car damage like wheel damage, broken tire seal, temperature, and even improper tire pressure. A small amount of air loss is sometimes expected, but if the air loss is more than 10 PSI, you need to check the tire once.

Reasons for Tire Losing Air

1. Normal Air Leakage

Yes, driving frequently on rough terrain or off-road is possible. Normal leakage is also common with older tires. If the tire looks old, it is probably time to get new ones for your car!

2. Temperature Fluctuations

Temperature change or even minimal fluctuations in the temperature range can lead to hair loss, even overnight flat symptoms.

The air pressure increases and decreases according to the increase or decrease in the temperature range. It happens because when the air gets heated due to higher ambient temperature, it expands, and this, in turn, increases the PSI range. On the contrary, colder weather leads to air getting colder and denser, leading to it getting contracted and resulting in lower PSI. In general, it is estimated that with every 10 degrees F temperature decrease or increase, your car tire can lose or gain 2% of its air volume.

While smaller car tires may lose or gain 1 psi, the larger car tires may have a more significant effect- losing or gaining up to 2 psi or even more!

On top of that, the average temperature difference between the daytime and the nighttime temperature is nearly 20 degrees F.

So, if you suddenly travel to a place with a colder climate or your car is parked outside without shade for the whole night, a tire can go flat.

3. Tire Damage or Defects

A tire can also go flat if there are slow leaks that you have not noticed. Here are many underlying reasons that cause these small leaks, including-

a. Valve Stem

Slow leaks often happen if the valve stem is not in the proper condition. It can happen more frequently if the valve stem is old or has accumulated a lot of dirt. Sometimes, the slow leak happens due to a faulty valve core or damaged seal between the wheel and tire valve stem.

Usually, valve stems are made of rubber and can become damaged with age and develop cracks or loose ends, letting the tire air pass slowly without you noticing.

So, it is always better to replace the valve core if it is not working properly.

b. Puncture

Puncture in tires also causes slow air leaks. A puncture can happen in different ways. For example, due to sharp objects like nails, small stones, broken pieces of glass, metal objects, sharp pieces of wood, chips, etc. Tires may not display the leakage immediately after the puncture. But, as time passes, the tires start getting flatter.

But, in most cases, the object that caused the puncture gets stuck in the tire. It can help you to identify the puncture hole and take proper repair measurements. So, if your tire is losing more than 10 PSI air in a single day, check for signs of puncture.

c. Tire Bead

Tire bead refers to the portion of the tire that seals your tire by closely attaching it to the wheel. If the tire bead gets damaged somehow, it may cause a sudden air leak. Bead damage can happen even during the installation of a new tire. So, if you are getting a new tire, check the installation to make sure there are no chances of bead damage. If you are having tire leaks even after getting new tires, check for bead damage. Probably, the tire was damaged, even if it is new.

Bead damage can also happen when the tire is old. So make sure to replace the tire from time to time. It can also get damaged if the wheel’s bead seat gets damaged or something gets stuck there. A small inspection can help a lot.

d. Damaged Wheel

If the tire has no puncture damage but has gone flat wholly, you must check the whole condition once. Damaged, significantly bent wheels can cause tire leaks. It happens because the wheel beds damage the tire where it comes in contact.

e. Dry Rot

Tires become brittle, damaged, and cracked with time. The signs of dry rot are visible cracks on different parts of the tire. If the tire has been used for some time, it has probably become damaged and cracked, which results in sudden air loss in the tire.

4. Corroded Wheel

The wheel is probably the cause of the tire leak if you can’t find any issues with the tire. Corroded wheels damage the tires with their sharp remaining. Hence, make sure to replace the wheels if there are any signs of corrosion.

5. Poor Seal

Improperly created sealing can also cause tire leaks. It often happens if the tire is newly installed and can happen if the seal is not created properly. Seal can also get damaged with time. So, check for the seal condition. If it is done poorly, you may need to get it re-done by an expert technician.

6. Missing Valve Cap

Have you checked the valve cap? It is a protective cover that protects the valve stem from grime, dirt, and other damages. If the valve cap is absent, the valve stem becomes more vulnerable and can lead to silent and slow leaks from the tires. Hence, always check for the valve cap; if it’s damaged or absent, get a replacement as soon as possible.

7. Pinhole in Tire’s Sidewall

You have checked the tire, but there is no visible puncture or damage, yet the tire is leaking air. Probably, there is an undetected hole in the sidewall of the tire.

A sharp stone, a nail, or a curb has created a small hole in the tire, causing air leakage. In this case, proper repair is needed.

Try checking for damages with soapy water. You can create your own leak detection spray with liquid soap and water in a 3:1 ratio. Unmount the tire and spray the solution around the sidewalls. If the tire has any damage, bubbles will start to appear on that path of the tire.

8. Rim Damage

Tires can also develop leaks due to damage developed by the rim. Mainly, aluminum and magnesium alloy wheels cause this type of image. The area where the rim touches the tire bead corrodes with time and may cause the tire to lose its air and optimal air pressure. In some cases, poor casting or corrosion in the wheel rim also causes damage to the tire.

If the tires keep going flat even after proper care, get the rim checked by an experienced technician. They can help you to detect the damage. On top of that, if the rim is damaged, avoid sealing it with tire sealant. It is always better to get an expert solution for this case.

9. Pothole Damage

Damaged roads, especially those filled with potholes often damage the tire due to the potholes, the bumps, and other debris inside the potholes. Potholes can also damage the wheel and the wheel alignment, tire balance, and axles.

It causes the tire to get damaged and develop a leak.

10. Under-Inflated Tire

There is a leak in your tire and no sign of puncture? The tire does not have enough air. Under-inflated tires with less air are more prone to punctures and leakage. Hence, try to maintain the proper air level as it also helps to maintain the air pressure in tires.

11. Improper Tire Pressure

Tire pressure can cause sudden leaks in your tire. If the tire has improper tire pressure and you continue to use it, the sidewalls and treads receive more strain than the average level. It causes these sections to work under excessive pressure and may result in leaks and other issues like damage, wear, and even cracks.

So, always check the air pressure of your car tires and maintain the optimal pressure level.

How Do You Locate The Tire Air Leakage?

Before you go to a technician, you can try checking for possible places of air leakage from your car tire by following these methods-

1. Using Soapy Water or Leak-Detecting Pray

You can create a DIY leak-detecting solution by mixing 70% water and 30% liquid soap. Pour this solution into a spray bottle and spray the solution in the tire bead area or the rim. If the tire has rime or bid damage, the soapy water will get bubbles as the airflow creates bubbles while leaking out.

You can also spray the soapy water solution on the valve stem, and if bubbles appear on it, the valve is damaged, or the valve cap needs some replacement.

You can also use a store-bought leak detection spray made of water and soap in the same ratio of 3:1. You can use it in the same way as the previous method to detect the damage.

2. Submerging the Wheel into the Water

You can detach the wheel of your car and completely submerge it in a large bucket filled with water. If the tire is damaged, a water bubble will appear in that area.

3. Feel the Sound

Try listening to see if any hissing sound is coming from the tire. For this, remove the tire from the wheel and place your ear as near as possible. If there is any hissing sound coming, your tire leaks.

How Do You Fix the Tire Air Loss?

1. Regular Tire Maintenance & Inspection

You must also regularly check the tire to ensure no issue is missing your eyes. Always check for any visible damage on your tires after you drive on a bumpy road. Similarly, check the tire during climate change to ensure it doesn’t get damaged.

2. Tire Rotation & Balancing

Tire rotation and balance should also be maintained to ensure no leaks happen. It will help maintain the ideal tire tread life and prevent tread damage and leakage.

If your car comes with a user’s manual, check it to know about the tire rotation routine. If no such information is available, you can rotate the tire after driving for 5000 to 7000 miles.

Besides that, you also need to maintain proper tire alignment. If the tire alignment is improper, the tires will wear out unevenly. You must visit a shop that offers computer assistance to maintain the proper wheel alignment.

Choose the Right Tires for Driving

You must choose the right tire to ensure tires do not get damaged often. Always use genuine tires. If you travel on bumpy roads or in colder climates, you can go for special all-season tires that can be helpful.

It is always better to research and gather knowledge from experts before buying tires for your car.

1. Repair The Tire

Sometimes, repairing the tire is the easiest way to solve the leakage issue. You can use the sealants or plug kits or visit the nearest auto technician store to repair the tire.

2. Repairing The Valve System

If the valve stem is damaged, you must repair it immediately. You need to use a new tire valve core and a removal tool for this.

• First, rotate the valve removal tool to remove the valve core.
  
• If there are visible signs of rust, wipe and clean the valve stem properly. Now, insert the new valve core and inflate the tire to check if the leakage is fixed.
• Repairing or restoring the rim

If there is damage in the rime of the tire due to a bent wheel or damaged wheel. Visit a technician who can give you hydraulic-assisted repair. Please avoid hitting the wheel with hammers, as the aluminum wheels can break further due to such hitting.

If there are signs of corrosion, you can remove the tire from the wheels and clean the wheel.

Use a cleaning solution to clean the wheel, and properly remove the grease or paint. Now, use a sanding tool or sandpaper to smooth out the wheel. You should always send the areas near the rim with extra caution. Use a sanding tool with a low-speed setting or a finer sanding paper. After that, you polish the wheel with an aluminum metallic polish and apply wax if needed.

Now, take the tire to the technician and get it repaired.

3. Maintaining Proper Inflation

You need to maintain the proper inflation of the tire to maintain the air pressure. You can follow these methods-

4. Check the Tire When the Temperature Drops

You already know that the tires’ air pressure decreases when the temperature changes. So always check the tire inflation when it is cooled. Always park your car under shade and check the pressure; if you are driving for a long time in scorching heat, you can remove 2 psi and see the inflation rate.

5. Use a Properly Calibrated Gauge

While checking the inflation of the tires, always use a calibrated gauge. If the gauge is not calibrated correctly, it may give you a disputed reading, which can cause many problems. You can also visit the nearest tire station if the gauge has not been calibrated for a long time.

6. Perform Routine Checkups

Always perform routine checkups of the tire to maintain the proper inflation.

7. Utilizing a Plug Kit

If the tire leaks due to damaged sidewalls from sharp objects like nails, glass pieces, or shards of wood, you can use a plug kit. Usually, such kits come with rubber cement, different kinds of plugs, plug tools, pliers, etc, to remove the sharp object from the tire.

If you need more space, you can remove the wheel from the car using a lug wrench or a jack.

• First, detect the sharp object and remove it from the tire using the removal tool.
• Now, clear the puncture hole using the rimming tool. You should be careful and never make the hole too large, as it can cause the tire to go flat in a minute.
• Now, insert the plug in the hole and use the rubber cement to cover the tip of the plug.
• Now, push and insert the plug into the hole and pull the tool from it.
• Now, cut the plug in such a way that there is less part of it remaining, and the surface is as smooth as possible.
• In case you had removed the wheel. Reattach it again to the car
• Now, you can pump the tire and start using it again.

8. Utilizing a Sealant

If poor sealing is the reason behind the leakage, you can get the tire sealed again to prevent the leakage. Sealants work excellently if the tire has a slow air leak. For this, you must buy a post-puncture sealant recommended by the tire brand, a pressure gauge, and an air pump. Now, insert the nose of the sealant in the punctured area and start pouring it. You need to ensure that the sealant is poured correctly and coats the whole interior surface of the tire. Typically, one sealant bottle is recommended for a single tire.

Now, try pumping air inside the tire, and the sealant will get pushed toward the leak, creating a rubber plug and closing the leak. While buying a sealant, try using the ions made with propylene glycol. Ethylene-based sealants are not recommended as they can cause harm to your health and even the car tires.

Conclusion

Tires can develop leakage time due to weather change, temperature fluctuation, damaged roads, damaged valve stem or valve cap, punctures, and wheels. The leak may go unnoticed, and the tire may lose air overnight.

It is always advisable to check for tire damage if you notice the tire is losing air fast. You can use this article to learn more about the causes related to tire leakage and repair methods. If you do not manage to administer the solution, it is always better to visit a mechanic shop or the nearest tire servicing centre for the best solution.

Flat Tire – FAQs